Chapter 154
Bryce’s gaze turned frosty as he faced off with Ludwik, whose influence was as vast as the ocean. But
Bryce was not one to be easily daunted. “If that dayes, may the best man win,” he dered with a
steely resolve. And with that, he left.
Standing in the elevator, Ludwik fixed a hawk–like stare on the back of Bryce’s head. Felix could feel
the chill emanating from his boss, a clear sign that his mood had soured even further.
Rivalry in love, a tangled situation with Whitney–what a mess.
As the elevator doors slid shut, ine emerged from the shadows. She watched Ludwik descend, then
turned her thoughtful gaze toward Bryce.
Was Bryce truly this taken with Whitney?
A cold smirk yed on ine’s lips as she dialed her assistant. “The investigation I asked you to
conduct on Whitney’s whereaboutsst night–what have you found?”
Whitney had rushed to the police station soaking wet that morning–certainly not a regr urrence.
Ludwik, in his fury, had overlooked the details.
The assistant replied, “ine, I’ve discovered that Bryce helped Whitney sneak into the hospital to
save Braxton. Later, Bryce was drugged by a rival, and Whitney rushed to his hotel. They were trapped
together until the morning.”
What?
ine’s face paled. Whitney had saved Braxton?
She knew the bid fiasco had something to do with Whitney’s uncle, but she had not anticipated Whitney
secretly aiding Ludwik!
“Make sure to erase any trace of Whitney’s visit to the hospital.” ine could not let him discover that
Whitney had helped him in secret.
ine’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Find out if there are any photos or videos of what Bryce and
Whitney got up to in the hotel.”
If Ludwik found out, Whitney’s fate would be sealed.
But ine was in no hurry. Whitney was already on a path of no return with an uncle like that. ine
would simply bide her time by Ludwik’s side, waiting for the right moment.
At nightfall, Whitney returned to Banyan City from the South City, alone and without a ce to go
except to Tiana’s apartment.
No sooner had she stepped through the door than her body copsed to the floor, her stomach
churning with anxiety.
Fearing another fever might harm the baby, Whitney mustered the strength to take a herbal bath.
However, exhaustion took over, and she fell into a deep slumber.
When Tiana returnedter that night, she found Whitney unconscious in the now icy bathwater, her
phone clutched in her hand, frozen on the news page of United Realty Corporation.
The loss of the tender was significant news in the business world, and Tiana, ever in the know, had
heard about it.
With a sigh, Tiana helped Whitney out of the bath, whispering urgently, “Whitney? Get dressed before
you catch
a cold again.”
Whitney’s eyes fluttered open, her voice hoarse, “What time is it?”
“It’s nearly midnight. Look, I know about the tender–it was your project. Data errors happen; don’t be so
hard on yourself.”
Whitney’s eyes fell, bitter and sorrowful. Tiana did not grasp the entire situation–how could Whitney not
me herself?
“L’s situation was dangerous, but thank goodness Braxton is okay. He’s not giving you a hard time, is
he?” Tiana worried about Whitney’s return to her apartment, fearing her rtionship with L might have
worsened.
Whitney remained silent, unsure of what to say.
Tiana helped her up, softly touching her belly, “The baby’s growing. Just put up with ine, that little
thorn in your side. You’ve got to think about the child who’s about to be born.”
Whitney stiffened. Because of her uncle, there was no turning back.
Unaware, Tiana continued, “You’ve been so out of sortstely, you probably don’t even know
tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve. I have to head back to my home tonight, and you…”
Whitney, forcing a smile, interrupted, “Go be with your parents. I’ll be fine here.”
Tiana hesitated, then asked, “Aren’t you returning to L’s vi? It’s your first New Year together.”
Whitney felt a sharp pang in her heart, biting her lip to hold back tears. She clutched her clothes, eyes
fixed on the ground, “There’s no chance… Tiana.”
Seeing Whitney’s pale face, Tiana’s heart sank, and she said no more.
