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Chapter_281
Elaine’s fury was almost tangible as she glared at Whitney, her face contorting with rage. “You shameless harlot, how dare you seduce Ludwik? I’ll make you regret this!” Her scream was so loud it drew disapproving glances from bystanders. But Elaine was beyond caring now, her temper fully unleashed. She charged at Whitney, grabbing her by the hair, intent on dragging her to the ground.
Out of control, Elaine hissed, “Shameless! He’s mine! You think you can win him back with that trashy body of yours? Dream on! He’s all about me now; he wouldn’t stand for me being disrespected, not even for a second. Just one word from me, and he’d wipe you out, believe it or not!”
Whitney, unfazed, smirked. “Oh, I believe you,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery as she recalled the cold, harsh words Ludwik had spoken to her just hours ago. She couldn’t help but laugh, a sound that only seemed to infuriate Elaine further.
Taken aback by Whitney’s response, Elaine hesitated for a split second—just long enough for Whitney to seize control. With a swift movement, she restrained Elaine, clicking her tongue in disdain. “Elaine, you used to be so clever. What happened to you? Resorting to street-brawling tactics now?” Whitney’s eyes gleamed with amusement as she sized Elaine up. “You must be desperate. Three years of pining for a man, and still you can’t let go. All while I can get him excited in a second. He might be all over you, but deep down, I think he’s just biding his time.”
Whitney’s words cut deeper than she intended, but she reveled in the power she held. A rush of vindictive pleasure surged through her as she thought back to Orion’s advice: Make Ludwik fall for you again, then make them pay tenfold. Seeing Elaine flustered was proof that her plan was working, and it fueled her satisfaction.
Elaine’s rage reached its peak. “You think Ludwik would still want you? In his eyes, you’re nothing but trash compared to me!” she spat, the venom in her voice unmistakable. “And about last night—don’t flatter yourself. His ‘condition’ will be cured soon, and your seduction won’t matter then!”
Whitney raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful grin. “Oh, Elaine, did you not know that the ‘miracle doctor’ you’re so hopeful about has stopped practicing?”
Elaine’s frustration was palpable as she snapped, “How do you know?”
Feigning surprise, Whitney smirked. “You mean you didn’t know the miracle doctor’s name… is Whitney?”
Elaine froze. Her face flickered with confusion, then anger. “What are you, some miracle worker now? A few acupuncture tricks, and you think you can cure Ludwik? I couldn’t do it—what makes you think you can?”
Whitney couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Of course, you couldn’t. You just don’t have the charm. He’s simply not into you.”
Elaine’s fury bubbled over. “Wretch!” she yelled, “I’ll tear that mouth of yours off!”
“Truth hurts, doesn’t it?” Whitney retorted coolly, her eyes glittering with a touch of cruelty. As Elaine lunged at her again, Whitney grabbed a nearby trash can and shoved it into Elaine’s arms. “Here, go tear up some paper. But be careful; hotel trash cans are pretty filthy.”
Disgusted, Elaine threw the trash can at Whitney’s retreating figure, her face contorted with jealousy and hatred. “You won’t get away with this! Dream on about taking over Skye Gem Ltd.!”
Whitney didn’t look back as Elaine stormed off, a malice-filled look in her eyes. She knew this wasn’t over—not by a long shot. As Elaine drove away, Whitney gave a firm press of her lips, taking one last look at the hotel before heading out herself. She had plans to set into motion, and she wouldn’t let Elaine’s petty antics stop her.
On the road, Whitney messaged Kelvin, informing him that Ludwik had secured a visiting pass for him. She had to move quickly before Elaine caught wind of her next move.
—
By the time Whitney arrived at Tiana’s to pick up Sammy, she was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Tiana greeted her with concern, her eyes filled with worry. “Where were you last night? Sammy was worried.”
Whitney, avoiding the question about her late-night rendezvous with Orion, headed inside to find her son. Sammy was seated on the floor, playing with Cherry, his little sister. He was gentle with her, his usual aloof demeanor gone. Tiana, visibly confused by the change, shared her surprise with Whitney.
Whitney, relieved to see Sammy’s tenderness, chalked it up to a spontaneous recovery from his condition. She didn’t think much of it as they prepared to leave, but the shift in his behavior lingered in her mind.
As they walked out, Sammy caught sight of a mark on his mother’s neck and, concerned, asked if she was okay. Whitney, touched by his sensitivity, assured him she was fine. But she couldn’t help but reflect on how unpredictable Sammy’s condition was, and how it seemed to affect him more than anyone realized.
Sammy, however, was already thinking about something else. “Mom,” he began cautiously, “you know I’ve been dabbling in hacking, right?”
Whitney, sensing there was more to his words, nodded. “Uh-huh?”
With a bit of embellishment, Sammy pressed on. “I heard about how Dad’s mom is in a coma, and that you’re working on some miracle cure. Funny coincidence, I found someone on the dark web willing to pay a lot for a drug. The patient’s name is Natalie. She’s been in a vegetative state for three years, but her hand just started moving. Could that be my grandma?”
Whitney’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as she turned to look at him, surprised. “Are you sure her name’s Natalie?”
Sammy nodded confidently. “I’m pretty good with names, so yeah, I’m sure.”
A wave of relief washed over Whitney. If Natalie’s hand had started moving, it meant that the drug she’d left all those years ago had begun to work. Taryn had obviously taken good care of her, and the toxins must have been clearing out. Whitney felt a sense of hope for the first time in a while.
But there was still the matter of getting the new drug to Everwood Villa Estate without Elaine noticing. Whitney was troubled, but Sammy, with his sharp mind, was already thinking of a solution. He grinned slyly, making it clear that he had plans of his own.
Meanwhile, Elaine was far from done. Fuming with rage, she didn’t return to the estate but instead had Jaxon gather all the anxious senior shareholders of Skye Gem Ltd. for an emergency meeting. Elaine’s eyes burned with fury as she prepared to make her next move.
