Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 872

Whitney stood there, dazed, glancing down at her midi skirt that barely brushed her knees.

She was utterly speechless.

Is he out of his mind?

"Ludwik, if you're sick, go see a doctor, don't nitpick on me."

Whitney snapped back, her cheeks flushed with anger, "I'm begging you, all the women in the office dress like this, so what's the problem with me? Don't start trouble for no reason, will you?"

She felt he was just looking for trouble.

This guy really had some nerve. He hadn't even won her back yet and here he was, nitpicking?

Ludwik stared deeply into her innocent and angry eyes.

This woman was so naive, still oblivious to what he was actually concerned about.

Damn it, his gaze drifted to her shapely legs, his eyes warming up as he fought the urge to touch, and reminded her in a low voice, "Can't you dress like the other women? Tall and slender, when other women wear skirts to their knees, yours rides up, and then you let Danny wrap his arms around your thighs. Do you have any idea how many eyes were on you in the diner?"

His dark gaze swept the surroundings.

Indeed, some men quickly averted their eyes, as if intimidated by him.

Whitney, realizing belatedly, glanced around, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.

Was he complimenting her or criticizing her?

Feeling the warmth of his large hand on her lower back, she shivered slightly, afraid his hand might wander further under her blazer, and immediately stepped away, "Don't talk nonsense, I'm just dressed normally. What's the big deal with a pencil skirt? How is that any of your business?"

"Do you want to attract men?" He instantly darkened.

His handsome face shadowed with jealousy.

Seeing his imposing figure, Whitney was initially scared, but then, noticing his sulking lips, she couldn't help but find amusement, defiantly retorting, "So what if I do? I'm about to be single again."

Ludwik's eyes flashed with anger, "Who helped you get single again?

I helped you get single, so you could marry another man?"

He was furious, feeling the pain of digging his own grave, his gaze dangerous.

Whitney realized teasing him was a bad idea. Knowing what he might do if he believed she was actually looking for someone else scared her.

She recoiled a bit, although not backing down entirely, she was clearly at a disadvantage, "Watch your language, the kids are right there."

"You're ungrateful, Whitney."

Truly angry now, his gaze turned cold.

Whitney coughed lightly, shrugging, "Bryce and I were bound to divorce, with or without your help. It was just a matter of time.

Besides, you forced Bryce into this divorce for your own selfish reasons.

I don't owe you any gratitude, so how can I be ungrateful?"

Ludwik wouldn't let her become a free spirit post-divorce. Although she wasn't surrounded by admirers yet, he sensed a threat looming.

He grabbed her delicate hand tightly, "I'll have the court file for divorce tomorrow, start the proceedings. It won't be hard to get a one-sided divorce!

But if you think about meeting new men after the divorce, squash that thought now."

"Ludwik, what I hate most is your domineering attitude," Whitney retorted angrily, pouting, "So you do one thing for me, and I should submit and sell myself to you?

Am I doomed to be unwanted by men for the rest of my life?

Never mind what I think, but if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have married Bryce in the first place.

What you're doing now, isn't it just to atone for your sons?"

Ludwik's gaze softened at her pitiful look, his arrogance fading. He had deluded himself into thinking that with their frequent meetings and the big favor he had done for her, she would surely feel grateful to him. Maybe she was verbally refusing to reconcile, but he hoped her heart felt differently.

He was wrong. Her hurt and grievances wouldn't fade so quickly.

And she was right, everything he was doing now was merely atonement.

If he hadn't mistakenly trusted Florence back then, none of this would have spiraled out of control.

"Alright." He softened his tone, not wanting to upset her any further, "I am atoning. I'll do everything I can to make it up to you and our sons for the three years I missed.

But I won't force you with favors.

However, I will crush every single suitor that comes near you!

That's my own capability, and you can't complain. I don't believe, with the reputation of Harmonia Country's top bachelor, anyone dares to approach you."

Whitney pursed her lips, no longer wanting to engage in conversation.

It was all the same to him, unyielding and tyrannical.

She shook off his hand and walked away to sit with her sons.

"Go get some snacks for Mommy, she loves tofu, dessert, and spicy hot pot," Ludwik also came over, crossing his legs elegantly and calmly.

Whitney ignored him, just a wolf in sheep's clothing, pretending for the kids.

Sammy looked up at his sulky Mommy, pondering, "Why should we fetch food? You should do it for Mommy. Isn't that what you're supposed to do?" Ludwik just wanted to get rid of the two little 'light bulbs' to continue coaxing Whitney.

He coughed, turning to Danny, "Didn't you say you wanted to make Mommy happy? Go with your brother."

"Sammy, let's go get the food!" Danny was eager, whispering to Sammy, "This way, I can sneak some ice cream."

"..." Damn, this gluttonous traitor.

Sammy had no choice but to stand up, climb out of his chair, and go with his brother to fetch food.

Then, Ludwik straightened up, his lips curving into a smirk as he looked at Whitney, "Could you grab me a cigarette from my blazer pocket?"

Whitney frowned slightly, reaching into his blazer with impatience.

After rummaging around, she didn't find the cigarette pack but instead touched a small, soft velvet box.

Her fingertips explored it, and catching a glimpse of Ludwik's deep, ocean-like gaze, her heart skipped a beat, suddenly feeling uneasy and hesitant to pull it out.

"Did you find the cigarette?" Ludwik leaned in closer, his towering presence enveloping her like a warm wall.

His breath tickled Whitney's fair neck, making her slightly uncomfortable.

Dodging slightly, Whitney tried to pull her hand away from the box, but Ludwik quickly wrapped his arm around her waist, catching her small hand in his. With a teasing smile, he fished the object out of his pocket, "Looks like you've found my little treasure. Hand it over, darling."

"I don't..." Whitney resisted, unsure of his intentions and not at all fond of his slick demeanor.

But she couldn't match his strength, and he managed to extract the box from her grasp.

The box, covered in luxurious blue velvet, sparked fear in her-fearing it was an engagement ring, her mind raced, and she blurted out before she could stop herself, "Ludwik, I can't accept this!" Click-

The box snapped open, revealing a stunning sapphire necklace.

Seeing her stiff expression, Ludwik couldn't help but smirk mischievously, leaning closer, "Oh? What did you think it was? Just a sapphire pendant, nothing more. I designed it myself.

Darling, did you really think I was going to give you..."

"Stop!"