Chapter 102


    Nn’s face suddenly tensed, and he awkwardly asked, “Is that what Big Bro told you?”


    “Yeah,” Whitney locked eyes with him, not missing the subtle shift in his expression. Her heart sank.


    “Isn’t that the case?”


    “If he said so, it must be true!” Nn replied, his voice betraying his unease. He quickly tried to smooth


    things over. “Whitney, you must know, Big Bro’s totally into you. Before you came along, he never had


    a single girl on his mind.”


    Except for the girl who saved his life, but she was nowhere to be found.


    Nn convinced himself he was not lying. “You’re smart. If you argue with him over ine, you’re only


    hurting yourself. Besides, Big Bro is a tough nut to crack; you need to be more understanding of his


    temper. There’s a reason for it…”


    His tone grew somber, “He doesn’t trust easily because of his past. To him, trust means vulnerability.


    You have no idea what he’s been through. But he’s starting to let you into his iceberg kingdom. We can


    all see it! Don’t be fooled by his stone–cold exterior–that’s just his battle armor. Inside, he’s fragile. His


    anger means he’s starting to care about you, to be emotionally involved. You can’t let him down, or he’ll


    lose it.”


    Nn’s heavy warning sent a chill through Whitney, who was already sensing the unusual stirrings of


    L’s emotions, particrly his terrifying jealousy.


    So, all his doubts stemmed from past hurt? The mistrust, but now he was opening up his frozen heart


    for her?


    Could it be true?


    Whitney thought she must be crazy to buy into Nn’s words.


    But women are emotional creatures, and she had guessed that since L lived with Natalie, keeping her


    close and protected, his family background must weigh heavily on him.


    Her heart softened just a bit, but she was still furious that he seemed to favor ine.


    “Think it over. If you decide to stay with him, please try to be more patient.” Nn sighed, then hurried


    back to the party, ying the mediator once more.


    Whitney stood rooted to the spot, unsure whether to leave or stay.


    She was in the parking lot, next to the garden, where the lights were dim. Her car was just ahead when


    suddenly, a figure approached her.


    She spun around,ing face to face with a portly man she did not recognize.


    “Ms. Valentine, I’m Mr. Wendt. Were you looking for me?” Mr. Wendt slurred, his gaze on Whitney


    heated and urgent.


    She immediately noticed the off scent on his breath.


    “Why don’t we find a quiet ce to talk? Did you want to discuss renting a Skye Gem kiosk space in


    my mall?” Mr. Wendt leered, remembering how this woman seemed to flirt with him during the party.


    Now that his nagging wife was gone, he was itching for some excitement.


    “I wasn’t looking for you, Mr. Wendt. You’re not well. You should see a doctor.”


    Whitney quickly shook off his hand and made a beeline for her car.


    Suddenly, Mr. Wendt pounced from behind, mping a chloroform–soaked cloth over Whitney’s mouth


    and


    nose.


    She struggled violently. “Mr. Wendt! Let go of me…”


    Overpowered, she was no match for his strength. Mr. Wendt dragged her into the dark garden, heading


    for a


    ground–floor guest room with a lecherous smile. Inside, another man named Dante was waiting. They


    exchanged a knowing grin. “Got a tip she’d be alone tonight. With her reputation, we can do whatever


    Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    we want!”


    Whitney, barely conscious, heard their conversation and felt herself beingid on a bed. With thest


    shred of awareness, she fished out an antidote pill from her dress and slipped it into her mouth, hoping


    it would counteract the effects of the drug.


    “Look at her, lifting her dress in desperation!” Mr. Wendt chuckled nastily.


    From the surveince, Hannah watched everything unfold with a triumphant cackle.


    She quickly called ine, barely containing her excitement. “ine, everything’s set. Where’s Big


    Bro?”


    ine’s eyes sparkled with malice, though her expression remained calm. “Hannah, don’t be naughty.


    He is still in the lounge.”


    “Come and watch the show, ine. Whitney will lose Big Bro’s favorpletely tonight, and then I’ll


    have my chance!”


    “No, it would be my chance. He has always been mine,” ine thought.


    She rose gracefully from her seat, unaware that the events in the garden had been witnessed.


    Bryce’s assistant rushed back into the party and whispered urgently.


    Bryce’s refined face darkened as he asked, “Did you see where they took her?”


    The assistant nodded and led the way.


    In the lounge, Nn nearly choked on the smoke. Ludwik sat like a statue, eyes closed, surrounded by


    a chilly


    aura.


    Risking a rebuke, Nn teased, “Ease up on the smoking. You’ve barely started your romance with


    Whitney; don’t let lung cancer beat you to it. That girl’s pretty obedient. I just yed the emotional card,


    and her eyes softened. Such a delicate, proud woman is easy to tame. I don’t get why you’re so fiercely


    possessive. Big Bro, I know you’re suspicious by nature. You believe a young woman in the business


    world can’t be that innocent. But I’ve seen her clear eyes. Even if she’s working with Bryce as a


    supplier, there’s nothing between them. At worst, she’s just disappointed you.”


    “That day in the private room, I saw her throw herself into Bryce’s arms on purpose. I don’t respect


    such tactics.”


    Women in business often put on a show better than men, and Nn knew Ludwik tolerated no


    deception.


    “You, a man of power, should just find a little housekeeper–no social life, just someone to look after you


    and warm your bed. But you had to fall for a CEO. You’ve only got yourself to me.”


    “Who says I like her?” Ludwik’s voice was dangerously low.


    Nn shrugged. Ludwik was still in denial, but his possessiveness said it all.


    “She came out tonight looking for you. Maybe she’s still waiting out there. Just talk to her. Is she


    carrying someone else’s child?”


    Ludwik’s eyshes fluttered before he snuffed out his cigarette and nced out the window into the


    cold night. Standing up, his expression icy, he asked, “Where is she?”


    Nn’s face lit up, eager to mention something about the parking lot when the door suddenly swung


    open, and Hannah burst in, her expression a bizarre mix of emotions as she blurted out, “There’s


    trouble brewing. Just now, outside, there’s this rumor swirling around that Whitney and that Mr. Wendt


    were caught in a hush–hush chat in the garden, and then–they strolled into the downstairs guest room!


    And it seems there was another man involved. I mean, what’s with Whitney? Even if she’s at odds with


    you, she’s got no right to cheat…”


    “Hannah, don’t you go spreading tales about Whitney!” ine interjected as she approached, her eyes


    flickering


    with hesitation before settling on Ludwik as if afraid to speak. “The rumors are flying wild outside. I


    wanted to steer clear of Whitney’s business, but she might be in a fix with Mr. Wendt. Maybe she just


    wanted to talk business, and Mr. Wendt got the wrong end of the stick. You’ve got to go save her!”


    A chilling aura enveloped Ludwik, his demeanor turning icy.