Chapter 57


    Grumpy and without much of a choice, she turned with a resigned sigh, reaching for the fridge to grab


    some spaghetti, tomatoes and meat.


    Ludwik furrowed, gesturing to the other plentiful ingredients, “With all these, you’re just going to make


    spaghetti for me?”


    “Is there a problem with spaghetti?” she retorted. “Be grateful I’m cooking for you!”


    Momentster, she served the spaghetti and quickly retreated upstairs.


    After devouring the spaghetti, Ludwik’s mood improved marginally. When he headed up for a shower,


    he found the master bedroom door firmly shut and locked. He couldn’t get in.


    From behind the door, Whitney emboldened herself, “Mom’s gone to sleep in the main house. From


    now on, please don’te to my room Mr. L. I don’t agree to your sleeping on the couch either.”


    “Why not?” His expression turned icy.


    It was silence from inside. She was probably scrambling for an excuse. Then Whitney blurted out, “My


    baby needs to sleep well.”


    Ludwik’s face darkened further as he headed to the guest bathroom.


    Whitney was worried he’d be furious. From the get–go, she knew this man had a temper.


    Peeking out, she saw the guest bathroom door coldly shut.


    With no Taryn to attend to him, his privileged self had tossed his shirt carelessly around. Whitney


    picked up his shirt and was intended to put it back, when she saw a slim cigarette fall out of the pocket.


    It was luxurious to the touch, clearly a bespoke brand.


    That wasn’t the point, though. Whitney’s eyes widened as she stared at the cigarette, turning it over


    and over in her hands.


    She was certain she had seen her nemesis, Ludwik, smoking the same brand in the hallway that


    afternoon!


    The scent and the look were identical.


    Why? Suddenly, Whitney turned to stare at the bathroom door dazedly.


    She hurried back to her bedroom and closed the door, sinking into peculiar contemtion.


    At four in the morning, Tiana was jolted awake by her phone.


    Whitney’s voice was odd, “Tiana?”


    “Ugh, where am I?” Tiana groaned, rubbing her eyes. “Damn it, Whitney, did you ditch me at the hotel


    and go home?”


    Tiana got up and saw the mess on the dresser, bits ofst night’s memories flooding back. She


    chuckled groggily, “I dreamed I saw a couple making out in front of me, Whitney. But then they left…”


    Whitney’s face turned pale in an instant. She tried hard to steady her expression and said, “Tiana, I’ve


    got urgent news. I think I’ve stumbled upon a huge conspiracy.”


    “What kind of conspiracy?” Tiana was all ears now.


    With a heavy sigh, Whitney said, “About L and Ludwik!”


    “What is it? You’re not calling me in the middle of the night to tell me the two heartthrobs around you


    are actually gay, are you?”


    “What nonsense are you talking about?”


    Just spit it out.”


    “Have you ever considered that L and Ludwik might be the same person?”


    “What?”


    Tigna’s face filled with confusion and a touch of horror, “Have I been thinking too conservatively?


    Whitney. you’re seriously bold with this theory!”


    Whitney’s eyes narrowed, her mind whirling like a storm, “Tonight, I noticed that L and Ludwik smoke


    the same brand of cigarettes! Those aren’t sold on the market. Don’t you think that’s too much of a


    coincidence?”


    “Not just that. Today, Ludwik defended me, using a draft I’d only discussed with L earlier. I never gave it


    anyone else before. I asked if L knew Ludwik but he dodged the question! Ludwik did the same this


    afternoon! And most importantly, I recalled a detail,”


    “Ludwik mentioned he didn’t like tackyndscape paintings, which is exactly how I described L before.


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    If Lis really Ludwik, I’m done–I’ve cursed Ludwik to his face about his shorings!”


    “Why be so harsh? ording to this theory, isn’t he your husband?”


    “I lied to Ludwik about going home to take care of my husband, L. And when L came to the bar, he


    asked me directly why I hadn’t gone home to take care of him. What do you think?” Whitney grew more


    agitated as she spoke, “Think about it, L and Ludwik are both six–foot–two, and they even smell


    simr.”


    “Did you sniff them?” Tiana teased with a mischievous smile.


    Whitney paused for a second, “Besides, as my nemesis, Ludwik wouldn’t help me without any reasons.


    Unless… he is L. A man like him wouldn’t just stand by if his wife was bullied.”


    Tiana watched Whitney turn detective, interrupting, “So it’s all because of a cigarette that sparked this


    revtion?”


    “What do you think? If they’re the same person, then L has a good reason for wearing the mask all the


    time!” Whitney paced anxiously.


    Tiana stroked her chin thoughtfully, “It’s not impossible. Girl, what are you waiting for? If you’re


    suspicious, let’s go look for evidence!”


    Of course they needed to seek for evidence.


    But it had to be done quietly, before the man caught wind of their suspicions.


    If L really was Ludwik, Whitney couldn’t imagine how shattered she’d feel.


    He’d been ying her all along!


    In the morning, Whitney intentionally got upte, after L had left the vi.


    After Natalie coaxed her into eating several cans of bird’s nest soup for breakfast, Whitney rushed out


    the door. She and Tiana had already nned to visit the tobo bureau to consult with an expert.


    Whitney presented the stolen gentleman’s luxurious cigarette.


    The expert examined it and said it wasn’t soldmercially. This imported slim cigarette was


    exorbitantly priced and globally limited. Only fewer than ten men in the world could boast ownership.


    Fewer than ten? And two just happened to be in Banyan City?


    Tiana frowned, “I can believe some big–shot from the jewelry world puffing on fancy cigars, but L? At


    best, he looks like he’s got some cash to throw around.”


    Whitney nced at her, “Isn’t everything worth a second guess?”


    The pair made their way back to the building Whitney had visited before, the one L imed to be his


    When they reached the 28th floor, it was as Whitney suspected; L’s office had vanished into thin air.


    “I told you, he probably rented some makeshift space to y a little game with his darling wife.” Tiana


    said with a twinkle in her eye, yfully teasing Whitney.


    Whitney pursed her lips, “This means his realpany must be something serious. It points even more


    to the possibility of it being something like Imperial Gem Corporation, a global giant.”


    At lunchtime, Whitney stayed out, avoiding a trip home because she had overheard Natalie mention


    that L would be stopping by the house around noon.


    She had a n brewing!