Chapter 60
The man stood with statuesque grace, taking a drag from his cigarette, a wisp of smokezily curling
into the air, partially obscuring his mature and refined features.
Before the panoramic window, he stood tall, akin to a king surveying his realm, his gaze fixed on the
petite woman below.
Felix, ever the observant assistant, offered a pair of binocrs with a knowing grin. “Mr. Lippert, the
view’s much better from up here. You’ll see Ms. Valentine clearly with these!”
Parker quirked a smile, “Felix, you’ve just earned yourself a raise.”
Nn chimed in, “Definitely a raise for Felix.”
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Felix blushed at the praise, but the man nced at the binocrs and scowled, “What do you take me
for? A peeping Tom?”
Felix froze, his body going rigid.
However, in the next second, Ludwik snatched the binocrs and peered through them with keen
interest.
Silence fell.
Nn whispered, “I think we just witnessed the fastest self–contradiction in history.”
Ludwik watched as Whitney struggled to sneak into the hedge, her cheeks glistening with perspiration
as she searched for a perfect vantage point.
With casual authority, hemanded, “It’s zing out there. Take an umbre to her, but make sure
she doesn’t spot you.”
Nn couldn’t help but snicker, “Ludwik, you’re hopeless.”
The man turned, his expression icy, “I don’t want my child getting sunburned, alright?”
Nn muttered under his breath, “Sure, unt your delicate wife while you can.”
“But you’ve got to admit, Whitney’s got brains, figuring out something’s up with her husband so fast.
Still, I’d bet a dime she can’t outsmart the big bad wolf.”
Nn agreed, “Stack another dime on that. She’s got no chance against Ludwik!”
Just then, a soft female voiceced withughter, broke the tension as she entered from the doorway,
“What’s going on with Whitney? How did she manage to bring such cheer to you two young masters
along with Ludwik?”
Ludwik turned to see a woman dressed in a chic business suit nodding at him, “ine, you’re here for
the meeting?”
The Imperial Gem Corporation had an important decision to make, and Ludwik had moved the meeting
from the corporation’s headquarters to the Royal One Club.
Talking in with a graceful smile. “Hello
“The board notified me. I drove over from the branch office,” she said, Nn, Parker,”
Parker greeted her withposure, “Miss ine.”
Nn, however, paused at the mention of ‘Whitney‘, apanied by her coyughter. Quickly, he
greeted her with a polite smile, “ine, always a pleasure!”
“You just love to tease me,” ine responded, slightly annoyed yetposed.
Her figure was elegant in her business attire, exuding a noble charm that certainly didn’t stem from her
job
alone. With her striking beauty, she drew attention as she casually approached the window, smiling, “I
saw Whitney sneaking around downstairs, hiding from Ludwik. Quite amusing.”
12:03
The atmosphere turned awkward as neither Nn nor Parker responded.
Ludwik opened a file, his expression serious, Let’s start the meeting
The meeting ended swiftly, and Nn caught Parker’s eye, signaling for a private chat.
Nn licked his lips nervously, “ine’s ‘Whitney had me breaking out in a cold sweat. Her expression
was so natural. If we didn’t know her history with Ludwik, I’d let it slide. But that softugh of hers, is
she over him, or just ying nice in front of Ludwik?”
Parker couldn’t tell, “With her position at the Imperial Gem Corporation and her distinguished
background from Emperor City, not to mention being strategically ced in Ludwik’spany by both
families, she could hide any displeasure with ease.”
“That’s what worries me. The true belle of Emperor City, ine from the Bartels family, has more
means, stature, and cunning than Whitney. If she’s truly moved on, fine. But if she hasn’t, then…”
Parker squinted slightly, “ine is undoubtedly talented. As the chief jewelry designer at the Imperial
Gem Corporation, and given her family connections, her role holds significant importance within the
Lippert family. Ludwik, with his mother in tow, is actually walking on thin ice. Do you think he wouldn’t
let her go if he could? But based on this situation, if ine doesn’t express her intention to leave,
Ludwik will remain silent.”
Nn scratched his head, “It’s a tough spot, indeed. Whitney’s the unexpected twist, and the Lippert
family probably doesn’t take her seriously, just waiting for the year to pass. But what’s Ludwik’s real
y here? He seems quite taken with Whitney. Either way, Ludwik definitely doesn’t have any feelings
toward ine; otherwise, he would have acted long ago. So, it’s not really Whitney’s fault. And look at
ine, her patience is something else. You know the story of the Ninja Queen, right?”
Parker shot him a nce, “Ludwik knows his own heart. Let’s not gossip.”
ine eavesdropped from around the corner, concealed in the shadows. Despite maintaining a
Her fingers momentarily curled into a fist, then rxed.
She departed discreetly, without causing a scene.
At quarter past ten, Ludwik was preparing to leave the Royal One Club.
Nn nced at the figure hiding among the flowers and smirked, “She’s set on tailing you today,
Ludwik. What’s the n for ying with your darling wife?”
Felix perused the schedule, “Mr. Lippert has a meeting at Alpine Springs Resort today, discussing a
partnership. It’s chilly; his mother needs the springs for her health.”
November hade, and Whitney was over two months along.
Ludwik licked his lips, warming them with his breath, and nced at Parker, “You go to Imperial Gem
Corporation and pretend you’re me.”
“What? Me, the decoy?” Parker said with irritation.
Nn volunteered with a mischievous grin, “You know Whitney’s friend, the one with the cute, doe–
eyed look? Maybe I should try my charm on her!”
“You’re not her type,” Ludwik replied, his words sharp and without mercy.
Nn was left speechless.
ine approached, clutching a folder, her demeanor both efficient and gentle. “Ludwik, Mr. Lutz
happens to be at the Alpine Springs Resort. Shall we ride together? I can drive.”
Nn cast a meaningful nce in their direction.
Ludwik remained silent.
*
Just before departure, ine came running over, a hint of apology in her warm and soothing eyes.
When she towered her gaze, it could make a man feel she was particrly innocent. “I’m sorry, Ludwik;
my car broke
down.”
In his usual businesslike manner, Ludwik offered a gentlemanly solution, “I can give you a ride.”
ine slid into the passenger seat of his car.
Ludwik frowned slightly, but his attention was drawn to the red sedan behind them.
Inside, Whitney was cautiously reversing. The corner of his eye caught the action with a hint of
amusement.
ine nced back, her expression easy as she teased, “Is Whitney following you?”
“Hmm,” he replied, not inclined to borate.
ine returned to her documents in silence.
Deliberately driving slowly, Ludwik ensured not to lose the small car behind them.
As he reached for a cigarette, a half–ring on a red string fell out.
“Let me get that for you, Ludwik,” ine said, leaning over to pick it up. She had seen him carry that
half–ring for years and had inquired about its significance.
Seeing Ludwik look at the ring with a deep gaze, ine smiled slightly and asked, “Haven’t found the
person who saved your life yet?”
“I only know it was a girl. Afraid I might never find her,” Ludwik admitted, his heart forever softened by
the memory of the girl who had saved him that night.
ine eyed the half–ring, reading his expression and realizing he truly hadn’t found her. A thought
flickered in the shadows of her eyes, and biting her lip, she ventured, “Ludwik, you know my family has
a long lineage in medicine, and I have some skill myself. Actually, I am…”
Suddenly, Ludwik braked the car, his attention divided as he noticed the red sedaning to a halt
behind them. Despite the distraction, he caught ine’s hesitant confession and he turned to look at
her, his eyes intense, “You are what?”