Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Ludwik arched an eyebrow and turned to the servant, "Didn't you hear the lady? Go upstairs and bring down all the maxi dresses for her to choose from."

Whitney was speechless. "That's not necessary, just grab any one of them!"

These days, she had been cold and distant, but finally, she seemed to be making a request to him, which made Ludwik think she might be slowly coming to terms with her situation.

He cheerfully tickled the sole of her foot and complimented, "Honey, you've been sunbathing for days, and you're somehow glowing even more. Only I seem to have gotten a tan. Tell me, what's your secret? Hm?"

Whitney had no interest in his sweet nothings.

"So, you like beach dresses, babe. I'll have someone order a bunch more right away."

"

Whitney thought, he's been in touch with the outside world all this time? Maybe there's even a helicopter on this island.

But she needed to find it.

"Ludwik, you said the Lippert Group is working on a chip project. Aren't you worried about it failing since you're always here, not working?"

Whitney asked, though she couldn't see his expression as she rested her head on his shoulder.

He never answered such probing questions.

"What do you want? For me to take a break from this island getaway to go back and manage the Lippert family's business, so you have a chance to escape?"

His voice deepened ominously.

Whitney fell silent.

"Don't worry, my current project is you! Since I've decided to take a holiday, I'm fully prepared. No need for your little brain to work overtime." He concluded decisively.

Whitney looked down, disheartened.

Soon, they were on a yacht, arriving at a cliff overlooking the breathtaking Demon's Eye under the sunlight, its waters calm and mirror-like. The beauty and clarity of this forgotten corner of the world struck Whitney. If only her sons were with her, it would've been an unforgettable sight. Only a man as audacious as Ludwik would dare to dive into the depths of Demon's Eye.

Whitney sat nonchalantly on the beach's edge, watching him leap into the sea with the grace of a panther, mastering the waves like the sovereign of the sea.

For a moment, she wished the Demon's Eye would swallow him whole. That way, she could escape, reunite with her sons, and not be forced into a life dictated by his whims.

But then her heart ached at the thought of her sons grieving their father.

He might be a devil, but he was good to them.

Catching her conflicted expression through the shimmering blue light, he swam back, pulling her into the water, his large hand securing her waist to steady her. He looked into her eyes, both earnest and sad, and asked, "Do you wish me dead, my love? I saw the look in your eyes. Just nod, and I'll swim to the deepest part!"

Saying so, he released her, his fit body heading towards the center of the abyss.

"Ludwik?" Whitney splashed in panic, thinking him mad.

"Do you wish me dead?" he asked again, his tender gaze filled with the sea's blue, lonely and all-encompassing.

Brushing water from her face, she retorted, "Do what you want, your life means nothing to me!"

He began to sink.

Her heart raced, unbelieving he'd dare.

Soon, he was out of sight.

In the deepest center, she dared not follow. "Ludwik? I didn't wish you dead, I just hate you so much. Ludwik? Come back up. Stop joking. Ludwik!" The sea was still, and she screamed in terror.

"Swoosh," suddenly, his familiarnoveldrama

breath was behind her, his arm

et

you

encircling he in the water, lifting her onto his waist. He turned her face towards his, his eyes dark as the abyss, and kissed her passionately, "I can't die yet, not before you bear our daughter, my darling... Did ory? Seems like, despite your hatred, you still care for me. Right now, it's only you and me in this world. When will you let go of your hatred?"

He murmured, pleading and deeply engulfing her breath.

Whitney blushed, her gaze lost in the vastness around them, truly just the two of them.

If she didn't escape, would she be forever under his spell?

She wouldn't allow it, closing her eyes, her heart coldly stated, I can't let go of my hatred for you.

As their kiss ended, Ludwik carried her towards the beach, her cheeks still flushed, feeling his immediate change.

Watching him change into dry clothes in a shaded corner, his physique signifying the vitality of a man in his prime, she knew he wouldn't spare her tonight.

She had to sustain an injury, Whitney worriedly glanced at her arm, the mark from a razor also needing concealment.

She got up, heading towards the shore's rocks, and deliberately fell into the sea, reopening the wound on her arm.

"Ah..."

Ludwik's expression changed as he rushed over and dived in after her, "Whitney! How could you be so careless? If a wave caught you, you'd be swept away!"

"I... I wanted to stand on this rock to see the fish below."

"You should've told me!" he said, paler than before, pushing her ashore to examine her wound, endlessly kissing her forehead, "Your arm is hurt! Guards, call the doctor."

Whitney remained silent.

After a while, realizing how tightly he held her, nearly suffocating her, she looked up, stunned by the profound worry and affection in his eyes. Ludwik, handling her arm gently but with a stern look, asked, "Did you hurt yourself on purpose just now?"

Whitney's heart skipped, fearing his suspicion.

He gripped her face tightly, his gaze

narrowing, "Don't do dangerous things or think about dying to escape me! Do you know you almost

scared me to death? I can't bear the pain of losing you, not even a bit. Do you understand?" Content belongs

Whitely let out a sigh of relief, realizing he thought she wanted to die, not suspecting the injury was self-inflicted.

How could she wish for death? All she wanted was to escape, to get away from him!

Yet, looking into his deep, love-filled eyes, Whitney felt a momentary confusion amidst her resolve.

She quickly averted her gaze, feeling as though a knot was tightening around her heart, pulling at the numbness within. He had Florence and the kids now. Did he truly care about her wellbeing?

She couldn't allow herself to trust him again, not after his pretense of deep affection.

As night fell, Whitney used her injury as an excuse to keep him out of the bedroom.

But the man couldn't wait any

longer, nor would he let another day

pass by without her. He swiftly pinned her down, carefully lifting her arm and gently pressing it beside her head, chuckling softly, "All you need to do is lift your leg, don't worry about your arm."

Whitney...

Fuming and on the verge of tears, her face flushed with embarrassment. She berated herself for her foolishness in choosing her arm to fake an injury.

If only she had thought it through, she would have pretended it was her leg instead!

That night, she found herself unable to escape his advances, numbly enduring his attentions.

In Emperor City.

After days of anxious waiting, Danny was finally brought by Parker to Ryan's villa, where he was reunited with Sammy!

"Little brother Sammy..." Danny rushed towards Sammy, tears streaming down his face.