Chapter 118


    Whitney had half a mind to hurt a pillow at him with all her might, the scoundrel. Climbing onto her tiny


    bed, she resolved to give him the silent treatment.


    Ludwik licked his lips and teased her with a devilish charm, “See? It doesn’t hurt anymore. I told you,


    my technique works wonders.”


    “Drop dead.”


    Whitney buried her flushed face into the pillow, extending a foot, attempting to push his hospital bed


    away


    The man watched her quietly, his gaze lingering on her delicate, pale foot. He mused that perhaps he


    had not had his fill


    But when he awoke the next morning, his wife was nowhere to be seen, and Ludwik’s expression


    darkened.


    Felix entered, saying. “Madam went back to the vi early this morning. She wanted to check on


    Natalie and said she’d bring over some of your clothes.”


    Ah, she was probably too shy afterst night’s intimacy to face him in the morning.


    Ludwik’s lips curled into a smirk once more.


    Witnessing Mr. Lippert’s mood swung that could rival the weather, Felix grimaced inwardly. Love was a


    no–go for him if it meant bing lovesick like Mr. Lippert,


    Back at the vi, Whitney made sure to visit Natalie in the guesthouse.


    Natalie was nearly back to her old self, her consciousness clear. Holding Whitney’s hand, she


    expressed her joy. “My dear Whitney, it’s been too long. Is your little bump showing yet? That rascal


    told me over the phone you’re about four months along. Once we get the ultrasound, I’ll have a good


    look.”


    Natalie’s condition was undoubtedly deteriorating, as she was even unclear about the duration of the


    pregnancy.


    Whitney sighed inwardly.


    However, Natalie looked at her intently and added, “I seem to recall, on the day of my episode, were


    you there? I remember you saying something by my bedside, encouraging me. Whitney, you’re truly


    kind–hearted.”


    Whitney was ted, amid Natalie’s confused memories, she remembered her presence.


    But there was no need to exin anything to L; she had intended to save Natalie sincerely, though


    ine had reaped the benefits. She initially hid her medical skills, so revealing it now might lead L. to


    overthink.


    Considering her words carefully, Whitney also reminded Natalie, “Mom, if ine visits you, make sure


    you have more servants around or notify me immediately.”


    Natalie’s eyes darkened as she gripped Whitney’s hand tighter, saying, “I don’t know why, but I feel the


    need to warn you too, stay away from that girl.”


    Natalie could not articte her reasoning; she only had a gut feeling to keep ine at bay.


    Whitney, who had already seen ine’s true colors, suspected that ine might have previously done


    something to Natalie.


    She needed to expose ine to L as soon as possible, leaving him no room for doubt.


    On her way back to the hospital, Whitney received a call from Valerie. She had justnded at Banyan


    City International Airport and requested a pickup.


    Whitney had not expected her friend’s return to be so immediatel


    Excited, she hurriedly got back to the hospital room, dropped off the freshundry, and stole a nce


    at the man engrossed in paperwork. “A friend of mine has returned. I’m going to a gathering, so I might


    be backte,” she said quickly.


    Ludwik looked up, about to respond, when his eyes caught her tight sweater dress.


    Frowning, his gaze deep and authoritative, he said, “You’re going to a gathering dressed like that?


    Change it.”


    “What’s wrong with it?” Whitney did not get it; she thought her outfit was quite casual.


    *Pregnant women should dress like pregnant women,” Ludwik insisted, eager for her to start showing


    so that other men would know she was taken and expecting.


    Otherwise, her slender, graceful figure…


    Speechless, Whitney retorted, “I’m not even showing yet. I don’t want to wear something so frumpy.”


    Ludwik ignored her protests and turned to Felix, “Isn’t what she’s wearing now frumpy?”


    With a headache brewing, Felix felt like he was being forced into the crossfire of a lovers‘ spat.


    Under the weight of authority, Felix bowed his head, “Madam’s outfit is indeed unttering.”


    “Then find her something nice to wear,” Ludwik instructed before returning to his paperwork.


    Ten minutester, Whitney left the hospital in a straight–cut pinafore dress, her expression sour.


    Banyan City International Airport.


    Valerie stepped off the ne, her long legs striding towards the shuttle.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Nearby, a man in a ck coat with a military haircut stepped out of a private jet, his profile sharp and


    chiseled. He briskly walked by, deeply engrossed in a phone call.


    As he passed Valerie, his voice, unlike its usual coldness, softened, “ine, I’m back in the country. No


    need to thank me. It was just a casual mention to the overseas judges. But if you really want to show


    gratitude, how about we meet tonight?”


    Valerie felt like a gulp of icy air was lodged in her throat, unable to swallow or exhale.


    Her heart ached as she focused intently on the dusk ahead, knowing she was about to meet a good


    friend and could not afford to have red, tearful eyes.


    A coldugh escaped her.


    At the domestic arrivals gate, Whitney immediately spotted Valerie’s figure.


    Tall and striking, her face was a picture of high–ss, aloof beauty. She wore a pale gray trench coat


    over skinny jeans and boots.


    “Valeriel” Whitney called out with a smile.


    Just then, Tiana parked the car and ran over. She did a double–take at Whitney’s outfit and burst into


    Speechless, Whitney grumbled, “L, that damn man, forced me into it. The outfit rendered her waistline


    nonexistent and her legs invisible.


    Tiana gave her a once–over, her cheeks rosy with joy, and nudged her. “Spending two days cozying up


    with Lin the hospital has really warmed things up between you two. Looks like he’s keeping you on a


    tight leash. But honestly, you seem to be enjoying it.”


    Pfft, as if.


    Yet, thinking aboutst night….


    Whitney recalled their intimacy; it was her first time doing something like that, and she was utterly lost


    in the


    haze.


    The memory still made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.


    Considering the night of the banquet when he had kept her confined and kissed her for so long, plus


    their recent boundary–breaking moment…


    Her rtionship with L had indeed ascended to a new level.


    Approaching Whitney, Valerie noticed the sweet radiance on her friend’s face. She knew about the


    pregnancy and the man in Whitney’s life and smiled, “Whitney, have you finally met the right guy? It’s


    precious, cherish


    this love.”


    Her voice carried a hint of weary sophistication, causing Tiana and Whitney’s embrace to pause as


    they looked up at her.


    Valerie’s youthful face was serene, betraying only a shadow of darkness.


    She mustered a faint smile. “Let’s go. It’s been a while. We should catch up.”


    Whitney signaled Tiana not to pry just yet. Tiana nodded subtly and drove Valerie to her apartment to


    drop off her luggage.


    Then they decided to hit a local pub to rx.


    But just as they arrived, they bumped into Nn. He seemed to havee on purpose, waiting outside


    for quite some time, with Parker standing behind him, nursing a drink.


    The moment Nn saw Valerie, Whitney could tell something was off in his gaze.


    There was a sh of suppressed brightness in his eyes. The usually suave yboy seemed a tad


    nervous. He blocked Valerie’s path, the tall man towering over her, his voice taut, “Valerie, why did not


    you tell me you were back from abroad? If I had not overheard my father mention it… Where’s Ashton?


    Isn’t he with you? Where is he?