Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 193

Ludwik frowned as he watched Whitney walk with an exaggerated sway in her step.

He moved closer, taking her delicate hand in his. His brow arched with a mocking challenge, “You want

me to take this, so why not give it to me yourself?”

Was he deliberately picking a fight?

“Wasn’t it you who refused to take it?” Whitney shot back with a hint of sarcasm.

Ludwik’s voice turned icy, “As if you’d dare poison me.”

Whitney’s heart ached. He would rather believe Elaine’s lies than trust in her remedies.

Suddenly, she found herself swept up in his arms.

“What are you doing?” Whitney pushed against him.

“What do you think I want to do?” His eyes were deep, carrying a mischievous glint.

Whitney fell silent.

As Ludwik carried her, his scent enveloped her, a familiar warmth she longed for. It felt like her heart

was suspended in the air; even the slightest softening from him sparked the fantasy that he might

forgive her.

What had made her so meek? Was it the fear of losing him?

She looked down quietly. Then, her stomach growled audibly.

Whitney discreetly covered her belly.

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Felix chuckled from the side, “Miss Valentine, seems like the little one’s hungry.”

Ludwik stiffened briefly, his expression unreadable, but he changed course toward the hospital

cafeteria. It was a spotless and hygienic place. He seated her at a table and sat across from her

without a word.

Felix went to order food.

Whitney stole glances at Ludwik’s profile until she was interrupted by an elderly voice, tinged with

amusement, “Ludwik, what a coincidence!”

Ludwik looked up and quickly rose to his feet, respectful, “Braxton, it’s been ages. What brings you to

Banyan City?”

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Hearing the name, Whitney turned sharply to see the renowned Braxton from the South City!

As a healer, she remembered every face she treated.

Braxton chatted with Ludwik, “I heard this little hospital had an impressive traditional healer. My stroke

didn’t kill me thanks to a young nurse who saved me with her acupuncture. I thought I’d come take a

look!”

What? Whitney was startled. How did Braxton know it was a young nurse?

She averted her gaze.

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Chapter 193

But Braxton had already noticed her scrutiny and turned to her sweet face.

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“You are?” Braxton squinted at Whitney, examining her closely from her face to her slender hands.

His gaze shifted, even Ludwik noticed something was off. He interjected, “Braxton, is there something

about my wife?”

“Your wife?” Braxton was taken aback.

To outsiders, Ludwik had no time to explain and referred to her as such. He nodded.

Braxton peered at Whitney, then chuckled with recognition, “No wonder, young lady, that night…”

Whitney glanced at Ludwik’s puzzled look and quickly signaled to Braxton not to reveal anything.

In front of her benefactor, Braxton caught on that the young lady had her concerns and paused.

“Do you know each other?” Ludwik asked sharply.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Braxton laughed, shifting the topic, “Ludwik, I heard about your dramatic moves in

Banyan City’s business world. The company that won the South City land bid turns out to be backed by

your brother. A little family rivalry in the Lippert family, eh? But I wasn’t wrong about you. You’ve

become the CEO of the Skyfaith Electronic Tech, outshining your previous ventures. You’re probably

going to make the Lippert family surrender the Imperial Gem Corporation, aren’t you?”

“That was always mine,” Ludwik said calmly.

Whitney watched him, knowing there was a storm of ruthlessness hidden beneath his calm, already

strategizing as always. But it was just making Orion jump through hoops.

Braxton didn’t say more, and after a meaningful look at Whitney, he left.

Whitney understood the old man’s intention. He probably wanted to thank her. Felix was still waiting on

the meal, so she excused herself to the restroom and left the table.

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Following Braxton’s direction, she turned a corner and found him supported by his son, waiting for

her.

“Young lady, did you save my life?” Braxton asked, his emotions stirring.

Whitney didn’t confirm, only smiling, “Sir, you have the aura of longevity.”

“I’m in my eighties, longevity enough. I know it was you. That night, I briefly opened my eyes and saw a

young nurse with needles working over my head. You were remarkable; after your treatment, my mind

cleared. I caught a glimpse of your eyes, just like these.”

Whitney laughed; she had been well–covered that night.

“You discreetly saved me to keep Ludwik Lippert out of jail?”

Knowing they were married, Braxton pieced the rest together.

But he wondered, “Why not let him know?”

Whitney paused before answering, “Sir, there was an error with the bidding due to my uncle, which also

falls on me. It led to your negotiation with him going awry, causing your condition. I didn’t want you to

die, nor did I want him to face consequences, so I discreetly came to your aid. However, it was still

against medical regulations, and besides, telling him now is pointless. He has deep misconceptions

about me, and he might not believe me.”

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Her tone held a note of loss.

Braxton looked at her, smiled faintly, “A little couple’s quarrel?”

Whitney shook her head. If only it were that simple.

“Don’t worry, such a kind–hearted young lady like you. He’ll realize how much you love him eventually.

You saved me at the risk of being arrested. Could you leave me your contact information? If I ever fall

ill again, I’d like to call on your expertise, and I’d pay whatever it costs.”

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“I never take money for my acupuncture; saving lives is second nature to me.” Whitney reached out

and checked Braxton’s pulse, “If you’ll excuse me.”

After checking his pulse, she nodded, “You’re doing great. Here’s my card.”

“Thank you, thank you so much!” Braxton said, treasuring the card. As he walked away, he said to his

son, “What a kind–hearted young lady. That Ludwik is one lucky guy.”

Perhaps it was the joy of having saved a life, seeing Braxton bouncing around with such vitality that

brought a hint of happiness to Whitney’s heart. She let out a soft sigh and sent a text to Felix; she

wasn’t going to eat and would be leaving early.

Around the corner, just a stone’s throw away, Ludwik’s deep gaze followed Whitney as she walked

away.

Felix was equally astonished.

“Mr. Lippert… it turns out, that night in South City, the missus wasn’t hiding out in Banyan City

indifferent to your situation. On the contrary, she went alone to save Braxton! And the next morning,

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she was misunderstood by you. And just now, she said that the sabotage with the contract was

Keegan’s doing, so she wasn’t involved in Keegan’s revenge against you!”

“I have ears!” Ludwik snapped. His tall frame tensed up.

He hadn’t expected to follow in secret only to overhear such news.

That night, she had secretly saved his life.

But why had she kept it a secret? And why was she still hiding it from him now?

He instructed, “Go confirm whether she really went to South City that night.”

Felix nodded, then added, “Mr. Lippert, I think Madam’s heart is with you in this revenge plot of

Keegan’s. Could it be possible that Keegan forced her into it? She risked jail to save Braxton. If she

didn’t love you, why would she take such a risk?”

Ludwik closed his eyes, his heart fluttering slightly.

Had he finally found a shred of evidence that she cared for him?

Braxton had praised her acupuncture skills, and it seemed it was not without merit.

She had repeatedly lied, claiming that when he had his hysterical episode, it was she who stayed by

his side.

Tiana had also vouched for her.

Suddenly, Ludwik asked, “Felix, that night, at the door of my hospital room, did you really see her

there?”

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