Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_94
Felix left the restaurant feeling rather disgruntled, his mind churning with complaints as he made his way out. Meanwhile, Whitney was thoroughly enjoying the feast laid out before her. She reached for a skewer of konjac, followed by some spicy beef and mushroom balls that happened to be on Ludwik’s side of the table. Eager to satisfy her cravings, she cheerfully directed him, “Can you grab me some of this, that, and oh—more of those, please?”
Ludwik, his aristocratic hands remaining poised and untouched by the frenzy around them, glanced up and gave her a playful but scornful look. “Are you a pig?” he teased, not missing a beat. He turned to the waitress. “Could you bring some vegetables for this little piggy here?”
His voice, rich and magnetic, carried across the table, catching the attention of several nearby diners. Whitney’s face flushed in mild annoyance, but she couldn’t help but glance at the couples around them. She envied the young men dote on their girlfriends, many of them still in their school uniforms, serving them with affection. “Sweetie, careful, it’s hot.” “Want some bubble tea?” The sweet, gentle displays of affection were everywhere.
Her gaze flicked back to Ludwik, who sat with an impassive look on his face, seemingly indifferent to any notion of pampering. There was no endearment, no sweet gestures. “Look at everyone else,” she muttered, a tinge of jealousy creeping into her tone. “They’re all so sweet to their girlfriends.”
Ludwik raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by her complaints. Finally, he picked up a skewer and delicately placed some meatballs on her plate. “That’s as far as I’ll go. Eat,” he said coolly, his voice exuding authority. He wasn’t one for these outward displays of affection.
Whitney’s cheeks flushed slightly under the unexpected care, especially as she noticed the envious glances from other women nearby. Every woman, she mused, has a touch of vanity, especially when in love. The attention from the other girls only made her smile softly. She ate contentedly, her mood brightened.
But Felix, unable to stomach the food, walked past the window and froze. What he saw was not the Ludwik he knew—the stoic, professional CEO. There he was, gently holding a cup and wiping her lips with a napkin. The tenderness was so out of character, so intimate, that Felix couldn’t resist snapping a picture. He immediately shared it with the gossip group and secretaries’ work chat.
[Check out our high-and-mighty Mr. Lippert, catering to his lady at a barbecue joint. I’m getting slaughtered in broad daylight here.]
The responses came in quickly.
Parker: […] Nolan: [Holy smokes, that’s a slap in the face of romance. Ludwik at a barbecue? Wake me up!] The secretaries’ work group exploded with excitement, begging for more. [Mr. Lippert and his lady look so in love! Felix, we need more!]
Meanwhile, Whitney’s enjoyment of the spicy food led to a bit of discomfort. Her mouth was on fire from the chili, and Ludwik immediately noticed. “Stop with the spicy meatballs. Have some seaweed; it’s good for the baby,” he instructed with a hint of concern in his voice.
“I want bubble tea,” she pouted, not willing to give in.
“Quiet,” Ludwik said firmly, leaning in closer to her, his presence overwhelming. He wiped her lips with a napkin, his touch gentle, but his eyes full of intent. As his gaze met hers, she couldn’t help but notice how close they were, how his breath was warm against her skin.
She caught a glimpse of Felix’s reflection in the window, his phone aimed at them, and realized he had probably taken another picture. Her eyes narrowed playfully. “I want my bubble tea. Or I’ll have to drink something else.”
Ludwik, who was starting to lose his patience, growled, “What?”
Whitney’s lips curled into a mischievous smile, and without warning, she leaned in and kissed him. Their lips met, soft at first, then deepening as Ludwik pulled her closer. He gripped her waist, his body reacting instantly, a low growl escaping his throat. “Drink something else?” he murmured, his voice thick with desire. “Damn it, I want to take you right here…”
Her face flushed with heat, her playful seduction working too well. She could feel his strong reaction to her closeness, the way his muscles tightened under his suit.
Felix, witnessing the passionate moment from outside, couldn’t resist snapping a quick picture and sending it to the group. The secretaries went wild.
Back at the office, Elaine was busy with her work when she heard the familiar buzz of her phone. Her attention was drawn to the gossip group, and when she saw the photo Felix had shared, her eyes narrowed. The image of Ludwik kissing Whitney in the middle of a barbecue restaurant was too much to ignore. Ludwik, of all people, at a barbecue joint? Unthinkable.
But for Whitney, he had clearly made exceptions. The picture, with Ludwik holding Whitney tenderly, sent a wave of jealousy through Elaine. She clenched her fists. Whitney’s eyes in the photo, barely open but gleaming with a victorious look, stirred something darker inside Elaine. Was this how Whitney was flaunting her affection?
Elaine’s smile twisted with malice. She dialed Ludwik’s number without hesitation, only for it to ring through to voicemail. She imagined them in the midst of their embrace, the image of Whitney smirking at her flashing through her mind. “Enjoy your moment, Whitney,” she muttered to herself. “Because tomorrow, you’ll regret it.”
Elaine’s mind raced. She had already been planning her next move, and she knew exactly how to make Ludwik’s world crumble. But for now, she simply stared at the phone screen, watching the unanswered call, her envy boiling over.
Meanwhile, back at the villa, Whitney returned from her eventful evening, taking a relaxing bath before preparing for bed. Ludwik followed her in, and as she made her way to the door, he stopped her with a commanding gesture.
“Tonight, I want to hold you while we sleep,” he said, his voice rich with authority.
She raised an eyebrow, flushing. “Why?”
“You ate all those chilies. If you don’t let me sleep with you, I’ll tell Mom,” he replied with a grin.
Whitney rolled her eyes, her irritation slipping away at the playful threat. “You’re so underhanded,” she muttered, but there was no escaping the warmth spreading through her chest. She finally nodded in agreement, a blush creeping up her neck.
Ludwik wasted no time. He jumped into bed, making sure she couldn’t change her mind. As she settled beside him, he reached out to brush her hair from her face. “There you go, sweetheart. Maybe put some ice on those lips to bring down the swelling.”
She glared at him, shaking her head. “Mind your own business,” she thought, feeling an overwhelming sense of affection for him despite his teasing.
As she stood up to fetch a towel, she heard him mutter under his breath, “If our baby ends up with eczema, I’ll never forgive you.”
Whitney’s lips curved into a sly smile. “How could that happen? I know exactly how to fix it,” she thought to herself. She was well-versed in medicine and had a plan to balance out the heat from the spicy food.
She returned to the bed, slipping into her side. The next moment, she found herself pulled into his embrace. “Goodnight, sweetheart,” he murmured, his arms holding her tightly. She closed her eyes, feeling safe, cherished, and ready for a peaceful night’s sleep.
