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Chapter_115
Ludwik raised an eyebrow at Elaine’s interruption, his gaze sharp. “What’s going on, Elaine? Speak plainly.”
Elaine hesitated for a moment, clearly caught off guard by her brother’s demand. She shifted uncomfortably but pressed on, her tone more cautious now. “Well… I’ve heard that Whitney was involved in that operation this afternoon. The news says she was saved by Bryce, and the way they walked into the hospital together… it looked like something more than just a rescue.”
Ludwik’s expression darkened, his lips pressing into a thin line. “I already know about it, Elaine. Whitney told me herself. She even canceled the Skye Gem deal and the Lutz Group partnership to ease my mind. So, I don’t need you spreading rumors.”
Elaine’s eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly. “She… canceled the deal? Just to make you feel better?”
Ludwik didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he glanced at the photos Castor had handed him, his lips curling into a sneer. The images showed Whitney and Bryce together—too close for comfort. But despite his clear annoyance, Ludwik’s demeanor remained composed, his voice cold. “Don’t worry, Elaine. I know everything. The last thing I need is you making it worse.”
Elaine opened her mouth to argue but stopped when the sound of Whitney’s voice emerged from the kitchen, followed by a small cry of surprise.
“Madam, did the oil splash you?” Felix’s voice echoed out, clearly concerned.
Ludwik’s heart skipped a beat as his gaze snapped toward the kitchen. “Whitney! Come out here!” His voice was sharp, laced with a hint of panic.
A moment later, Whitney emerged, a faint, playful smile on her lips despite the concern in her eyes. She waved a hand dismissively. “It’s nothing. Some water got into the oil. I’m fine.”
Ludwik frowned deeply, his expression softening only slightly. He reached out and grasped her finger, his thumb brushing across her skin with gentle concern. “You’re such a klutz. I wonder how our kids would turn out if you keep getting into trouble like this.”
Whitney’s face flushed at his comment, but she quickly recovered, her tone casual. “There are people here, you know.” She turned to Elaine with a forced smile. “Good evening, Elaine.”
Elaine’s eyes flickered with a barely concealed emotion, but she quickly masked it with a polite smile. Castor, who had been watching the exchange, glanced between the two women, unsure how to handle the situation.
Whitney, however, wasn’t fazed. She had already played her part and knew exactly where she stood in this game. “Elaine,” she said smoothly, “you know what they say: ‘Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.’”
Ludwik watched her closely, his gaze softening as he registered her words. Still, there was a lingering suspicion in his eyes. “I’m not so sure you’re just playing the victim anymore, Whitney.”
Whitney met his eyes with a serene smile. “I’m not just surviving, Ludwik,” she said quietly. “I’m playing the game. And I intend to win.”
Elaine’s grip on her composure tightened, but she kept her smile firmly in place. She hadn’t expected Whitney to be this bold. And she certainly hadn’t expected Whitney to handle Ludwik with such ease. The game was clearly far from over, and Elaine was only just beginning to realize that she might have underestimated her rival.
With that, the tension in the room simmered, everyone standing on the brink of a new chapter in the complicated dynamics of their relationships. Whitney had made her move, but it was clear that Ludwik, too, had his own battles to fight.
