Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 315

Ludwik's face went pale.

"It's impossible. All love was replaced by hatred three years ago when she caused the death of one of my sons!"

His denial was cold, his gaze frosty. He conveniently forgot the satisfaction and shiver that coursed through him when he had impulsively hugged Whitney the night before. He forgot how absurdly he had whispered that he missed her.

"Stop it, it was just the drugs talking." He was merely infatuated with her body. Forgiving her? Only if his son could be brought back to life!

He downed his drink and stood up, feeling colder than ever. Parker sighed, understanding his pain. If he had lost one of his twin sons, he wouldn't be able to let it go easily either.

"What about Elaine..."

"Keep it from her for now... just say I went to the hospital." Guilt briefly crossed Ludwik's face.

"You're such a jerk."

"And you're not? Engaged to Endora and yet you're still snooping around Tiana."

"I..." Parker's face turned sour. "Why would I care about that woman?"

"Hah," Ludwik scoffed, a warning in his tone. "Just don't spill anything to Elaine. Besides, it's all before the wedding, it's not cheating."

Damn, the bar for being a jerk just got raised. Yet, Parker laughed, "Ludwik, haven't you noticed how casually you treat Elaine? You're fulfilling a duty without your heart in it."

"Who says I don't care about her," Ludwik muttered coldly, more to himself than to Parker, before walking away. Parker shook his head. Love truly blinds.

---

Early in the morning, around 6:30, the hotel parking lot was deserted. Watching three kids sneak out, the bodyguard pretended not to notice and called Bryce.

"Mr. Lutz, the two boys are together now, and Ms. Valentine isn't around. Perfect timing..."

Bryce, in Banyan City, pondered for a moment before responding, "Go ahead, lure Elaine there."

After the call, Bryce got dressed, the morning light casting a soft glow on his light blue shirt, mixing warmth with a chill. Whitney still had a son with Ludwik, and though she didn't know now, that didn't mean she wouldn't find out in the future. Cutting ties with Ludwik would be harder with two sons involved...

Bryce didn't want any complications in his pursuit of Whitney, and this was also a perfect opportunity to create trouble for Elaine. A cold, vengeful glint passed through his eyes. Ludwik had used his connections to suppress him in Emperor City three years ago. That grudge wasn't forgotten.

---

Elaine woke up exhausted, only to find Daniel missing! The house was in chaos, all the servants searching for him. If she lost the kid, not only would her night's vigil be in vain, but how would she explain it to Ludwik?

Just then, a hotel waiter appeared at the door. "Miss, are you looking for a boy, around three or four years old?"

"Our young master, where is he?" Lyra responded immediately.

"Some staff saw him in the underground parking lot. We're worried he might wander off on his own."

Elaine's face darkened, and she rushed down to the parking lot following the waiter's directions. It wasn't even seven, the lot empty, the morning light pouring in from the street.