Chapter 194
I indeed saw Miss Whitney! But I’m not certain if she ever stepped inside? That morning, Miss. Whitney
even picked up some cookies she wanted you to try, saying it was you who told her you had a
hankering for Natalie’s cookies.”
Ludwik’s gaze narrowed. Cookies were something his mother used to make, something unknown even
to ine. How could she know about them?
Could it be that she really visited the hospital room that night?
He remembered sleeping soundly in ine’s arms, and when he woke up the next day, ine imed
to have cured him.
Yet Whitney scoffed and suggested he ask ine why he couldn’t fall asleep afterward.
Ludwik said, “Also, check the hospital’s surveince footage from outside the room that night.”
After a full meal, Whitney returned to Everwood Vi Estate.
As soon as she opened the door, she heard a servant’s voice whisper, “She’s back.”
“Is she back?” ine immediately wheeled herself over, an IV drip in tow, her eyes brimming with tears,
a picture of aggrieved frailty, “Ludwik…”
When Whitney stepped in and saw her tear–streaked face, she couldn’t help butugh.
“Waiting for someone, ine?”
ine stiffened at the sight of Whitney. Then, peering behind her and seeing no sign of Ludwik,
disappointment shed across her face – he hadn’t returned! Anger surged within her, “What are you
doing back here? Where’s Ludwik!”
Whitney shrugged off her scarf, disinterested in engaging with her.
ine caught a glimpse of a scandalous mark on Whitney’s neck, her nails digging into her palm with
vexation, blocking Whitney’s path and rising to her feet to p her, “You bitch, feeling proud, are you?
unting that mark for me to see!”
Whitney nced at her neck nonchntly, whatever her true feelings were, she grabbed ine’s arm.
Her face twisted into a sneer, “Yes, I am proud. Your scheme at the conference backfired, pushing
Ludwik right into my arms.”
“What does it mean to weave your own trap? Have you experienced it yet?”
“How are you feeling, ine? I’vee on Ludwik’s behalf to check on you. Aren’t you in such a state
you need an IV drip?”
Enraged, ine’s chest heaved, She almost spat blood at Whitney’s calm demeanor.
Forcing herself to remainposed, she swallowed the nasty feelings that surged at the sight of that
photograph.
ine let out a hollowugh, looking Whitney up and down with a hint of pity, “I don’t know what you’re
so smug about, Whitney. Do you know what you look like? A fallen woman ying the mistress. He
sought you out for relief, that’s all. Men have their flings. Do you think I can’t handle a little sand in my
shoes? Ludwik and I are getting engaged soon. He will belong to me for the rest of
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his life! I will be the blissful Mrs. Lippert.”
Whitney clenched her fist subtly, the mention of engagement a thorn in her side.
ine’s words felt eerily familiar; not long ago, she too had imed Ludwik’s lifetime was hers.
But how the tables had turned.
Seeing Whitney fall silent, ine felt a slight release of her pent–up frustration, raising her eyebrows,
“Lyra, the other maid is back. Put her to work on whatever needs doing!”
Whitney snapped out of her reverie, realizing Taryn was no longer here.
Instead, a new, unfamiliar girl was present.
Her brows furrowed, “ine, what have you done with Taryn?”
“She’s a confidant of Natalie, isn’t she? I told Ludwik it would be perfect for her to look after her. Ludwik
agreed without hesitation.” ine’s tone was that of thedy of the house, looking down on Whitney as
if she were a servant.
Whitney understood. ine had reced Taryn to take control of the vi.
Taryn had helped her that morning, and ine held a grudge.
With Ludwik absent during the day and Taryn gone, it would be easier for ine to y dirty.
She pondered this quietly but realized it might not be entirely bad. After some thought, Whitney
suddenly said to her, “Ludwik promised toe see you today. Why didn’t he keep his word? Does
that mean your IV drip is for show, and all your pretense is for naught?”
ine wanted to tear her apart at her insinuating tone. She snapped back sarcastically, “There’s a
heap of trash in the kitchen. Get to it! And wash the dishes from my breakfast and lunch!”
