Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 780

On the side of the road.

Shane caught Whitney just as she was about to leave, rolling his eyes teasingly at her, "I roped Ronan in tonight to do you a solid, not to have you go and bite his head off. You've just given his darling daughter a piece of your mind, and he's definitely going to make you pay for it.

This could even spell trouble for Sheldon Group.

You're too quick with your comebacks, not knowing when to hold your tongue."

Whitney just shrugged, "I couldn't just back down in that situation, or else Elodie would be all over town saying I'm having a secret affair with Ludwik... Besides, Sheldon Group's business dealings don't mix with the Miller family anyway. I'm not one to kiss up to anyone, 'agree to disagree' as they say." "You might not be one to kiss up, but some people have to," Shane said, casting a meaningful glance at Bryce inside the car.

Turning her head, Whitney saw Bryce sitting in the driver's seat, his expression unreadable, but she could tell he was not pleased.

"I'd better go." She feared that staying and chatting with Shane any longer would only upset Bryce more.

Whitney turned around and got back into the car.

Bryce started the engine, turning to her, "What did Mr. Nelson want with you?"

Trying to sound exasperated, Whitney replied, "Just some stuff about the party, got a bit of an earful from him."

Bryce's handsome face turned cold as he pressed, "What exactly happened tonight? Why did Ronan 'ask' us to leave before the party was over?"

He emphasized 'ask', and Whitney could feel his displeasure.

She sighed lightly, "Maybe because I'm Ludwik's ex-wife, Elodie kept targeting me at the party, looking for trouble. After several rounds of that, I finally clashed with her, which upset Ronan." She offered a subtle apology, "Sorry, Bryce, for the trouble."

Bryce's fists clenched silently.

This woman, always more trouble than she's worth!

He had no idea how much effort he'd put into currying favor with Ronan, how many gifts he'd sent, just to get a foot in their circle. And she had to ruin it all so carelessly.

He swallowed his anger, afraid that speaking would reveal his frustration.

An awkward silence fell in the car.

Whitney felt increasingly uncomfortable, so she turned to him and said quietly, "Bryce, I get you want to please Ronan, but someone as scheming and vindictive as him is no good." Considering he raised Elodie to be so spoiled, showing clear favoritism without regard for others' dignity, it was clear what kind of person he was.

"Whitney, you don't understand!" Bryce snapped, his voice cold, "People in Ronan's position are never simple. It's normal for them to be aloof and unkind.

Forget it... you wouldn't understand. I'll apologize to Ronan for you. If you don't like the Miller family's gatherings, I won't bring you next time, so you don't have to feel uncomfortable." After saying that, he looked out the window, cutting off any further conversation.

Whitney sensed his real anger, his restraint towards her, seemingly.

She looked down, not wanting to argue and provoke him further. Her silhouette reflected in the window merged with the neon lights speeding by outside.

Her thoughts drifted, uncontrollably replaying the events in the restroom...

Ludwik's passionate kisses, her hands wrapped around his neck, and eventually collapsing onto him...

Those moments were heart-racing, her mind a whirlwind of confusion.

Thankfully, she had managed to help him out of a sticky situation before promptly making him exit through the bathroom window.

She had anticipated Elodie's return and the night had been fraught with danger. Fortunately, they had managed to escape Elodie's wrath and leave smoothly.

But now, thinking back on going out of her way for Ludwik, it seemed she could no longer use the excuse of helping him out of goodwill.

She felt lost.

Perhaps she had grown too accustomed to Ludwik's presence. Even after their divorce, being intimate with him didn't repulse her, unlike the aversion she felt when Bryce touched her. Once again, she felt uncertain about her marriage to Bryce.

Regardless of whether Bryce had anything going on with Audrey or his involvement in Tiana's disappearance, putting all that aside, Whitney felt she couldn't continue with Bryce. She decided to find a time to discuss divorce.

The ride home was silent.

Upon arriving, Bryce immediately grabbed his phone and headed to his study, apparently still dealing with the fallout from leaving the party early.

Whitney silently went upstairs, first to the guest bathroom to brush her teeth and shower.

As she saw her reflection in the mirror, her lips slightly swollen from someone's kisses, Whitney's face flushed with anger and embarrassment.

In frustration, she brushed her teeth thoroughly, hoping to wash away the remnants of that man's scent.

Just as she was battling with herself, Ludwik called.

Startled, Whitney glanced at the number, her anger flaring.

She promptly hung up.

Yet, the persistent caller tried again, and after two more attempts, a text came through: "Babe, made it home safe. Thanks for tonight, didn't expect you'd... help me out like that. Love you." Whitney's heart raced, her face burning as she tossed her phone aside.

That shameless rogue, daring to send such a brazen message!

Biting her lip in frustration, she splashed her face with cold water, trying to quench the heat on her cheeks.

Seconds later, her phone buzzed again, another message from Ludwik: "Looking so forlorn... Why won't you reply? Whitney, are you blushing?"

Enough.

Whitney, utterly fed up, trembled as she typed a single word in response: Go away.

Ludwik: "I'm not going anywhere. I'll never leave your side again, because you've saved me once more. That's the third time you've been my guardian angel, Whitney. I owe you my life. How about I devote myself to you forever?" "Not happening. Zip it."

After giving Ludwik a piece of her mind, Whitney felt her heart pounding like a drum solo in a rock concert.

She bit her lip, pressing the phone against her chest, still feeling her heart racing, all flustered because of that charmer.

Just then, the guest room door swung open!

Seeing Bryce stride in, Whitney's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly set the phone on the bathroom counter.

At the same time, she frowned. Why had Bryce started barging in without knocking lately?

It looked like she'd need to install a lock on that door.

"Whitney, who were you talking to on the phone? Why are you all flushed?" Bryce asked, his gaze as sharp as ice.