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Chapter_83
Whitney blinked away the tears that had gathered in the corners of her eyes, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Misunderstood? She thought bitterly. I was vomiting my guts out in the bathroom, and Simon was just there, holding my hair back. Even if he misunderstood, he could’ve at least checked on me, asked how I was feeling, right?
She clenched her fists, her frustration mounting. Not only did he do nothing to help me, but he didn’t even ask if I was hurt. Heck, he even called me cheap and said I was fine. Tiana, my heart’s turned to ice. He doesn’t care about me at all. Maybe after I agreed to date him, he just lost interest…
Her voice wavered with the bitter thoughts swirling in her head. She didn’t know where to go from here.
Tiana immediately interjected, “Don’t think like that. L seems so polished and poised; it’s not like him to lose control. Maybe something else made him upset? You said he didn’t help you?”
Whitney’s voice was low as she responded. “Simon said he was the one who saved me. I was knocked out cold, and it was indeed Simon who helped me to the hospital from the police station.”
Tiana frowned, mulling it over. “This case has really set Hunter off. I know a bit about his temper. Could Simon really have persuaded him? Don’t be too quick to give up on L.”
Whitney blinked, her heart heavy with sorrow. “Maybe I just don’t understand him at all. When things are easy, he teases me, but when it gets tough, he just leaves me high and dry. Maybe that’s just how mature men in the business world are. And his sister, Elaine, always by his side—well, that’s a little too cozy.”
“Elaine? You’ve noticed something?” Tiana asked, sensing there was more to it.
Whitney’s eyes narrowed, her voice lowering to a chilling octave. “She’s a cunning chameleon, hard for even women to spot, let alone men. If they aren’t blood-related, then this sister of his becomes a lot more interesting.”
Tiana’s expression tightened. “I almost thought she was kind-hearted and naive that day. You really need to watch out for her.”
Whitney sighed, feeling despondent. What was there to watch out for now? “After everything that’s happened, there might not even be a future for me and Ludwik,” she said softly.
Tiana sighed, trying to offer some comfort. “You just started dating. You don’t really know each other yet. Both of you have strong personalities. At the end of the day, it’s just a lack of trust. You resent him, and he’s angry, that’s all. Just cool off, and things will get better. Who knows, maybe in a couple of days, he’ll come around, anxious to apologize to you and the baby.”
Before Whitney could reply, Tiana’s assistant entered, handing her a laptop. Tiana quickly shifted the conversation. “Let’s talk about tonight’s mess. You really got into hot water. The Lutz family dropping their lawsuit is the least of it. If it hadn’t been for that, you’d be looking at a serious business felony, one that could’ve locked you up for a decade. Monica’s really gone too far, ready to sacrifice Skye Gem.”
Whitney gestured for her assistant to close the door, her voice dropping to a cold whisper. “I’ve thought about it, and this doesn’t feel like Monica’s doing. It’s too big for her. Since when does Monica have the clout to take on the Lutz family?”
Tiana blinked, startled. “Are you saying the powerful man behind Yvonne and her daughter made this happen?”
“At least it was his idea. Did you find anything?”
“Just about to tell you,” Tiana said, opening her laptop. “After Yvonne had that confrontation with Preston, she spent the night with Kyler. Sure, he’s a big shot in Emperor City, but he’s just wealthy. Do you think he has the influence to sway international judges, buy design drafts for a high price, or play Hunter? I don’t buy it.”
Whitney frowned. “You didn’t find any connection to someone bigger?”
“Nope. Emperor City’s out of my reach. Too many big fish there, too scary.”
Whitney’s brow furrowed. The person behind Yvonne wasn’t a small player—Kyler was just a front. The trail had gone cold, and she sighed. “Now we wait for Valerie’s report. Hopefully, she can dig up something on the people behind the international judges.”
The next day, the police came to the hospital to take Whitney’s statement. With the Lutz family’s withdrawal, the business case could go either way. Skye Gem had suffered a blow to its reputation, but there was still a chance for damage control.
Whitney provided evidence implicating Monica, who had already planned her escape, pinning the purchase of fake gemstones on the procurement manager while only being charged with negligence. With the procurement manager’s confession, the case was officially closed.
Whitney’s expression remained icy. Monica had slipped out of her grasp with the help of an expert. Remembering how she had nearly been beaten to a miscarriage in the holding cell, Whitney vowed not to let Monica off the hook.
Three days later, Tiana’s prediction proved wrong. L never showed up, not even a glimpse of his assistant. Whitney’s heart sank further into desolation. Thankfully, the nurses took good care of her, and Tiana ensured she had the best food and medicine.
Unable to take oral medication, Whitney hid in the bathroom to apply it to her skin. The bruising was severe, but the pain had lessened.
With the company’s reputation hanging by a thread, Whitney knew she had to make amends with Claire first. Offending one of the four families was simply not an option.
After two more days of recovery, Whitney gathered a few high-ranking executives from Skye Gem and personally visited the Lutz family’s private hospital.
They waited from morning until evening until the hospital finally opened its doors.
Whitney rushed into the luxurious ward, her smile strained. Turning to the venerable matriarch, she said, “Claire, I’m so terribly sorry. I’m Whitney, the general manager of Skye Gem and the designer of the True Love Collection. Our internal mismanagement led to a mistake with the diamond material, causing such trouble at your birthday celebration.”
“Who let you in here?” Claire’s teacup smashed to the floor with a crash. “You think you’ve caused me mere trouble? My husband gifted me a diamond the size of a pigeon’s egg, and it turned out to be a fake! Do you have any idea how many dignitaries laughed at me? A mere diamond! I appreciated your design enough to buy from your company, and this is how you repay me? You insolent girl!”
Whitney stood nervously, her face filled with apology, as the executives behind her opened the plush velvet boxes they had brought with them. “This is entirely Skye Gem’s fault. Madam, these pieces are my designs, limited editions, treasures of our company. If any of them catch your fancy, we are prepared to fully compensate you.”
Claire glanced at the jewels, visibly impressed but even angrier. “Do you think my family’s honor can be bought with a few shiny stones? That’s an insult! Security, show this woman out!”
Whitney was at a loss, unable to gauge Claire’s temper.
Just then, the doors opened, and a suave, pleasant voice called out, “Now, who’s gone and upset my mother?”
Claire turned her head, her face softening into a smile. “Bryce, what brings you here?”
Whitney glanced up to see a tall figure approaching—a man in the prime of life with strikingly handsome features. He was dressed in a sapphire blue suit, exuding an air of refined sophistication.
His eyes swept gently over Whitney before landing on the diamond display behind her. With a warm smile, he teased, “Seems like you’ve got an eye for the finer things, yet you downplay their worth. This must be the work of a Skye Gem designer, right? Don’t play it down so much, you might scare the poor girl.”
Whitney was taken aback for a moment, then quickly caught his cue. She picked up a bracelet and confidently approached Claire to adorn her wrist. “Madam, this is the ‘Octuple Fortune’ bracelet, featuring eight 8-carat rubies set amid natural diamonds. It symbolizes abundant blessings and will look absolutely stunning on your fair and elegant wrist.”
“Hey, who said you could…” Claire began to protest, but she was immediately captivated by the beauty of the diamonds.
It was undeniable—the design was exquisite, exuding an air of luxury.
“My mother’s hands are truly beautiful,” the man remarked with a playful smile.
Claire’s cheeks flushed with a touch of color. “Oh, hush, you’re just trying to charm me.”
Whitney’s heart skipped a beat. This charismatic man was the old lady’s son, yet he didn’t look much older than Gunner, her grandson.
