Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 873

He grinned mischievously, continuing to tease her, "Thought I was about to give you a ring? Feeling all that pressure and maybe a tad hopeful?"

"Hopeful? Are your eyes malfunctioning?" she retorted, furious at his playful torment. Did he find it amusing to see her flustered?

Whitney's cheeks flushed with anger as she lashed out, "Ludwik, you sure know how to play the dating game, huh? This whole gift-giving act is so outdated, it's cringeworthy. Or do you think I should be flattered just because it's a creation by the world-renowned Ludwik?" Ludwik found himself at a loss for words, his striking features darkening slightly.

Did she just call his dating tactics old-school?

She didn't seem to think so three years ago when Parker suggested he set up a dazzling display of diamonds across the square to confess his feelings. Though she never admitted it, she was secretly impressed. Now, she seemed utterly disgusted by him.

A faint blush crept over Ludwik's handsome face as he roughly placed the sapphire in her delicate hand, saying irritably, "Just take it! Not every woman gets the privilege of receiving something I personally designed." Whitney, undeterred, shot back, "Not every woman? Like how you personally helped Florence with her jewelry exhibition strategy just to beat me and win her shares in the competition?" Ludwik inwardly cursed. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot.

Embarrassed and caught in his own trap, he clumsily coughed and grabbed her hand, saying, "Darling, if I could redo those mistakes, I wish they never happened. I'm an idiot."

"Enough," Whitney coldly attempted to withdraw her hand, "Spare me the act. I'm not buying it."

"You're not into this act, so what are you into?"

He didn't let go, instead caressing her hand gently and bringing it closer to his lips.

After a tender kiss on the back of her hand, his actions weren't lewd but carried an innate dominance and charm.

Whitney's skin burned at his touch, struggling to pull away.

But he persisted, his handsome lips grazing her hand softly, his gaze fixated on her dark eyes as he whispered huskily, "What do you enjoy, huh? Darling..."

"Ludwik!" Whitney couldn't pretend to misunderstand the darkening look in his eyes.

This damned man, suddenly turning the conversation salacious.

He quickly backtracked, only having kissed her hand yet finding himself lost in desire, and said seriously, "I was asking about food, don't get the wrong idea. Even if you did, you wouldn't indulge me now, would you?

By the way, the doctor mentioned my treatment actually needs you to 'wake' me up, in the way I just suggested."

"Are you ever going to stop?" Whitney was well aware of what he implied.

After all, she had been a medical professional herself.

Her cheeks burning, she watched their two sons excitedly choosing their meals, occasionally glancing over and smiling at her.

Yet here she was, trapped in a discussion on a topic she wished to avoid with the father of her children.

Feeling utterly embarrassed, she felt lured into a conversation she had no control over and protested, "Ludwik, say one more word and you can forget about this dinner as a token of my gratitude."

"Alright, I'll keep quiet," he conceded, seeing the opportunity to retreat. "I didn't say much, just updating you on the treatment progress. If my darling isn't willing to help, then I'll just have to do it myself, keeping it 'active' so it's ready whenever you might want to use it. I don't really mind, given my age, I'm not the hot-headed youth who can't control himself anymore."

...

Didn't she just tell him to shut it?

Whitney was beyond frustrated, finding his justifications shameless and herself feeling like a cooked lobster, "You sure have the nerve to claim indifference."

"Truly indifferent. Without you, I don't even feel like it.

But with you around, just a whiff of your scent makes me lose control, I can't even glance your way."

In the end, Whitney covered her face and fled to her sons, refusing to engage in any more futile conversation with him.

Ludwik watched her rushing figure, a man's heart stirred, knowing if she was truly indifferent, she wouldn't have fled so far.

A little liar, it seems she wasn't completely immune to him after all.

He just needed to persist on this shameless path, wear her down with a mix of tenderness and perseverance until he won her back.

-

After a family dinner, Whitney planned to take the kids to wash their hands.

Danny held onto his mom's hand, but Sammy hesitated, looking back at Ludwik settling the bill, and said, "Mommy, that jerk offended you earlier. I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind! You take Danny to the washroom." "Uh..." Whitney admired her son's ability to settle scores.

"Okay," she agreed, knowing fully well Ludwik needed to be put in his place by their son for overstepping boundaries.

As Whitney disappeared, Sammy approached Ludwik, tapping him on the leg, "Ludwik!"

"Weren't you calling me 'Daddy' now?" Ludwik, having paid, turned to his son with a frown.

"If you're rude to Mommy, why should I be polite to you?" Sammy's young face turned serious.

Ludwik gulped, playing dumb, "Son, when was I rude to her?"

"I might not interfere with your relentless pursuit of Mommy, but don't get too physical. Always touching her hands, hugging her waist, I'll still deal with you!"

Ludwik felt embarrassed, his paternal authority challenged, "You shouldn't always be watching me. Your mommy and I have our ways of communicating. A little hug and cuddle help build affection! Otherwise, how am I ever going to win her back?" "You're just trying to force your way, don't think I don't know. Mommy doesn't like it."

She does like it.

Ludwik thought to himself, his eyes narrowing, knowing Whitney was familiar with his body.

But he couldn't disclose such things to his son, quickly changing the subject, "You didn't pull your mom aside just to scold me, did you?"

Father and son, both cunning, shared a look.

Sammy stepped aside to a secluded spot in the restaurant's hallway.

Ludwik, with a quick stride, pulled his son into an embrace, "Speak up."

Sammy whispered seriously, "You cornered Bryce today, and he still refused to talk. It's not your fault."

Ludwik's eyes darkened, "Daddy's already working with Mr. Doonan to find clues about Florence."

Bryce was guarding her whereabouts like it was Fort Knox, and I couldn't shake off the feeling there was some shady motive behind it. This wasn't just about a kid, that much was clear."

Sammy nodded earnestly, his eyes sharpening with realization. "You know what, I just remembered, Florence has been poking around about plastic surgery for about a month now. I couldn't figure out why. It's not like she's trying to win a beauty pageant, especially not while she's pregnant. And yeah, I've been tailing her to a couple of those clinics."

"Plastic surgery?" Ludwik's brow furrowed deeply, baffled. "Sammy, do me a favor and spill the details on those clinics she visited. We might just find a lead!"

"That's exactly why I came to you. Maybe we can figure out the game she and Bryce are playing. Why on earth she'd need surgery."

Ludwik nodded, about to dive deeper into the conversation when he caught sight of Whitney coming out with Danny in tow. He quickly changed the subject, "Let's table this discussion. Hit me up later, just you and me."