Nonchntly rolling up her sleeves, Whitney went about her chores.
ine watched her with a piercing gaze. This matter with the photo was far from over.
Malice flickered in her eyes. If Ludwik didn’t return, she would go to him herself. A man’s guilt had an
expiration date, after all.
She’d show Whitney how she would beat her.
As expected, ine left the house, Whitney had deliberately provoked her to do so.
Watching the car pull away from the gate, she stealthily sent a text to Taryn.
After disposing of the trash, she quietly moved to the back of the separate building.
Taryn rushed out, her face twisted with conflict, “I’m sorry, Madam. Mr. Lippert has this ce locked
down tight, with more bodyguards and cameras than ever. Plus, he’s explicitly forbidden you from
visiting Natalie!”
Whitney pulled out the ultrasound report from her pocket, pleading, “Taryn, the baby’s six and a half
months along. I went for an ultrasound today. You know how much Natalie loves this grandchild. I want
to show her the baby. Ever since her ident, I haven’t been able to get close. I need to check on her
condition!”
“It’s impossible…”
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“Taryn, please. ine deliberately reassigned you. You must have made up your mind about ine’s
true color by now,”
“I trust you wouldn’t harm Natalie, but Mr. Lippert doesn’t… Oh dear.” Taryn saw the sincerity in
Whitney’s eyes, her longing for Natalie. Unable to bear it, she confided, “There’s surveince
everywhere in the ward, but they turn it off when it’s time to bathe Natalie,”
Whitney, crouching low, hid behind the railing, “I’ll wait here for you.”
Taryn nodded, “I’ll get you a nurse’s uniform.”
Whitney quickly called Tiana, giving her the IP address, asking her to hack the cameras for that time
frame and make some adjustments.
Once the family doctor had left and it was bath time, Taryn brought out the uniform,
Whitney changed into it and, led by Taryn, snuck into the building through the back door.
Natalie’s room had been moved to the ground floor. It was spacious and constantly
temperature–controlled, filled with all sorts of Western medical equipment, while monitors kept a
vignt watch over her.
The elderly womany there in silence, her frame much thinner, her breath barely audible.
Taryn sighed with sorrow, “Ma’am, to be honest, Mr. Lippert values Natalie’s life even more than his
own. Nearly every night he visitste into the hour. The doctors have said Natalie is a third brain–dead;
her organs are slowly failing as she remains in this vegetative state, and she may pass within three
years. Do you still have any doubts?”
Whitney didn’t go into detail, “I practice acupuncture, so I wanted to check on Natalie.”
As she spoke, she ced her hand on Natalie’s wrist to feel the pulse.
The pulse was faint; Natalie was indeed living yet not.
Taryn and Xandra began to gently wipe down the elderly woman’s body. Whitney helped out, and as
they turned Natalie to wipe her other side, she quickly pricked Natalie’s finger with a needle and
squeezed out a few drops of blood, catching them in a tiny vial.
After collecting five or six drops, Whitney wiped Natalie’s finger with a cotton ball.
After making sure no one would notice, She slipped the vial into her pocket unnoticed.
After staying for about ten minutes, Taryn urged her, “The doctor will be here soon to administer the IV
nutrients. Madam, you should probably head out now.”
Whitney bowed her head, cing an ultrasound beside Natalie, her eyes glistening with unshed tears,
“Natalie, this is your little bundle of joy. See? He’s a bit on the lean side, but he’s healthy. I’m going to
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work hard to bring him into this world and show him to you. Regardless of whether Ludwik wants him or
not, he’s mine.”
Taryn choked up at the sentiment. Bending down, Whitney whispered, “If anyone has harmed you, I
swear I’ll uncover the truth. I won’t let you just lie here waiting for death!”