Was it possible L had not called her? Tiana dared not probe further, fearing it would bring Whitney to
tears.
After staying with Whitney for a little while, Tiana had to leave for the morning prayers.
Whitney remained in the bedroom, sitting in solitude until dawn.
New Year’s Eve hade; with it, snow began to fall, each ke as cold as the loneliness in her heart.
Her absence from the vi was a statement he would surely understand.
The phone rang at the most inopportune moment. Whitney nced at it, stunned to see the vi’s
number.
Her heart trembled, knowing it must be Natalie calling.
With a tight grip, she answered, “Mom…”
Natalie’s voice, tinged with worry, said, “Whitney, it’s such an important day. Why aren’t you here?”
Whitney could not speak, her lips sealed.
3 2 3 ?
Natalie continued, a hint of concern in herughter. “I remember you two were fine when that rascal
was hospitalized. I’ve been recuperating in my ce these days. Have you two had a silly quarrel
again? Come back, dear. It’s our family’s first New Year’s together. We can’t be without you and the
little one.”
Tears fell onto Whitney’s knees, silent yet profound.
Natalie gently coaxed, “There’s no misunderstanding that can’t be resolved. Come home, and we’ll sort
it out. I’ll stand by you.”
“Mom…” Whitney had long since regarded the lovely Natalie as a second mother.
Her heart was a mix of warmth and agony. She could not believe that someone with such a wonderful
mother could have hurt her mother all those years ago.
“He means it too, you know. He might not say it, but Whitney, we’re waiting for you,” Natalie soothed.
Did he mean it? Did he want her toe home?
Whitney’s heartbeats quickened, a mix of unrest and destion.
Maybe today marked an ending.
Was he asking her toe back just to break things off?
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Whitney pondered, feeling hollow. If so, she would rather face him head–on, even as an adversary.
Regardless, Natalie’s health was deteriorating, and Whitney had to y her part to soothe the old
worries.
He probably had the same idea.
Taking a deep breath, Whitneyposed herself, applied a lightyer of makeup to mask her pallid
Standing before the grand estate gates, ayer of soft snow nketed the fence, her breath forming
wisps of white mist in the cold air.
Whitney was momentarily lost in thought as her facial recognition triggered the gates to open
automatically.
With a troubled heart, she stepped inside. The familiar living room seemed to be filled with Ludwik’s
masculine
presence.
Natalie was sitting on the sofa, monitoring her blood pressure. Whitney’s gaze flitted about, seemingly
not noticing him.
“Whitney!” Natalie called out to her softly, naturally smiling as she pointed towards the kitchen. “Good
to have you back, dear. We’re preparing a New Year’s Eve dinner. The house feels empty with only a
few of us. We had a n, you know. Everyone has to make a dish.”
The atmosphere was quiet and harmonious, and Natalie seemed in good spirits.
Whitney forced a smile and rolled up her sleeves to wash her hands, moving into the kitchen in tune
with Natalie’s wishes. “What would you like to eat, Mom? I’ll make it.”
“My appetite is not great,” Natalie said weakly but with a smile. “Just make some of the boy’s favorite
dishes.” Whitney paused for a moment. His favorites? Celery, steamed pork ribs, cucumber and shrimp
sd, and mushroom chicken soup–all without a hint of spice. He preferred them light.
She had not realized she had memorized these little details.
A heaviness seemed to settle in her chest once more. She exhaled slowly and said softly, “Taryn, let’s
start with the mushroom chicken soup.”
“Sure, Sir loves it,” Taryn replied with a smile, beginning to slice the chicken.
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Whitney was cleaning the mushrooms, wondering whether to nch them or add them directly to the
pot, when she was enveloped by a familiar, frosty scent–the unmistakable aroma of the man who had
long since burrowed into her senses, with his imposing presence.
Then, a warmth pressed against her as he spoke from above her head, “You’re not exactly a chef.”