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Chapter_188
Whitney sat in the quiet of Bryce’s home, the warmth of the ginger soup offering a brief respite from the coldness that had overtaken her life. Her mind was a whirlwind, grappling with the events that had unfolded so suddenly, so violently. Despite the gentleness Bryce had shown, despite his unwavering kindness, the weight of his words about Skye Gem Ltd. lingered. He knew. He knew about the company’s fragile state, a truth Whitney had desperately tried to keep hidden from everyone, herself included.
“I…” Whitney started, but the words were too heavy. The humiliation, Ludwik’s betrayal, and the overwhelming pressure of her crumbling world choked her speech. She didn’t know where to begin, didn’t know how to unravel the knots that had been tightening around her heart since the night had begun.
Bryce’s gaze softened as he watched her, his concern palpable. He wasn’t just a businessman—he was someone who understood when others were on the brink. “You’re not alone in this, Whitney,” he said gently. “It’s clear you’ve been backed into a corner. If you need help with Skye Gem Ltd., I’m more than willing to lend a hand. I know how much you care about it.”
His words hit her like a blow, though not from cruelty. They were words of understanding, of support. They reminded her of all the promises and the shattered dreams. But as much as she wanted to accept his offer, there was a part of her that couldn’t. She couldn’t bring herself to rely on anyone, not now, not after everything that had happened.
“I don’t know what to say,” Whitney replied, her voice fragile. She wished she could cry, wished she could express everything that weighed on her chest, but it felt like the tears had run dry. “I feel like everything’s falling apart, and I’ve made so many mistakes.”
Bryce didn’t flinch. His expression remained steady, soft, but firm. “We all make mistakes, Whitney,” he said, his voice low but full of conviction. “But it’s how we move forward that matters.”
Whitney wanted to believe him. She wanted to take those words and hold on to them like a lifeline. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being utterly alone. Ludwik’s cold dismissal of her, his complete failure to intervene when she needed him the most—it had cut deeper than she had ever anticipated. She hadn’t just been humiliated by the men at the party; she had been abandoned by the one person who should have been there to fight for her.
She thought of him now. Ludwik. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he thinking about her at all, or had he already moved on? The questions raged in her mind, but the answers were too painful to seek.
“I’m sorry for all of this, Bryce,” she said, her voice trembling as she turned away from the warmth of his gaze. “But I can’t keep relying on others. I need to figure things out on my own.”
Bryce nodded, his understanding evident. “I get it. Just know that you don’t have to face this alone if you change your mind.”
Whitney didn’t answer immediately. She was too consumed with her own swirling thoughts, the desire for space overwhelming her. As much as she wanted to reject Bryce’s help, a small part of her recognized that she might need it, but not right now. Not when she was so raw, so exposed.
She stood, gathering the strength to leave the safety of Bryce’s home. She had to face the chaos, the mess she had created. She had to face the truth about herself, about what she had allowed to happen. But even as she stepped away, her heart tugged at the lingering sense of loneliness, the gnawing emptiness that she couldn’t escape.
Meanwhile, across the city, Ludwik was far from the calm composure he tried to project. His study, once a place of clear strategy and sharp intellect, now felt suffocating. The remnants of his rage—a shattered glass on the floor—spoke of the storm that raged inside him. His thoughts were a jumbled mess of fury and regret, each one pulling him in different directions.
He had allowed Whitney to slip away, to fall into Bryce’s arms, and now he was left with the bitter taste of betrayal. How could she have done this to him? After everything they had shared, how could she have pushed him away like this? Yet, deep inside, Ludwik knew that he had played a role in the collapse of their relationship. His own pride, his insecurities—they had been the wedge that had driven them apart.
A sharp knock at the door broke his brooding. “Mr. Lippert,” Felix’s voice came through the door. “It’s Parker. He’s here.”
Ludwik wiped his face with a hand, trying to regain some semblance of control. The storm inside him raged on, but he could not let it show. He straightened his posture, his expression cold once more. “Let him in.”
Parker entered, his usual confident demeanor cautious as he assessed Ludwik’s state. Ludwik didn’t acknowledge him right away, instead staring out the window, watching the rain cascade down in steady sheets. He was trying to manage his emotions, but it was a losing battle.
“Mr. Lippert,” Parker began, his voice careful. “You’ve ordered us to handle the men involved with Whitney’s humiliation.”
Ludwik turned slowly, his gaze sharp and lethal. “Make sure they suffer,” he said, his voice quiet but deadly. “But don’t kill them. I still have plans for them.”
Parker nodded, fully understanding the depths of Ludwik’s fury. But even he couldn’t help but hesitate before speaking again. “Mr. Lippert, perhaps you should consider speaking to Ms. Valentine. She might have answers that could put this whole matter to rest.”
Ludwik’s expression darkened at the mention of Whitney. He clenched his fists, his jaw tight. “Don’t you dare speak her name here.”
Felix, sensing the rising tension, quickly interjected, “Mr. Lippert, if I may, we’ve also received information that Ms. Valentine has been taken to Bryce’s mansion. He’s offering her shelter for the night.”
The name Bryce was like a knife to Ludwik’s chest. He felt a surge of jealousy, of possessiveness, that he could not control. The thought of Bryce offering Whitney comfort, of him taking care of her, made his blood boil. He stood abruptly, fury radiating off him in waves.
“I’ll deal with this myself,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Get out of my way.”
Parker and Felix exchanged a worried glance but said nothing as Ludwik stormed out. The storm inside him had taken control, and no one knew how far he would go to regain what he felt was slipping through his fingers.
