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Chapter_300
At the entrance of Little Bloomers Preschool, the sound of the Bentley’s engine faded into the distance, leaving Elaine trailing behind, breathless. Inside the car, Ludwik sat beside Sammy, his face a mask of concentration as he carefully pressed an ice pack to his son’s bruised forehead. His long fingers withdrew from the boy’s head, his expression hardening as he dialed a number.
“Check on a kid named Adriel for me,” Ludwik instructed, his voice calm yet carrying an edge. “Find out everything—family background, connections with Elaine, and anything else you can dig up.”
Sammy’s eyes lit up with a spark of interest. His dad was taking him seriously. He wasn’t brushing him off as just a kid. The realization that Ludwik was listening and acting on his words made Sammy feel a surge of pride. It felt good to know his dad was starting to see things more clearly.
With a sly grin, Sammy tugged at Ludwik’s shirt. “Dad, I bet your search won’t turn up much. You know how it goes—those preschool cameras? Probably ‘out of order.’ And if Mom’s in cahoots with Jemima, she won’t leave a trail. You know what I mean?”
Ludwik raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sharpness in his son’s words. He hadn’t expected such insight from Sammy. There was something in the boy’s tone that reminded him of himself—sharp, calculating.
Without speaking, Ludwik’s gaze deepened, considering his son’s words.
Sammy moved closer, his smile widening with the satisfaction of being heard. “But the fact that you’re starting to believe me, that you’re questioning Mom’s ties with Jemima—that’s all I need. That’s my real dad right there.”
“When have I ever not believed you?” Ludwik replied, though there was a hint of regret in his voice. “It’s just that you never spoke up before. If you had said something sooner, I might have realized you weren’t happy at school. I’m sorry for not paying closer attention.”
Sammy nodded, taking his father’s words to heart. “I won’t keep quiet again, Dad. I’ll always tell you what’s going on, no more keeping it all in.”
Ludwik sighed deeply, a mix of guilt and appreciation flooding him. His son was opening up, and it meant something—he wasn’t just letting things slide anymore. He placed a hand on Sammy’s head, ruffling his hair affectionately. “Sorry, Danny,” he murmured, his voice low with emotion.
“Dad, I don’t get it,” Sammy said after a pause, his tone turning more serious. “Why did you trust Mom so much? I don’t understand. Why did you think she was always right?”
The question struck Ludwik like a lightning bolt. Why, indeed? He leaned back in his seat, lost in thought. Maybe it all started three years ago, when Whitney’s constant disappointments had left him vulnerable. Elaine had been there, offering support when he needed it most. She had donated a kidney to his mother, had once saved him from a panic attack—it was hard not to see her as the selfless, caring woman she portrayed herself to be.
But that was before. People changed. Today, he realized the truth about Elaine’s behavior. She wasn’t as invested in Danny’s well-being as she pretended to be. In fact, she might have been the one behind Danny’s injuries. The more he thought about it, the clearer it became. Elaine had crossed a line, especially when it came to their son.
As the Bentley pulled into the driveway of Everwood Villa, Endora was waiting by the door, her posture tense, clearly on edge. Elaine, stepping out of the car with a sense of relief, greeted her with a strained smile. At least Endora had come through with her message to create an alibi for her at the preschool. It was a small victory, but one that helped cover the cracks in her facade.
The Bentley door opened, and Ludwik emerged, towering over everyone with an aura of power that seemed to freeze the air around him. Endora, for the first time, found herself face-to-face with him. She had been outside his circle until now, and his imposing presence was enough to make her momentarily speechless. The coldness in his eyes only intensified her nervousness.
“Mr. Lippert…” she began, her voice tentative.
Ludwik didn’t acknowledge her directly. His focus was on Sammy, holding him firmly as he signaled for the housekeeper to open the door. Elaine, noticing the awkward tension, quickly nudged Endora into action.
“I heard about the misunderstanding with Elaine,” Endora blurted out, trying to cover for the situation. “It was really my fault. I dragged her out to help me choose a necklace, and she couldn’t say no…”
Elaine joined in, her voice rising in defense, “Rainey, I was with you all afternoon. It’s not your fault. Danny was supposed to be safe at school…”
But Ludwik, his attention now fully on her, seemed unimpressed. His icy tone cut through the air, “Are you done? You can leave now.”
Endora looked startled, her efforts at deceiving him clearly failing. Elaine’s frustration grew as she saw the situation slipping out of her control. She gestured to Endora, urging her to leave.
Ludwik, holding Sammy close, moved toward the villa, his eyes darkened with disappointment. Elaine was left standing there, helpless and scrambling for a way to regain Ludwik’s favor. She couldn’t believe what was happening. Her carefully constructed world was beginning to unravel.
Reaching for Sammy, Elaine tried to take control of the situation. “Let Mommy take care of your wound, Danny,” she said, her voice sweet, but there was a nervous edge to it.
Ludwik, however, wasn’t having it. He didn’t even look at her as he handed Sammy off to the trusted housekeeper. “For now, Danny’s matters don’t require your attention,” he stated coldly, his words leaving no room for argument.
As the housekeeper escorted Sammy inside, Ludwik’s gaze lingered on Elaine for a moment longer than usual, the coldness in his eyes unmistakable. This was the first time he had openly sided with their son over her in front of the household staff. It wasn’t just a matter of preference anymore—it was a clear shift in the power dynamic.
Elaine stood frozen, her chest tight with a mix of indignation and regret. She couldn’t let this slip through her fingers. Clutching Ludwik’s sleeve, she tried to pull him back, her voice trembling with a calculated vulnerability. “Ludwik, what do I need to do to make things right? Please forgive me for not being at school today. I even had Sophie come over to explain. I had to go with her to buy a necklace this afternoon. It wasn’t like I meant to leave Danny…”
Ludwik stopped, his towering figure casting a shadow over her. His gaze turned sharp and accusatory. “Elaine, you’ve been awfully busy lately, haven’t you? You’ve been getting along quite well with Endora, staying at her place last night and now shopping with her this afternoon.”
Elaine’s heart skipped a beat. It felt like a trap closing in on her. Had Ludwik finally started to put the pieces together? Her mind raced, her eyes darting away, panic creeping in. What would she do if he was already onto her?
