Chapter 179


    “It’s no trouble at all, taking care of you is my duty.” Ludwik was a man of few words. ine gave him a


    soft smile, her heart swelling with happiness. “Thank you, Ludwik!” He opened the car door and helped


    her in like a true gentleman.


    Under the cloak of night, the Bentley glided smoothly towards their suburban mansion.


    Throughout the ride, Ludwik was silent, his presence aloof and weary, yet undeniably charismatic.


    ine stole a nce at the taut muscles beneath his crisp shirt, her eyes alight with fervor and triumph.


    Clenching her fists, she thought to herself, “Whitney, you’ve been utterly vanquished. This man now


    me!”


    Just as she was basking in her smug thoughts, the Bentley came to a halt outside the vi.


    The darkness of the night was pierced by the pale glow of streetlights, illuminating the ornate, wrought–


    iron gates.


    As Ludwik assisted ine out of the car, her peripheral vision caught sight of a figure standing beneath


    the gates–it was Whitney!


    She was bundled up in a thick parka, a visible bump in her midsection, with a small suitcase at her feet.


    ine’s eyes narrowed with venom as she red at Whitney.


    She appeared stiff from standing too long, her head bowed and body shivering from the cold.


    ine quickly snuggled closer into Ludwik’s embrace.


    Feeling her move, Ludwik looked down with a frown. “Are you cold?”


    “I’m freezing, Ludwik,” ine said with a feigned frailty, shivering for effect.


    Ludwik removed his coat and draped it over her with careful attention, then took her by the wrist. “We


    forgot your wheelchair; take it slow.”


    “Thank you, Ludwik.” ine’s voice was tender and sweet.


    Her sharine tone, filled with joy, caught Whitney’s attention, causing her to look up.


    She saw the approaching pair, almost entwined in each other’s arms.


    Ludwik was holding ine’s hand, their posture intimate and caring.


    ine caught Whitney’s shattered gaze and, with malicious delight, asked, “Ludwik, were you serious


    about what you told my parents? That we’re getting engaged?”


    Whitney overheard..


    Ludwik was engaged to ine? A crushing force seemed to weigh down on Whitney, her gaze


    transfixed on the man she once knew.


    How would he respond? His answer was curt, a harsh edge in his voice. “Yes.”


    A hollow smile cracked Whitney’s lips. So his urgency to divorce her was to promptly engage with


    inel


    It was like the bitterest of tonics, the cruelest of poisons, forced into her mouth.


    The venom robbed her of breath, the pain unbearable.


    Yet she had to endure. Back at the Ether Cafe, when she had tampered with the divorce papers, she


    had made a decision.


    “Ludwik!” Whitney called out.


    18:24 1


    Only now, across the distance, did Ludwik notice her.


    Her frail silhouette stood in the biting wind, almost merging with the nearby shadows.


    Ludwik paused for a split second, his eyes brooding as he regarded her.


    He also noted the suitcase by her feet, “What are you doing here?”


    “This is my home. I’m moving back in, Whitney stated with forcedposure.


    He raised an eyebrow, a cold smirk on his lips. “Newdy of the house have moved in.”


    Whitney’s heart sank.


    Was he referring to new upants in the house, or had someone new moved into his heart?


    ine, sensing an opportunity, clung tighter to Ludwik’s arm, her gaze defiantly fixed on Whitney.


    Losing patience, Ludwik turned to open the door. “We’re divorced. Forget about any inheritance, and


    your belongings will be thrown out.”


    *Sorry to disappoint, but we’re not divorced. I only signed “Valentine, which invalidates the paper,”


    Whitney stated firmly.


    Ludwik spun around, his eyes narrowing.


    ine’s gaze darkened as she feigned concern, “Ms. Valentine, why are you ying games with


    Ludwik?”


    Whitney ignored her.


    She met Ludwik’s icy stare without fear. “Check the papers if you don’t believe me.”


    He did, his expression unreadable, his brow clouded with loathing as he confirmed the single scrawled


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


    Valentine‘ on the document.


    “What’s your


    “What’s your angle now?” he demanded.


    “You got everything–Imperial Gem Corporation, the billions, my bankruptcy, my mother’s condition. Isn’t


    that enough?”


    His mocking sneer was like a de, repeatedly piercing Whitney’s heart. She endured numbly, letting


    him scorn her.


    If only it brought him sce.


    Her sole focus was Natalie’sst wish, which she vowed to fulfill, no matter what.


    “Ludwik, let me live here. You still suffer from your condition, and I want to take care of you until you


    recover.


    I Then I’ll consider signing the divorce papers. Besides, with ine moving in, I’m even more worried


    about Natalie.”


    “You have no right to speak of her! Your presence here is the biggest threat to her! Don’t you dare


    Ludwik’s fury was palpable, his tone icy. “Leave now. Security!”


    Whitney knew Natalie was his Achilles‘ heel.


    “I promised her I’d look after you, and I will. I’m not leaving.”


    Ludwik clenched his jaw. When had she made such promises? Or was this yet another y?


    He had suffered through a night of agony, and she hadn’t once visited him. The dreams, the touch of a


    child–all lies.


    It was ine who had saved him. Now, was Whitney ying the caring wife again?


    Sensing Ludwik’s hesitation, ine quickly chimed in, her voice dripping with hidden sarcasm. “Ludwik,


    !


    understand why Ms. Valentine doesn’t want a divorce. She probably hopes you’ll spare her uncle, her


    cousin, and lift the economic sanctions on Skye Gem Ltd. That’s why she’s offering to care for you, but


    it seems rather hypocritical, doesn’t it?”


    The words hit Ludwik like a ssh of cold water, freezing any warmth that may have stirred in his heart,


    Indeed, her refusal to divorce was nothing but a ploy.


    Disgusted by her hypocrisy, he was fool for having any hope left for this woman.


    Ludwik’s self–loathing was reaching a boiling point, his voiceced with a sneer, “You won’t get what


    you want, not a single thing. You think we’re not getting a divorce?”


    Whitney couldn’t even begin to tear down the nderous words ine had crafted against her. She


    shook her head with determination, “I have no ulterior motives, Ludwik. I just want to take care of you.


    Consider it my penance, or whatever you will. Let’s talk about all this once you’re better. If you still want


    to split then, I’ll agree. But now, please don’t push me away!”


    Ludwik stared at the stubborn woman before him, took a deep, icy breath, and picked up the phone.


    His call to Felix was filled with venom, “Intensify the financial sanctions on Skye Gem Ltd. Drive it to


    bankruptcy as fast as you can!”


    Whitney’s step faltered.


    His towering silhouette enveloped her, hisugh cold, “No ulterior motives, huh?”


    He was testing her, pressing her, still capable of manipting Skye Gem Ltd. despite his fall from


    grace. Whitney had to stand her ground. Begging for mercy now would only confirm her impure


    intentions, proving she wasn’t sincere about him


    Bitterness filled her heart, unspeakable as she stared at his icy facade, “May Ie in now?”


    “I have no need for your care. Get out of my sight! Security, lock her out.”


    Ludwik didn’t look back as he strode into the vi, his long legs moving with chilling indifference that


    sent a shiver down one’s spine