Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_31
A sudden chill swept through the private room, sending a shiver down Whitney’s spine. She turned to see a tall figure dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. The mask he wore obscured his sharp jawline, but his deep, piercing eyes sent a chill through her. Why was he here?
Whitney tried to steady herself, her cheeks flushing a bashful pink in response to his intense gaze. Without a hint of tenderness, his icy grip lifted her from her seat. He had appeared next to her so quietly that it was almost as if he had materialized from the shadows. His frosty stare alone sent a rush of fear through Whitney’s heart.
Biting her lip, she instinctively moved behind him. His gaze turned toward Simon, whose arms had been wrapped around Whitney’s waist. Simon hesitated, taken aback by the intimidating presence of the man. His arms fell away without him even realizing it.
Simon, still regaining his composure, flared up in anger. “You again! You thug!” But before Simon could make a move, the man delivered a swift blow, sending Simon sprawling to the ground.
“Hiss!” Simon let out a sharp breath of pain as he scrambled back to his feet. Just then, two more young men entered, their presence changing the atmosphere entirely. When Simon saw Nolan Fuller and Parker Doonan, his expression shifted. Nolan, from one of the four powerful families, and Parker, the youngest head of the notorious Doonan family, were not to be underestimated.
With the Fuller and Doonan family’s influential members flanking the masked man, Simon’s confusion grew. Maybe this man wasn’t just a thug after all. But who was he?
Before Simon could demand more answers, the man swept Whitney into his arms, striding out of the room without a word.
“Stop!” Simon bellowed, wounded in pride. “What right do you have to take her? You’re nobody to her!”
The man’s eyes narrowed, a sneer curling on his lips as he glanced down at Whitney. “Didn’t you tell her who you belong to?”
Whitney lowered her head, embarrassed, as if she had done something wrong.
Simon, still fuming, roared, “Who the hell are you?”
Nolan, without missing a beat, kicked the door shut with a smug grin. “Just a man who doesn’t care about you, Simon. You touch her again, and your whole Perlman family will be in for trouble.”
Simon stiffened, stunned by the audacity in Nolan’s voice. Just who was this man?
The night air outside was crisp, almost biting. Whitney found herself sitting on the man’s lap in the back of a car, the temperature inside just as cold as the man she was leaning against. The silence between them was thick and uncomfortable.
Whitney, feeling awkward in her disheveled state, tried to move away. But before she could, his hand landed sharply on her backside. “Eager to get off my lap? Were your ex-fiancé’s legs more comfortable? I thought your hatred ran deep, but it seems old flames are easy to rekindle.”
His words cut deep, and Whitney’s face burned with embarrassment. She covered the spot he had slapped, muttering, “Mr. L, there’s no need for sarcasm… Thank you for earlier.”
He sneered, clearly in a foul mood, his eyes cold as he surveyed her. “You think I want your thanks?” He kicked the seat in front of him, signaling for the driver to turn on the air conditioning. The cold air filled the car, and Whitney shivered lightly.
His gaze fell to her torn blouse, and without a word, he reached out to touch her. Whitney instinctively recoiled, her body tensed with unease.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, her voice trembling. His rough fingers brushed against her delicate skin, and she pushed his hand away.
A low, mocking chuckle rumbled from him. “What do you think I’m doing? Should I finish what you started with that ex of yours?”
Whitney’s cheeks burned hotter with humiliation. “Please don’t speak so crudely.”
He shot back coldly, “Who’s acting crudely? You lied to my mother, telling her you were out with your best friend, right?”
Whitney’s face drained of color. “I didn’t want to worry anyone. I can explain. I needed a phone book, and honestly, if you hadn’t arrived when you did, I wouldn’t have made it. But I never imagined Simon would go so low…”
She trailed off, her mind still reeling from the events of the night.
His tone grew colder. “Didn’t I make myself clear? Have you forgotten, Madam?”
Whitney’s lashes fluttered as she lowered her gaze, considering his words carefully. After a moment’s reflection, she finally spoke. “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. L, but let’s be clear. Ours is a contract marriage. We should maintain our distance. I don’t want to bother you with my issues, and I’ll stay out of yours.”
Silence enveloped the car for a few seconds, the temperature between them dropping.
From the front seat, the assistant, Felix, couldn’t help but glance back, speaking in a hushed tone. “Madam, Mr. L was working late. He rushed to pick you up from the airport, but you didn’t reply to his messages or answer your phone.”
Whitney blinked, surprised by this revelation.
“Felix!” Mr. L’s voice was icy, making Felix fall silent instantly.
Whitney looked up to meet the chilling gaze of Mr. L. His voice was cold and sharp. “You want distance? Then keep your distance.”
Whitney stiffened and quickly crawled off his lap, pressing herself into the farthest corner of the seat. The man’s gaze followed her movements with growing tension. After a moment, he barked at the driver, “Close the window on her side!”
The chill against Whitney’s face disappeared, and the warmth of the car began to settle around her. She stopped shivering, but kept her head lowered, avoiding his gaze. His anger was palpable, yet his actions were strangely considerate.
Was he just concerned about her health? Or was there something else beneath his icy exterior?
As they arrived at the hospital, doctors rushed to attend to Whitney, making sure everything was fine with the baby.
Nolan, relieved, muttered, “Ludwik married her just for the baby. If anything happened to it, I’d hate to see what would happen to Whitney.”
Parker, however, eyed the situation with curiosity. “Is it just the baby Ludwik wants? I sense something more.”
Nolan shot him a sharp look. “Don’t be ridiculous. Ludwik’s a cold fish! His heart’s untouched. Have you seen how he treats the woman by his side?”
“That’s different,” Parker mused with a sly grin. “Whitney is his first… taste.”
Nolan scowled. “You’re sick.”
Whitney, unaware of the conversation at hand, approached the two men. “Excuse me, where can I find Mr. L?”
Nolan decided to play a little trick. “His mother’s sick because of you. Where do you think he is?”
Without waiting for her response, he pointed in a direction.
Whitney’s face paled slightly as she quickly made her way to Room 02, murmuring, “Mom?”
Standing outside the hospital room was a tall man, his suit jacket removed, revealing a crisp white shirt that only enhanced his noble, aloof demeanor. He glanced at Whitney briefly before looking back at the bed.
“You didn’t return by eight, and the maid let something slip. Then, Mom fainted from worrying about the baby,” he said coolly.
Whitney’s heart sank as guilt washed over her. How could this have happened?
