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Chapter_263
The room looked like a hurricane had torn through it. Clothes scattered, broken glass glittered on the floor. Elaine lay slumped near the edge of the vanity, blood trickling from a cut on her forehead. She struggled upright, staggering toward Ludwik, tears streaming down her face.
“Ludwik,” she whimpered, clutching his sleeve. “It’s just a small accident. Don’t be angry with Danny—he’s got a temper, sure, but his heart’s in the right place. A little ointment, and I’ll be fine.”
Ludwik turned sharply to his son. “Daniel!”
Sammy sat on the edge of the bathtub, unbothered, almost serene. But Ludwik’s anger surged. He remembered all too well how the boy had been cool and standoffish toward Elaine lately. Sammy had become withdrawn, difficult to read. The silence, the defiance—it grated on his nerves.
“Stand up and explain yourself!” Ludwik snapped. “Did you hit your mother? Just because she pinched you earlier, you think that justifies violence?”
Sammy stared back at him with a cool defiance, but in his heart, he sneered. So this is how Dad usually misjudges my brother? No wonder this idiot got played like a fiddle by that woman. He shot Elaine a brief glance. She was still playing the role of the injured, helpless angel. But she’d finally picked the wrong opponent.
He rose slowly, eyes wide with childlike innocence. “Dad, I didn’t hit Mom. I love her. Why would I ever hurt her?”
Elaine’s mouth twitched. Those were her own words, spoken in past acts of manipulation. When had this little devil learned to mimic her so precisely?
Ludwik, watching his son’s gentle tone and composed demeanor, hesitated. But then he looked at Elaine’s wound. The bleeding cut on her forehead was real enough.
“Danny,” he said sternly, “the evidence is right there. Don’t lie to me. You’re not a little boy anymore. You need to take responsibility for your actions. If you go on like this, you’ll end up in real trouble someday. You’re grounded tonight.”
Sammy’s gaze didn’t falter. “What if I told you she did it to herself? Would you believe me then?”
Ludwik blinked. Elaine’s expression faltered.
“Daniel, enough,” Ludwik snapped. “Men don’t point fingers when they’re in the wrong. Have you forgotten what your father taught you?”
“It’s true!” Sammy insisted, pulling on his father’s hand, eyes wide with hurt. “She held my head underwater! I couldn’t breathe! I swear I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Elaine knelt beside them suddenly, eyes shimmering. “Danny, even if you lie about me, I won’t hold it against you. You’re still my child. I raised you with love. Why would I ever hurt you?” She stroked his hair tenderly, casting a teary look up at Ludwik. “He’s just acting out. I’m sure he regrets it already.”
Ludwik sighed and took her hand. “Elaine, I know how hard you’ve tried with this family. I’ll deal with him.”
But then—a voice echoed through the room.
“Ah! What are you doing, you little brat…”
“Mom, stop! I can’t breathe… please don’t hit me—”
“You dare talk back to me?!”
The woman’s voice was harsh, cruel. The boy’s cries were muffled, desperate. Ludwik’s blood ran cold. He turned slowly.
Sammy stood there, holding up his phone. “I just brought it to play games,” he said softly. “I didn’t know it would record anything. Don’t be mad, Mom. I’m sorry. I’ll be good. Just… don’t hit me again.”
Elaine’s face drained of color. She stared at him in disbelief. When did he record this? She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Ludwik snatched the phone, listening again. The voices were unmistakable. His stomach twisted.
“Elaine,” he said quietly, eyes narrowing, “care to explain why you hit him?”
Elaine’s breath hitched. “I—I didn’t mean to. Danny wouldn’t cooperate during bath time. He was being difficult, and I’ve had such a rough night…”
She collapsed into Ludwik’s arms, sobbing. “Please, believe me. He’s always hated me. And Whitney—Whitney attacked me at the auction, humiliated me! Now every woman in Banyan and Emperor City is mocking me behind my back. They’re messaging each other online, calling me names. Even tonight, Whitney insulted me in the restroom, threw her marriage certificate in my face and called me a mistress. And you—” she looked up at him, eyes red, voice breaking, “you keep pushing me away. I’ve held everything in for three years, Ludwik! It’s all too much!”
Ludwik’s head throbbed. Her grief was overwhelming. The night had been humiliating. Whitney’s sudden reappearance, her biting words, her triumph at the auction—it all stabbed at Elaine’s pride.
He rubbed his temples, caught in a storm of guilt and confusion. Maybe Elaine had only lashed out under pressure. Maybe seeing Danny—the image of Whitney—triggered something in her…
He exhaled deeply and hugged her. “You still shouldn’t have hit him,” he murmured. “He’s just a child. If he stops trusting you, it’ll all fall apart. Be smarter than this.”
Elaine sniffled, meek. “I’m sorry. I really am. I just want things to go back to the way they were…”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “You don’t still have feelings for Whitney, do you? Unless… she’s drugged you again? You remember what happened three years ago. She knows medicine—she could’ve messed with your sleep…”
Ludwik froze. The memory stung like a knife. Could she really have— No. And yet… Whitney had changed so much. Cold, calculating. He didn’t know her anymore.
Elaine, sensing she had struck a nerve, pressed on: “I don’t mean to accuse her, but think about it. She’s back and suddenly charming Bryce, Orion… taking over Skye Gem Ltd like it’s hers. She’s not here to reunite with you, Ludwik. She’s here to tear us apart.”
Ludwik clenched his jaw. “Don’t worry. You’re the one I’m with now. I won’t let her provoke you.”
Elaine smiled, victorious. “That’s all I needed to hear.” Then, with a sigh, she added, “I was wrong about Danny. I’ll apologize now.”
She walked into the bathroom where Sammy was drying off, the maid helping him into his pajamas. She bent down, offering a rehearsed smile.
“Sweetheart, Mommy was wrong earlier. I lost my temper. I hope you can forgive me.”
Sammy smiled back, too sweetly. “That’s okay, Mommy. No matter how hard you hit me, I won’t hold it against you.”
Elaine’s mouth twitched.
Sammy turned to Ludwik with a sleepy grin. “Daddy, I’m tired. I’m going to bed now.”
Ludwik crouched, inspecting him. “Are you sure you’re alright? Your mom was a little rough…”
“I can handle myself.” Sammy’s voice was light, but his glance toward Elaine was sharp and knowing.
As he bounced off to his room, Elaine watched him go, unsettled. That sly little look… it unnerved her.
“Ludwik,” she said uneasily, “don’t you think Danny was… a bit strange tonight?”
