Chapter 181
Rain pelted against the open window of the study, extinguishing the dying ember of the cigarette
between. Ludwik’s slender fingers.
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With a silent curse, he flicked the extinguished butt away, his gaze smoldering with an unspoken fury,
as cold and inert as the depths of a stillke.
His eyes were fixed on the defiant figure below, battling the downpour, struggling to remain upright
despite the odds against her.
No gazebo stood beside the ornate front door, no shelter from the storm in sight.
What was she ying at? Some sort of sympathy ploy to soften his heart?
Ludwik stared at her bump, his eyes hardening. The thought that it was all a calcted move, even the
child, made his gaze grow colder.
In the next moment, he yanked the curtains shut and sank into his armchair, surrounded by a
graveyard of spent cigarettes.
ine’s mood was as dark as the clouds above. There Whitney stood in the deluge, stubbornly
refusing to leave, ying the damsel in distress.
Ludwik was up, for sure. He was in his study, probably even watching her.
The longer Whitney held out, the weaker she’d be, and maybe, just maybe, he’d soften up.
ine prided herself on her cunning. Tonight, when Whitney imed their divorce was a sham, if
Ludwik had truly cut ties, he would have forced her to sign the papers.
She was powerless to resist, but Ludwik hadn’t.
Whitney wouldn’t leave, and he hadn’t driven her away. Maybe he was testing whether her feelings we
genuine. This was dangerous; Ludwik couldn’t be allowed to go soft.
Touching the welts on her face, a re of anger passed through ine. She dialed with a smirk, “Jaxon,
send some guys in an hour to nab Whitney, and make sure you find her needle kit and bring it to me.”
With that medicine in hand, she could cure Ludwik without Whitney’s threats hanging over them. As for
Whitney, alone at night in the outskirts, anything could happen.
Ludwik would have to sleep eventually.
ine nned to make her move around three or four in the morning.
ü
But then that meddling old maid had to interfere!
At two in the morning. Taryn peered out the window repeatedly, unable to harden her heartpletely.
Convinced the master would nevere down, she worried he’d never forgive the young mistress.
Seeing the young mistress near fainting, belly swollen and drenched, the baby could be in danger!
That child was Natalie’s beloved grandchild, and Taryn felt an aching fondness for the unborn life.
Dressed hastily, she sneaked out with an umbre and fresh clothes, “Ms. Valentine, put these on and
take the umbre, leave quickly. You can’t afford to be stubborn with the master!”
“I won’t leave; if I do, I’m abandoning him, and he’ll be angrier.
“Can’t you see, he won’t forgive you? He’s furious, and standing here won’t help.”
“I won’t go, Taryn, please let me in, or I’ll stay out in the rain until dawn…”
“You’re so headstrong! He doesn’t want you, just wait a bit… Ah, fine, I’ll help you inside, but you can
only stay until daybreak.”
With no choice left, Taryn, shivering and feverish, knew they couldn’t go on like this or it would be a
loss of life
She snuck Whitney into her own room in the vi.
The servant’s room was modest, with a single bed on the ground floor’s backyard. Taryn had Whitney
lie on the heated floor as she tiptoed to the bathroom to draw hot water.
In the pitch–ck, Taryn missed ine’s bedroom door ajar upstairs, eyes gleaming with a cold light.
Whitney, stiff with cold, felt a prickling pain as warmth finally enveloped her.
Only after Taryn had helped her into dry clothes and piled several nkets over her did she start to
regain some strength.
Taryn watched her, voice chilly, “Check on the baby’s movement; make sure there’s nothing wrong.”
“Thank you, Taryn. It was very active just now, probably asleep.”
“Why put yourself through this? You wronged the master, and Natalie is in aa. Just divorce him
and be done with it!”
Taryn advised, seeing it as a release for both of them.
Taryn, what if I told you I didn’t hurt Natalie, would you believe me?”
Taryn’s face grew cold. “But your uncle kidnapped Natalie, and I saw him push me out of the car.”
Whitney managed a bitter smile, “It’s true he kidnapped Natalie, but it’s also true I didn’t hurt her. There
are too many misunderstandings between us.”
She held Taryn’s hand, “Has he ced Natalie in the detached house? Please let me see her, I need to
know how she is.”
“Impossible!” Taryn withdrew her hand, skepticism in her gaze, “The master has ordered that you’re not
allowed near Natalie’s room. Don’t make it hard for me!”
“He guards against me, yet he doesn’t realize the real person he should be wary of is ine, Whitney
said with a bitter smile.
How could she leave Natalie under the same roof as ine?
“What do you mean by that?” Taryn asked, puzzled.
“Taryn, please, tell Xandra to watch out for ine in the detached house. Natalie’s condition is rted
to her.”
“But ine donated a kidney to Natalie. You can’t just make usations!”
Whitney fell silent, realizing no one believed her, “Taryn, I will find the truth. Don’t say anything, just
protect Natalie.”
Her concern left Taryn conflicted, “Go to sleep. Leave at dawn, and don’t get me in trouble with the
young mistress!”
With a heavy heart, Whitneyy back down.
After a sleepless night and before dawn broke, Whitney rose unsteadily and whispered an apology to
the still sleeping Taryn before slipping out of the backyard. Five months of living with Ludwik, she knew
his routine well. He usually got up at five for his workout.
Quietly, Whitney entered the kitchen and rolled up her sleeves to prepare breakfast.
As seven o’clock approached, ine woke up.
Heading towards the staircase, she caught sight of Whitney in the kitchen!
ine’s fingers clenched. Was she clinging on, ying the caring wife?
Her gaze darkening, ine tumed back towards the second floor gym Ludwik returned from his and th
handed him a towel, her voice soft. Tve drawn your bath, Ludwik
“There’s no need to trouble yourself with such things.” Ludwik replied, his brow furrowing involu
ine’s face fell into an expression of hurt
He slowed his tone, gently grasping her wrist, “Why are your hands so cold? Did you not sleep wellst
nights Was the nurse not attentive enough?
A nurse had been arranged for her room, so naturally Ludwik wouldn’t stay overnight in the master
bedmom ine replied meekly. “I’m just not used to the bed, maybe it’s the decor that I don’t like
“Let’s change it “
With those three sinct words, ine looked at him, her eyes lighting up with surprise. Just like that,
any trace of Whitney would bepletely erased.
“Ludwik, I don’t need a nurse to stay with me at night. I’m not that frail”
“Let’s just follow the doctor’s orders, shall we? I’m going to take a shower, you go on downstairs
ine watched as the tall, impressive man headed toward the bathroom, peeling off his t–shirt,
revealing back tout with muscle and a trim waist.
Her gaze shuddered intensely, her cheeks flushing with a touch of embarrassment – Ludwik was an
irresistibly charming man!
After his shower, Ludwik found her still there, standing in the wardrobe, her hands holding his clothes.
Seeing his furrowed brow
ine’s expression turned even more aggrieved as she whispered, “I just want to take care of you,
Ludwik Can you indulge me this small wish, please?”