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Chapter_212
Ludwik’s gaze darkened as Elaine’s words settled in his mind, a knot tightening in his chest. His grip on the edge of the desk was unrelenting, knuckles white, as his jaw clenched and his body tensed. The cold indifference that had once defined him shattered, replaced by an unmistakable fury that seemed to pulse through the room. The air itself felt charged, as though the very walls could feel the heat of his anger. Elaine’s words had struck a nerve, but Ludwik’s pride refused to acknowledge the truth she had so skillfully uncovered.
His voice, low and dangerously measured, broke the silence. “Whitney… she dared…”
Elaine’s smile grew, a knowing glint in her eyes as she watched him unravel before her. She savored the sight, taking quiet delight in the storm she had stirred. “She’s humiliating you, Ludwik. After everything you’ve done for her… and now this?” She leaned in, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder, as though offering comfort, but the touch only fanned the flames of his fury.
Without warning, Ludwik stood abruptly, pushing her hand off with a sharp gesture. “I don’t need your sympathy, Elaine,” he spat, his voice thick with venom. The control he’d once maintained was slipping, his rage too fierce to contain. He began pacing the room, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.
Elaine, unfazed, observed him carefully. There was a calculated glint in her eyes as she spoke. “You should go to her. Confront her. Make her regret this. This is your chance to show her who she belongs with.” Her words were like fuel to his already raging fire.
Ludwik turned sharply, his eyes icy and unforgiving as they locked onto hers. “She’s already made her choice,” he said, his voice dripping with bitterness. “She chose him. And now she’ll pay for that betrayal.” The disdain in his words was palpable, as though Whitney’s rejection had cut deeper than anything he’d expected.
Elaine’s smile widened, a satisfied glint in her eyes. “That’s the spirit,” she purred. “Just remember, Ludwik, I’m here for you. I’ll help you however you need.”
Ludwik’s eyes narrowed, his warning clear. “Just make sure your role in all this stays hidden,” he said coldly. “I won’t be anyone’s pawn.”
Elaine nodded, the playful edge to her demeanor fading as she grew serious. “Of course, Ludwik. Everything is under control.”
As she exited, Ludwik’s thoughts raced, each one more urgent than the last. He would not let Whitney slip through his fingers—not after everything he’d sacrificed. He had already given too much, and now she was slipping away, her loyalty seemingly shattered by another man. He would drag her back, force her to see reason, even if it meant making her regret every moment of her defiance.
Across the city, Bryce sat in his office, his hands trembling as he reviewed the latest developments. The engagement—whether real or fabricated—had done little to calm the storm that was brewing. If anything, the whispers had only grown louder. The real challenge now was to keep Whitney safe, protect Skye Gem, and maintain the stability of the Lutz Group.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. He looked up to see his assistant standing in the doorway, her expression a mixture of concern and resolve.
“Mr. Lutz,” she began, her tone businesslike, “we’ve received word from the shareholders. They’re demanding answers about the engagement. There are rumors circulating that the whole thing is a strategic move—a cover-up for the scandal. You need to make a public statement soon.”
Bryce ran a hand through his hair, the weight of the situation pressing down on him like an anchor. He had hoped that the engagement would be enough to shift the narrative, but it was becoming clear that it wasn’t. The accusations were growing louder, and Whitney’s involvement in the scandal was becoming a liability, one he couldn’t ignore.
“Prepare a statement,” he replied with quiet determination. “I’ll address the board first, then the media. We’ll be transparent. Whitney and I are committed to protecting Skye Gem and ensuring its future, no matter the cost.”
His assistant nodded, her expression softening. “Understood, sir. We’ll have everything ready.”
As she left the room, Bryce couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom that seemed to hang over him. He knew the engagement was only a small piece of the puzzle. The real battle would come when Ludwik inevitably made his move. Bryce had no doubt that Ludwik would stop at nothing to win back Whitney. The question was: would the engagement be enough to keep her safe, or would it drive her deeper into Ludwik’s grasp?
As the days passed, the tension between the two powerful men grew, each one maneuvering with cold calculation. Ludwik’s vendetta against Bryce—and against Whitney—was personal. But Bryce, too, had his own fight to win. Neither man would stop until they had Whitney in their hold, and only time would tell who would emerge victorious in this dangerous game of power, betrayal, and love.
