Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 756

Whitney's heart skipped a beat as she fumbled with her words, barely registering Bryce's smooth voice saying, "It's noon, time for lunch. How about joining me, Whitney?" Oh, shoot!

In her state of panic, Ludwik hadn't budged, leaning in with a roguish grin, "Should I hide now?"

Whitney wanted to throttle him for looking so smug about potentially being caught in a scandal.

Fuming yet realizing hiding Ludwik might make her look guiltier, she was caught in a dilemma. If Bryce saw Ludwik, misunderstandings were bound to arise.

Lost in her thoughts, Ludwik had already slipped into her lounge, his familiarity with the place almost making Whitney question his intentions.

Before Whitney could compose herself, Bryce walked in, "Why so quiet, Whitney?"

Ludwik's lunchbox was still on her desk, unattended.

Thankfully, the bouquet she tossed under the desk remained unseen.

Whitney, uneasy, managed to say, "I was just..."

Bryce's gaze fell on the lunchbox, his expression turning cold, "Whose lunch is this? Ludwik's?"

Caught off guard, Whitney scrambled for an excuse, "No, Cody grabbed some food for me from the cafeteria... By the way, Bryce, how did you know he was here at Sheldon Group?" Bryce paused, then shared, "Heard security mention a stranger at the company. Just guessed it might be him. Has he left?"

"Yes... I didn't let him up here." Whitney avoided looking towards the lounge, her nerves shot. "Good." Bryce surveyed the office, suddenly asking, "It smells nice in here, got fresh flowers?" "No!" Whitney almost tripped over the hidden roses.

"Let's head out for lunch then," Bryce suggested, seemingly oblivious to Whitney's turmoil.

As Whitney panicked about Ludwik hidden in the lounge, Bryce made his way there. To Whitney's relief, Ludwik was nowhere to be seen, likely hiding in the closet.

Feeling Bryce's suspicion, Whitney was torn between outing Ludwik or keeping quiet.

Bryce then led her out without further ado, his attention apparently elsewhere.

"Bryce, let's take lunch to my dad in the hospital. He's been asking about you," Whitney suggested, eager to divert from her chaotic office scene.

They grabbed takeaway and Whitney texted Cody in desperation: "Check on Ludwik in my lounge, get him out."

Cody's response was less than helpful, mentioning Ludwik's audacious plan to nap on Whitney's bed and even take a shower.

Whitney was livid, her embarrassment peaking when she received a provocative photo from Ludwik, flaunting his post-shower look in her bed, teasing her with his forwardness.

She responded with a blunt "Get out!" just as Bryce questioned her phone usage, mistaking her distraction for disinterest in their date.

Apologizing, Whitney promised to focus, quickly deleting the incriminating photo.

Upon reaching the hospital, Bryce's demeanor softened. Together, they entered Hudson's room, Whitney's turmoil momentarily forgotten in the warmth of family unity, despite the undercurrents of her chaotic personal life. Bryce walked in like the world's best son-in-law, his hands deftly unpacking a picnic basket, laying out sandwiches and pouring soup with careful attention.

Whitney watched his thoughtful actions, reminded of how he had taken care of Danny and Sammy at her uncle's house during Thanksgiving.

Her heart stirred with complex emotions. Bryce was wonderful, yet she found herself entangled with Ludwik.

Even at the party last night, Ludwik had kissed her, declaring amidst the chaos that he intended to win her back after their near-death experience. For a moment, her heart had been thrown into turmoil by his words.

She blinked rapidly, agitated.

Hudson caught her silence, "Whitney, why so quiet since you arrived?"