Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 310

"Shush," Cherry scrunched her eyebrows in a serious manner, "Even though I have no clue what twins are, I won't tell. We're in this together!"

Danny rarely relaxed his furrowed brows, finding her naively charming.

"Back to business, Danny," after a brief tease with Cherry, Sammy pulled out his modified laptop from his backpack.

Upon opening it, they were shocked to see the live feed from the surveillance camera in the penthouse suite upstairs!

Danny was impressed, giving his little buddy a thumbs up, "Wow, you actually managed to sneak into Elaine's room and plant a camera?"

"Hmph, if she's up to no good, I'm not just gonna sit around!"

The three kids huddled together, six wide eyes glued to the screen.

"Let's see what this wicked woman is up to," Sammy said.

But suddenly, in the monitor, Elaine approached their dad, Ludwik, and hugged his tall, imposing figure. Ludwik's ears turned red. What was going on?

Sammy and Danny exchanged puzzled looks, instinctively covering Cherry's eyes with their hands.

"Hey, hey... Why can't I watch?" Cherry struggled, her round face twisting.

Sammy frowned, "Why's this bad woman making dad look all feverish? No way, I need to check this out! Danny, we split up. You go to mom, make sure this woman doesn't get to her!"

"Got it!"

In the penthouse suite, Ludwik felt his head buzzing with heat, swiftly spreading throughout his body. He thought the heating was cranked up too high, loosening his tie to reveal a well-defined collarbone, yet still puzzled.

Until Elaine approached him, her eyes deep pools of concern, "Ludwik, you're sweating. Do you need to take a shower?"

Ludwik fixed his gaze on her. His body reacted swiftly, his handsome face slightly darkening as he forcefully grabbed her wrist when she reached out.

"Elaine, what did you do to me?"

"Me? Nothing!"

Elaine looked innocent, her fingers reaching to unbutton his shirt, "Ludwik, you're burning up... Let me check on you, okay?"

"Back off."

Ludwik shivered with cold, yet the woman's body was oddly enticing. This need, he knew all too well, was just like that first time with Whitney three years ago, under the influence of a drug!

"Are you playing me?" Anger flared in Ludwik, "Even if you're desperate, this is foolish. You know I hate being manipulated!"

"I didn’t..."

"Mr. Lippert, I'm sorry, it was the milk, it was all my doing!"

That's when Lyra rushed in, falling to her knees, tearfully confessing.

Ludwik paused, "You did this?"

Elaine feigned shock, "Lyra! Why would you do such a thing?"

Lyra slapped herself, crying out to Ludwik, "Mr. Lippert, I saw how miserable Elaine was, hiding in her room, crying because you've been distant. And the doctor said she has only one kidney, and it would be harder for her to conceive as she gets older! Mrs. Zane is even more anxious, they're not getting any younger and had all their hopes on you. I just thought, I could help Elaine! Punish me if you must, Elaine is innocent, it was all my fault..."

"Lyra, are you crazy? I love Ludwik too much, but I didn’t want you to do this, it makes me lose my dignity..."

Elaine wept, hugging Lyra.

Ludwik watched them, frustrated yet helpless.

"Elaine, I..."

"Ludwik, if you're unwilling, I won't force you. But I'm so afraid, the later it gets, the less likely I’ll be able to conceive. If I can't have a child with you, I'd rather die... How will I explain this to my parents... Ludwik, please pity me, give me a child! It’s inevitable anyway..."

Elaine sobbed pitifully, clinging tightly to his muscular waist, her proximity and the allure of his masculinity making her want to throw him onto the bed right then.

Sneaking a glance at Ludwik, Parker sighed internally at the predicament.

"You mean to tell me you have zero interest in Elaine? Even your little scheme didn't work?"

Ludwik, his handsome face scowling, leaned heavily against the wall. He hadn't confessed to Parker that it wasn't just Elaine; he felt disconnected from other women, too.

"What now?" Parker continued, "Whitney is here, in the hotel."

"Shut up!" Ludwik snapped, his temper flaring like a cornered leopard.

"Uh oh, got your sights on her?" Parker teased, his eyes gleaming with mischief as if he'd stumbled upon some juicy gossip.

"I did not," Ludwik denied, leaning against the wall and lighting a cigarette, his fingers crushing it in his agitation.

He wouldn't admit it.

Yet, Parker chuckled softly, shaking his head, "Your body doesn't lie, man. Just the mention of her gets you all fired up. Let me ask you something, Ludwik?"

Ludwik's forehead glistened with sweat, his lips pressed tightly together, clearly not in the mood for Parker's banter. "Move," he demanded.

But Parker stayed put, his voice sharp with intrigue, "When you first felt the effects, who did you think of?"

Ludwik remained silent, his chiseled face darkening further.

Parker smirked, seemingly finding his answer. "You know, Ludwik, maybe you haven't realized it yet, but you don't hate Whitney as much as you claim. Your physical reaction is the most honest feedback. When we truly despise someone, we don't even entertain the thought."

Ludwik's mind raced, a mix of confusion and denial swirling within him before settling back into a cold indifference.

"I'm heading to the pharmacy for some over-the-counter relief," he said, his voice calm but his stride quick with irritation.

Parker, leaning against the doorway, whistled nonchalantly, his gaze suddenly catching Whitney stepping out of the elevator.

And her destination? Seemed she was also headed to the pharmacy outside the hotel.