Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 863

She was at her wit's end, muttering under her breath, "Why on earth would you say that to Sammy? You're setting a fine example!"

Ludwik retorted, "He started it with his choice of words. I'm curious, who taught him that?"

Sammy snorted, "Don't try to pin this on mom not raising me right. I picked it up from Danny. And Danny's been your shadow since he was a toddler."

Ludwik: ""

Danny: "..."

Danny was baffled, wondering how he suddenly became the scapegoat in this situation.

He frowned, glanced at his dad, and saw Ludwik staring him down. He mumbled, trying to change the subject, "Come on, Sammy. Were you and dad archenemies in a past life or something? You can't seem to stop bickering! Dad's not wrong, though. He doesn't need to sneak around; after all, mom and he know each other inside and out. How else would they have us, right, mom?"

Whitney stared at her son, her face turning beet red.

While Ludwik watched with an unashamed grin, her heart skipped a beat, and she stuttered fiercely, "Danny, watch your words. Who have you been hanging out with these days?"

Normally, she'd leave the kids with their Uncle Yael Tennyson, who she trusted not to lead them astray.

But these past few days, they stayed with the Lippert family.

Danny innocently replied, "I was just watching some TV shows with great-grandma. Oh! And that goofball Justin Lippert, he loves his Western dramas."

"Ludwik." Whitney couldn't help but turn and confront him, "How could you let our kids hang out with someone like Justin?"

Whitney still had her reservations about Justin.

"I didn't. Maybe grandma thought Justin needed some company, now that he's a bit...slow," Ludwik tried to explain.

"What's wrong with our Justin?" Riley Lippert's voice sounded from behind, clearly displeased.

Whitney's face stiffened, and she quickly turned to Ludwik.

With a raised eyebrow, Ludwik signaled her not to worry and turned to face a stern-looking Riley returning home, "Uncle, Whitney didn't mean it that way. She just had some past issues with Justin." And not just minor issues; she narrowly escaped Justin's charms...

Whitney thought to herself but kept her lips sealed.

Riley seemed to remember as well, showing a hint of embarrassment, but defended his son, "He's harmless now, his IQ's about the same as Danny's."

"That might still make Justin a bit more sensible than Danny!" Joanne Nelson couldn't bear to hear her son being called simple and looked to Whitney to correct herself.

Whitney glanced at Riley and his wife, and then at Joanne holding Justin's hand.

Indeed, Justin seemed to have lost his bearings, a sad outcome of Jarvis's actions.

She cleared her throat, intending to clarify, but Ludwik's firm hand stopped her as he turned to Justin with a slight smile, "Justin, did you bully Danny or Sammy when you played together?"

"I wanted to, but they always outsmarted me!" Justin pouted, drooling slightly, looking aggrieved.

"..." Well, that's something.

Fate works in mysterious ways, doesn't it?

Whitney sighed, nodding at Riley, trying to smooth things over, "I might have been a bit hasty earlier. I didn't mean to accuse."

Ludwik gestured towards the house, "Whitney meant no harm, she's just protective of the kids. Uncle, let's go inside and talk." Riley patted Justin's head, urging him to go inside first.

Then, glaring at Whitney and giving Ludwik a sarcastic look, he hinted, "So, you and Whitney, are you guys getting back together?" Whitney froze, about to deny it.

Danny immediately tugged at Whitney's clothes, eyes wide, "Mommy! Are you and daddy getting back together?"

"...No!"

"But I called Tiana today, and she said daddy picked you up from work himself. You've been fighting side by side these past days, rekindling your deep connection and understanding! She even gossiped that you two might get back together soon." Danny excitedly shared with Sammy, "Mom and dad are getting back together!"

"I didn't..." Whitney, flushed with frustration, wanted to silence her son.

Sammy eyed Ludwik with a serious look, who still had a smirk on his face. Enjoying the chaos, are we?

"Kids are saying it, must be true then?" Riley concluded with a smirk.

"Riley Lippert, that's not it, listen to me..." Whitney, feeling like a cornered cat, tried to clarify amidst the confusion.

Just then, an excited voice came from the doorway, "Riley, what did you say? Ludwik and the kids' mom are getting back together?"

Oh, for the love of...

Whitney turned around to see Camilla.

Natalie stood by the elder woman, silently looking at Whitney with a touch of relief but dared not speak.

Jason, standing beside the matriarch, glanced at Whitney and sighed deeply, "When adults make decisions in front of children, they must be consistent!

It's good you're reconciling, Ludwik. Danny and Sammy need to grow up in a complete family. It's crucial for their mental and physical health."

He didn't mention Whitney, directing his words at his son instead.

Camilla, all smiles, looked at Whitney warmly, "I knew I liked you for a reason, my dear granddaughter-in-law. Now that you're getting back together, make sure not to split up so easily again."

Oh, heavens, what a mess.

Whitney was dumbfounded; she had merely come to pick up the kids.

The whole family had dived headfirst into the drama, completely ignoring her attempts to set the record straight.

Before she could even catch her breath, Ludwik seriously nodded, "Grandma, dad, I've learned my lesson. I'll treasure Whitney more than ever. These past months of hardship have shown me I can't live without her." Whitney, I'll take care of myself, I promise. I won't hold you back from finding happiness...ugh!"

Once again, Ludwik's expensive handmade leather shoes bore the brunt of Whitney's frustration.

With a face full of annoyance and ears flushing red, Whitney had no choice but to clear the air in front of everyone, "Grandma, Jason, please don't get the wrong idea. Ludwik and I haven't reconciled.

I'm just here to pick up my son, that's all. Please, don't read too much into it..."

"True, we haven't gotten back together yet, but I'm on the path of winning her back. I'll do whatever it takes to make Whitney want to marry me again, Dad, Grandma, Uncle, you all can relax," Ludwik said, completely ignoring how Whitney's heels dug deeper into his foot. He licked his lips, murmuring with a mischievous undertone, "Give up, Whitney. I won't ever let go. You might as well stomp me to death." Oh, how she wished she could!

If only he wasn't so infuriatingly outspoken.

Just when she thought she could clear up the misunderstanding, it only got worse.

Of course, Camilla, upon observing Ludwik, remarked, "You should! But Grandma's on your side. Once Whitney cools down, she'll start to see you in a different light. After all, with such sensible sons, how could Whitney deny them a complete family? Isn't that right, Natalie?"

Suddenly called out by the matriarch, Natalie straightened up, startled and taken aback.