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Chapter_92
Whitney was a knockout—a true head-turner—which made her a magnet for unwanted attention in the business world. Ludwik was well aware of this, and his keen eye never missed the shifting dynamics. He gave a nod of satisfaction.
“Let’s direct those two clients to her. It’ll give her a little boost,” he suggested, his tone purposeful.
“Sure thing,” Elaine responded, her grin widening, a glimmer of something more lurking in her smile.
Ludwik leaned back in his chair, the sharp lines of his well-tailored suit accentuating his muscular frame. His chiseled features were impossibly handsome, and his deep, penetrating eyes seemed to pull anyone who gazed too long into them.
Elaine, despite seeing him daily, couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter, the warmth rushing to her ears as her gaze briefly lingered on him.
But the moment was fleeting. Ludwik’s piercing stare cut through the space between them, like a silent pressure pressing down on her. He had been watching her closely.
Without revealing any of his inner thoughts, Ludwik broke the silence. “Elaine, you’ve been putting in a lot of effort on Whitney’s behalf.”
Elaine’s smile softened, but she paused for just a moment, catching the sharpness in his eyes—something in his expression told her he might be testing her.
Her hand stiffened under her sleeve, but she quickly recovered, offering him a coy smile. “Bro, when it comes to you or Whitney, I take things to heart. You know that.”
Ludwik furrowed his brow, remembering Whitney’s lukewarm response to Elaine the night before. There was no reason for Elaine to chase after someone who had given her the cold shoulder.
Noticing his frown, Elaine softened her gaze, her voice gentle. “Bro, don’t you see? I just want to be good to you. You and Whitney are a great match. You can’t force feelings, and there’s genuine attraction between you two. I’ve said it before—I’ve let go. I see you as a brother now. Still, I want to help you, from the bottom of my heart. Seeing you and Whitney happy makes me happy too, and when you argue, it hurts me as well.”
She sighed lightly, her expression the very picture of innocence and sincerity, her eyes curving with her smile. “You’ve known me for years. You should know I’m steadfast, no matter the situation. Your happiness is so important to me. Possessing someone? That’s not as important. Do you still doubt me? Maybe my fondness for Whitney is just an extension of how I feel about you.”
Ludwik looked into her eyes, sensing the undeniable sincerity in her words. The subtle melancholy in her expression didn’t go unnoticed either. Over the years, she had been a constant presence at the Imperial Gem Corporation, standing by his side whenever Kaden exerted pressure, playing her part in the corporate charade.
Their relationship had always been more about family interests than any personal affection. Ludwik had never been particularly fond of her. In the past, he had remained cold and indifferent, convinced her kindness was nothing more than a tactic to please him.
But now, even with Whitney in the picture, Elaine’s kindness persisted. She seemed to expect nothing in return for her actions.
His usual icy demeanor thawed just a little, touched by the depth of her devotion. The most he could offer her in return was cold comfort. “You see me as a brother,” he said, his voice softer than before. “I’ll give you a raise and help you find a suitable husband.”
A chill ran through Elaine. This was not the first time he had dismissed her like this. His heart remained as cold as stone, and yet, it seemed to warm for Whitney. Her fingers clenched under the table, the familiar sting of rejection creeping back into her chest. He was brushing her off once more, using money to make up for the void she felt.
With a forced, soft smile, she replied, “Deal. But I’d need someone even more mature and perfect than you.”
Ludwik paused for a brief moment, his pen still in hand. He felt reassured. His doubts about Elaine had been unfounded—they were rooted in his insecurities surrounding Whitney.
“You may go,” he said, a rare smile appearing on his face.
Elaine knew she had successfully deflected his suspicions. The humiliation she had endured was part of her plan—one step closer to getting back at Whitney.
Her eyes glinted with cold determination as she left his office. She had a special plan for Whitney, and she was confident that the other woman would take the bait.
Back in her own office, Elaine dialed Whitney’s number, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.
At that moment, Whitney was deep in a meeting at Skye Gem’s procurement department. The company had been struggling with inconsistent gemstone supplies, and she needed to find a reliable vendor.
Elaine’s call came at just the right time. “Whitney, do you have a minute? I’ve got a surprise for you,” she said with a tone that suggested something more.
Whitney blinked, the sunlight outside casting a glow over her face. Her eyes were unreadable. Elaine had a surprise for her?
“Sure, Elaine. Where shall we meet?” Whitney asked, her voice calm and composed.
Elaine was already near Skye Gem, and they arranged to meet at a nearby café.
When Whitney entered the café, she quickly spotted Elaine, who raised her hand in greeting, her eyes bright with innocence. “Over here, Whitney!”
Whitney sat down, placing her bag beside her. She looked up with a polite smile. “What’s this about, Elaine?”
Elaine’s eyes had a soft, almost vulnerable expression, a stark contrast to Whitney’s sharp, focused gaze.
“Still treating me like an outsider, Whitney?” Elaine sighed softly but then quickly masked her words with a smile, pulling out two files. “I noticed that Skye Gem has been struggling, so I thought you might need some resources. These are two vendors I know that supply excellent-quality gemstones. If I help negotiate, we can secure better prices. What do you think about sourcing from them?”
“Oh?” Whitney flipped through the files, recognizing the vendors’ names. They were known for their top-tier gemstones, but they were selective about their clients, usually only working with high-profile jewelry companies.
Elaine offering a connection?
Whitney felt a flicker of appreciation. “Elaine, you’re too kind! My company’s been in a tight spot, but I didn’t expect you to take such an active interest, let alone recommend vendors to me. Given our recent acquaintance, I wonder—are you always this generous with everyone?”
Elaine’s expression faltered for just a moment, her eyes briefly clouded with hurt, but she quickly waved the thought away. “Of course, I’m not this generous with everyone. I’m only this way with you, Whitney, because you’re Bro’s lady. Why would you think otherwise? I just wanted to help, and I reached out without a second thought. I didn’t mean to burden you.”
Her words carried a subtle implication: accepting her help meant acknowledging her goodwill. Rejecting it would suggest misunderstanding her intentions.
The issue of sourcing gemstones for Skye Gem wasn’t something Whitney had been seeking help with, but Elaine had taken the initiative to present herself as an ally, eager to offer assistance. But was this truly help, or was there a hidden agenda?
Whitney recalled the previous night at the club, where Elaine had been speaking up for her, though it felt more like she was setting something in motion with others—possibly lighting a fuse with Hannah, or stoking some fire with L.
Elaine’s behavior at the hospital also seemed too calculated—an act of grace, a poised and elegant high-society damsel. Whitney could feel her suspicions rise.
Elaine’s excessive enthusiasm, paired with her urgent recommendations, didn’t sit well with her. Elaine had carefully left out mentioning Ludwik. Whitney would trust him, but never Elaine.
Now, Elaine waited for Whitney’s rejection.
“The raw gems from Skye Gem aren’t that urgent, Elaine. I appreciate your offer, and I’ll consider the suppliers you recommended, but I’m not familiar with them. Thanks for coming by today!” Whitney smiled politely as she declined.
Elaine’s smile faltered slightly, though she quickly concealed her displeasure. “Guess I got a bit ahead of myself. No worries, Whitney. Take your time to scout other suppliers.”
Whitney stood, gracefully escorting Elaine out. Afterward, she stood still, her expression contemplative. If she had signed that contract, there would surely have been traps waiting for her—though she couldn’t yet grasp how many. Elaine wasn’t likely offering anything with pure intentions.
