Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 288

\"What do you think you're doing?\"\n\"Nothing much really, just go ahead with your wedding. We can continue our little arrangement without letting Ludwik find out, right?\"\nA mischievous glint flashed in Jarvis's eyes as he nonchalantly shut the cabin door, his lips finding Elaine's in a heated kiss while his hands firmly grasped her waist.\n\"No, you're up to no good. Let me go...\" Elaine didn't buy Jarvis's so-called harmless intentions for a second.\nShe could have chosen Ashton; that would have been simple.\nBut Jarvis was trouble with a capital T.\n\"Come on, you're hardly an innocent flower. Why pretend? You don’t want Ludwik to find out your little secret, do you?\"\nJarvis tossed her onto the couch, making a move to tear at her clothes.\n\"Stop it...\" Elaine's resistance quickly turned into something more willing.\nAfter a night of chaos, it was almost dawn before Elaine managed to drag herself out of bed, only to find Jarvis sitting at the edge with a plaintive look, \"You little devil, quite the handful.\"\nFlushing, Elaine shot him a glare, quickly dressed, and checked her phone.\nNot a single call from Ludwik.\nHer heart sank a little. Hastily showering and finding Jarvis already gone, she noticed a note he'd left behind: \"We'll be in touch.\"\nThe message was ominously vague, carrying a heavy threat.\nJarvis was a man with dubious intentions... Despite their closeness, Elaine felt uneasy.\nShe hurriedly left the bar, sunglasses on, making her way back to Everwood Villa Estate in the early morning.\nThinking everyone was still asleep, she tiptoed in, changing her shoes, planning to slip upstairs for a quick outfit change.\nUnexpectedly, she was greeted by a little figure in the living room.\nDaniel, who usually woke up early from his room, stared coldly at Elaine as she walked in.\nNoticing her crumpled collar, he unusually raised his voice, \"Were you out thieving? Sneaking around!\"\nStartled, Elaine was about to lose her temper.\nLudwik, having just dressed upstairs, heard his son and quickly came down, \"What's wrong, Danny?\"\n\"She was thieving, sneaking back in!\"\nDaniel, with his milk in hand, pointed accusingly at Elaine.\n\"...\" Elaine could have torn the little brat apart.\nUsually silent as a mouse, but now, of all times, he decided to be vocal.\nLudwik's sharp gaze settled on Elaine.\nShe was too tired from the night, barely able to stand Ludwik's scrutiny.\n\"Didn't come home last night, Elaine?\" Ludwik asked indifferently, seemingly not too bothered.\nIf it weren't for her unchanged clothes, he might not have even noticed.\nHis casual tone made Elaine's already guilty conscience plummet.\nShe hadn't come home, and it seemed he hardly cared.\nFeeling like a weight was lodged in her throat, Elaine stumbled through her lie, \"Didn't I say I was out chatting with friends? Ended up staying at Endora's place...\"\nLudwik's gaze shifted away from her, uninterested. He turned on the TV, casually asking:\n\"Who's Endora?\"\n\"...\" Elaine's face stiffened, her fists clenched.\nOver the past three years, she had shared her life with him, but what did he remember?\nHe didn't even recall Endora, whom she'd mentioned frequently recently.\nElaine realized something; Ludwik might say he cared, but he paid no real attention to her life.\nWhat did that mean? Panic set in. Truly caring for someone wasn't what he was showing; his protection, his affection, seemed more like a duty.\nTaking a deep breath, Elaine explained gently, \"Endora is a friend I met in Banyan City, Parker's fiancée...\"\nJust then, the TV's morning news showed a grand opening ceremony for Skye Gem Ltd., surrounded by a throng of suited elites. Whitney, stunning in a light mauve dress and matching heels, was cutting the ribbon, her figure radiant.\nBeside her stood Bryce, mature and composed.\n\"The newly operational Skye Gem Ltd. goes public today, with Whitney at the helm. She's enlisted the Lutz Group's president as chief advisor for the ribbon-cutting ceremony...\"\nOnline comments speculated on Whitney's prowess for reclaiming the company from Mr. Lippert and hinted at a long-standing relationship between her and Bryce, stirring fans into a frenzy for the couple to wed.\nLudwik's face darkened at the sight, his patience wearing thin.\nElaine, watching Whitney glow on screen, felt a wave of jealousy. The tension in the room was palpable as she added fuel to the fire, \"Ms. Valentine and Bryce do look quite the pair...\"\n\"Are you blind?\"\n\"What kind of taste is that?\"\nBoth Ludwik and Daniel's chilly responses echoed through the room simultaneously.\nLudwik's anger was barely contained, his temper flaring at the unwelcome commentary.\nDaniel glared at Bryce with equal disdain before turning his irritation towards Elaine.\nElaine, ever the instigator, found herself at the receiving end of a joint rebuke from father and son, leaving her with a sour taste in her mouth and a scowl that deepened by the second.\n\"Ludwik, let me whip up some breakfast for you...\"\n\"No need.\"\nLudwik was too fed up to even think about breakfast. His icy gaze briefly flickered to the TV, which announced that the ribbon-cutting ceremony would continue until noon, followed by a celebratory lunch for the management of Skye Gem Ltd. at the Christian Restaurant.\nWith a cold flicker in his eyes, he grabbed his briefcase and headed for the door.\nBefore leaving, he shot a stern look at his son. \"Danny, you're either coming to the office with me or you're off to preschool. But you're not staying home. This isn't some fortress where you can avoid the real world.\"\n\"Hmph.\" Daniel pouted, clearly unhappy with his dad's insistence.\nHe thought he was doing the old man a favor, keeping an eye out for Elaine's scheming.\nBut without a word from Sammy, he was at a loss for what to do next.\nHe couldn't just go to the office and be under his dad's watchful eye; meeting up with Sammy would be a nightmare.\n\"I'll... head to preschool later.\"\n\"Make sure you do.\"\nWith a final word of advice, Ludwik left.\nDaniel didn't even spare Elaine a glance as he headed upstairs, leaving her alone in the living room, fuming at the sight of Whitney assuming the chair position on the TV screen.\nThe ringing of her phone broke the tension.\nIt was Delphine calling suddenly.\nWith a frown, Elaine retreated to a separate bedroom to answer. \"What's up, mom?\"\n\"Why didn't you answer my call last night? There's been trouble at the Banyan City Jail.\" Delphine's tone was far from pleased.\nElaine was skeptical. \"What kind of trouble could there be? Keegan's locked up tight, nobody can see him.\"\nConfident in the arrangements she'd made behind the scenes—bribing the warden under Ludwik's name—Elaine was sure of her control.\n\"But last night, Whitney managed a secret visit with Keegan and wasn't discovered until a guard informed your father this morning!\"\n\"What?\" Elaine's composure shattered. \"How is that possible?\"