Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



As Ludwik swung the door open, his sharp gaze immediately locked with Thea's.

Clutching her Hermes Birkin, Thea exuded an aura of opulence and grace, standing by the bedside a good two yards from Natalie.

Natalie was seated on the bed, her simplicity and tranquility a stark contrast to her long battle with illness. The toll of her sickness had left her gaunt and pallid. Next to Thea, she felt as if she had aged a decade.

Her demeanor was calm, with a slight, welcoming smile for her visitor, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of insecurity and unease.

Upon seeing Ludwik, Natalie's voice was soft and steady, "Ludwik, you're here. Mrs. Lippert has come to visit me..."

Ludwik's chilly demeanor took over as he stepped in, his gaze settling on Thea's smiling face, "And what exactly brings Mrs. Lippert here to visit my mother? Are you two acquainted?"

"Ludwik, please, don't jump to conclusions. As Jason's wife, it's only right that I come to check on your mother, isn't it? Jason would never show up; it's against the Lippert family's principles. I thought I'd come in his stead to show some concern," Thea replied, her voice composed and dignified, her hands clasped together.

Natalie looked down, her eyes shimmering with timidity.

To the world, Thea was Jason's legitimate wife, the lady of Harmonia Country's premier family.

And she? Just a woman who had shamefully crossed paths with Jason years ago, bearing Ludwik as a result.

The right and wrong of it all were vividly painted in Thea's words.

Ludwik glanced at his mother's expression, his eyes turning icy, "Mrs. Lippert, I think it's time for you to leave. It won't be pretty if you're still here when I lose my temper."

"Ludwik..." Natalie, wary of her son's impulsiveness, interjected, "She's family, after all. She said she came to visit me, we should be gracious hosts." Thea smirked, "See, your mother knows a thing or two about manners. Perhaps it's her years of living under someone else's roof that taught her some life lessons. It's refreshing, coming from someone of a lesser background."

Unfazed, Ludwik stepped closer to Thea, towering over her with a sneer, "I've demoted Jarvis. You're here to rub salt in the wound? Or perhaps you think bullying my mother will somehow weaken me? Let me make it clear, every action has its price. Jarvis is already paying his. What about you?"

Thea's smile faded as her eyes flickered with malice, "Why so hostile, Ludwik? Since when is it wrong for me to visit your mother in Emperor City? After all, if she ever wishes to enter the Lippert family fold, I should have a say against it to Camilla. I am Jason's wife. A mere fling doesn't have the standing to enter the Lippert family's ancestral hall or wish for any legitimate status!"

"Is this a threat?" Ludwik scoffed, grabbing Thea by the arm and dragging her towards the door, "You're overthinking it. As the CEO of Lippert Group, my mother already has a distinguished status in Harmonia Country. That alone puts her above you. You only have a daughter, no son. Relying on Jarvis, a stepson, won't make you the queen mother."

Thea's face turned ashen.

Gripping her bag tightly, her knuckles whitened with rage.

Ludwik unceremoniously threw her out.

Fuming, Thea vowed revenge. Without a son, she couldn't become the queen mother? Ludwik, how long do you think you'll hold onto the Lippert Group? The truth has a way of toppling the mighty! Her claim to the Lippert Group was undeniable!

After Thea's departure, Natalie visibly relaxed.

She hid her discomfort, looking up at her son with pride. His regal and resolute nature was ingrained in him; he was a born leader.

"I used to worry about you, returning to the Lippert family, whether you could stand your ground amidst their scheming. But seeing how you dealt with Thea, I'm not worried anymore.

Ludwik, I don't care for the Lippert family's ancestral hall. Though a part of me yearned for a title, to rid myself of the inferiority Kaden imposed on me for years. But you're right. As the CEO of the Lippert Group, what do I have to feel inferior about?

I'd rather not associate with Thea. Your father has never been in the picture, and I understand his difficulties.

I don't want to cause you trouble or stir conflict within the Lippert family. Once I'm discharged, buy me a villa, preferably close to Danny's place. I want to be near my grandson."

Ludwik listened silently, his mother's voice tender.

Different from Whitney, whose gentleness occasionally revealed a steely resolve.

It had been a while since she spoke to him with such affection.

And now, that was a thing of the past.

Whitney's public announcement of her marriage had devastated him.

Ludwik pressed his lips together, not responding to his mother's request. His gaze flickered.

Natalie seemed to read his troubled

mood, "If buying near Whitney's place is hard for you, I'll swallow.my pride. +saw the news today. Whitney and Mr. Lutz are openly dating, planning to marry!"

Sighing, Natalie grasped her son's slender, cold fingers, torn with emotion, "I've come to see Whitney as a daughter. I want her happiness, yet it pains me to see her happy with someone else.

Ludwik, I'm truly selfish... Perhaps I shouldn't interfere.

As a woman, I know letting go of the past is liberating. I ache for Whitney, and I think you've been foolish! Yet understanding your struggles with leukemia, my heart aches for you too...

If there's even a slight chance between you and her, I'd want to help you."

Ludwik's eyes blazed with a furious red tint.

He let go of his mother's hand, revealing the harsh truth, "You don't need to worry about me and her.

A month ago, she got pregnant with my child.

And then, she decided to get an abortion.

Unless she bears me a child, I will never let her go.novelbin

Don't try to help me, I only feel hatred towards her now."

He stood up, veins throbbing at his temples, struggling to contain his emotions.

"Ludwik..." Natalie's eyes widened in shock upon hearing about Whitney's pregnancy and subsequent abortion, words failing her.

Her heart ached, yet her first thought was of Whitney's well-being, "That's unacceptable, I still need to stay close. How could Whitney treat her body so recklessly?"

Ludwik looked at his mother, a cold laugh escaping him as his eyes flickered, "I'll have Felix look for a house."

An hour later, after Natalie had fallen asleep, he left the hospital room.

His phone rang with a call from Parker, "Ludwik, my guys jumped the gun. They kidnapped Ryan's daughter, faked cutting off her finger!

Ryan was so freaked out he called the cops, probably terrified of you, and scared Florence would find out, then he called off the cops.

After agonizing over it all day, he finally reached out with news about Sammy!

I'm near Ryan's place, if all goes well, we'll have Sammy back tonight..."

Ludwik's Adam's apple bobbed, his heart pounding like a heavy drum, his eyes narrowing, "I'm on my way immediately!"