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Chapter_258
Ludwik stormed down the hallway, fury crackling off him like static. His thoughts spun out of control, the night unraveling faster than he could grasp. Whitney’s provocation had been bad enough. Elaine’s desperation had added fuel to the fire. But Danny’s disappearance? That changed everything.
Behind him, Elaine struggled to keep pace, her breath shallow, panic closing in like a vice. The idea of Whitney discovering Danny—their son—terrified her. If Whitney uncovered the truth now, all of Elaine’s years of carefully constructed lies would collapse. The fallout would be nuclear.
Ludwik’s phone buzzed again. He glanced down. A new message from his head of security:
“Located the boy. East side of the venue.”
His eyes narrowed. So the little brat had slipped through the guards. Again. But this wasn’t the moment for blame—this was damage control. He needed to reach Danny before Whitney did. He knew her too well. She’d seize any opportunity to twist the knife.
“Ludwik—” Elaine’s voice cracked as she reached out to him. “She can’t see him. If she sees him—”
“I know,” he snapped, his voice as cold as steel. “We get there first. Stay close.”
Elaine fell silent, her pulse thundering in her ears. She obeyed, even as dread clawed at her insides. Whitney was unpredictable. Smart. And if she laid eyes on Danny, the fallout would be more than either of them could contain.
The east wing of the venue was quiet—too quiet. The noise of the gala faded behind them as they turned a corner and spotted a lone figure: Ludwik’s bodyguard, tense and alert.
Ludwik’s pace quickened. “Is he okay?”
“Yes, sir,” the man replied. “But… he’s not alone.”
Ludwik froze mid-step. “What?”
The bodyguard hesitated. “Miss Whitney is with him.”
Elaine went pale. Her fingers curled tightly around her clutch. “No. No, no, she can’t—”
But Ludwik was already moving, his stride long and furious. Elaine followed, her heart in her throat.
They rounded the final corner—and saw her.
Whitney stood calmly, arms crossed, wearing a smug little smile. And beside her, like an anchor in a sea of tension, stood Danny. The boy looked up, his face blank, unreadable. Unbothered.
Ludwik’s rage surged. He didn’t even try to hide it.
“Whitney,” he bit out, each syllable laced with fury. “What are you doing with him?”
She looked amused, not even flinching. “Oh, nothing much, Mr. Lippert. Just getting acquainted with your son. He’s bright. Observant. Quite like you, really.”
He took a step forward, jaw clenched. “Stay away from him.”
She tilted her head, her smile deepening. “Oh, I’m only giving him the attention he’s clearly been missing. You really should spend more time with him. He’s got your eyes, you know. That sharpness… the kind that cuts through lies.”
Elaine stood rigid behind Ludwik, silently praying Whitney wouldn’t push further. But it was already too late—Whitney knew she had the upper hand, and she was savoring it.
“Danny,” Ludwik said gently, crouching down. His voice softened, trying to coax his son away from the woman he feared most. “Come here, buddy. Let’s go home.”
Danny didn’t move. He looked between the two adults, brow furrowed. He wasn’t scared—just confused. Whitney’s smile remained in place, but there was something dangerous behind it now.
“Relax, Ludwik,” she said smoothly. “I haven’t said a word to him… yet. But be careful. The truth has a nasty habit of finding its way out, whether you like it or not.”
Ludwik’s insides twisted, but he didn’t show it. He straightened slowly, never taking his eyes off her.
“You’ve made your point,” he said tightly. “Now stay away from my son.”
Without another word, he reached for Danny’s hand and turned away, guiding him out of Whitney’s orbit. Elaine followed, her silence a thunderous drumbeat of dread.
But Ludwik could feel her—Whitney’s eyes on him. Watching. Calculating. Waiting.
This wasn’t over.
Not by a long shot.
