Chapter 195


    After delivering her message, she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and hurried away.


    Taryn saw her safely to the shade of the trees before slipping out of her uniform. Whitney silently made


    her way back to the main house. She ducked into the backroom of Taryn’s quarters, a ce mercifully


    free from prying eyes and surveince.


    In the privacy of the dimly lit room, Whitney pulled out the vial of blood and held it up to the light. She


    pierced it with a silver needle used for testing toxins.


    The needle didn’t change color.


    But Whitney frowned, noting the blood’s unusually dark hue and thick consistency.


    Natalie’s medical reports showed signs of amnesia, pancreatitis, and various minor ailments, but her


    diet was light and her blood fat levels weren’t high.


    The blood shouldn’t be this thick, and it was rare for an elderly woman’s blood to be so dark.


    Her brow furrowed with concern. She was almost certain ine was up to no good; otherwise, Natalie


    wouldn’t be suffering from kidney failure.


    Attacking someone through their blood was the fastest way to induce rapid kidney failure!


    That was the reason she had sent ine away today to get this sample.


    There was definitely something off about this blood, but the silver needle had failed to detect it.


    ine was clever, avoiding detection even by the doctors Ludwik had arranged for Natalie.


    While Whitney was skilled in acupuncture, she was not versed in Western medical diagnostics. This


    sample needed to be sent to a high–end medical testing facility for a thorough examination.


    She pondered who to entrust with this delicate task. Tiana? No, both Nn and Parker were too


    shrewd. If Ludwik discovered she had drawn Natalie’s blood, who knows what misunderstandings


    might arise? Who could she ask for help?


    In the office, Ludwik wrapped up a meeting.


    Felix entered, “Mr. Lippert…”


    Ludwik nced at him and gestured for the secretary to leave. His gaze was deep and serious, “Did


    you find out?”


    Felix nodded, “I’ve confirmed it. On the night of the bid, Madam booked a flight to the South City. She


    stabilized Braxton’s bleeding around two in the morning, and then he went into surgery…”


    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Ludwik massaged his temples, realizing he may have judged her wrongly.


    But…


    “I remember she only arrived at the police station the next morning, soaked to the skin. Where was she


    in between?”


    “I couldn’t find that out. Perhaps Madam stayed at the hospital with Braxton?” Felix spected.


    Ludwik’s frown deepened with a mix of emotions. He then asked, “What about the hospital’s


    surveince that night?”


    Felix frowned, “The cameras malfunctioned that night. The entire building was off the grid until they


    were fixed the next afternoon. It’s strange, too coincidental… I wonder if someone tampered with


    them?”


    Who could it be?


    That night, Orion and Kaden had cornered him in the corridor, with reporters swarming around.


    It could have been anyone.


    Ludwik’s thoughts were darkening when suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Jaxon burst in,


    “Mr. Lippert, I apologize for the intrusion, but ine’s been hospitalized, and it’s quite serious. You


    should go see her!”


    “What?” Ludwik stood abruptly, “Wasn’t she recovering well at the vi?”


    “It’s, it’s rted to Miss Whitney…”


    Ludwik’s expression grew stern.


    At the hospital, Ludwik strode into the emergency ward.


    There, iney on the bed, pale as a ghost, unconscious.


    “ine?” He approached her, concern etched on his face, and demanded from the maid beside the


    bed, “What in the world happened?”


    The maid Lyra had been brought over from Emperor City by ine herself.


    Tearfully, she came forward, indignantly iming, “Mr. Lippert, it was Ms. Valentine’s doing! Today,


    when she returned, she found ine sick and on a drip. She arrogantly scolded her, even mocking her


    with your name. Seeing ine in a wheelchair and vulnerable, she even tried to p her!”


    Ludwik’s expression was icy cold.


    Was this the Whitney he knew?


    Though he felt estranged from her now, Whitney’s demeanor and upbringing didn’t match this


    description.


    Noticing his hesitation, the maid quickly showed him a message on ine’s phone, eximing, “You


    have no idea what Whitney sent ine from your phonest night. Look for yourself!


    Ms. Valentine’s malice runs deep. ine cried all night after seeing this photo. She didn’t dare to be


    angry with you, only suffering in silence. She’s already down one kidney, and the pain nearly did her in


    Ludwik saw the photo of him and Whitney in apromising position on the bed, his face turned


    stone–cold. A flicker of difort crossed his eyes as he scanned the sender ID- it was from his


    own ount.


    His pupils darkened with rage.


    This shameless woman, she dared to capture their intimate moments!


    The room fell silent as a grave.


    Seizing the moment, ine slowly opened her eyes, letting out a pained moan.


    Tears fell weakly as she whispered, “Ludwik…”


    “I’m here!” Ludwik gripped her hand, his brow furrowed, “How are you feeling? Are you alright?”


    “I’m in a bit of pain.” Though her words were mild, her expression was one of severe agony.


    Ludwik’s gaze softened with a tinge of guilt, but he remained silent.


    ine turned to reproach the maid feebly, “I told you not to tell Mr. Lippert about the photo…”


    “But miss, you’ve endured so much. Why stay silent? Whitney’s photo upset you, that’s why you’re


    sick. With only one kidney and her constant bullying, how will you survive?”


    Lyra’s impassioned defense deepened Ludwik’s sense of guilt as ine looked at him with a feeble


    and pitiable gaze.


    His voice was hoarse, yet his eyes were cold, “ine, she and I are not divorced yet.”


    ine’s heart clenched with hatred; Ludwik’s words implied he still harbored feelings for Whitney’s


    body.


    She swallowed the sting and yed the part of the wronged party, crying, “Ludwik, I don’t me you.


    I’m just so heartbroken. You’re free to… but I foolishly thought you had feelings for me. You promised


    to get engaged with me. Can’t you just stop entangling with her?”


    Her plea for pity made Ludwik speechless.


    ine’s sobs tore through the silence, her voice shaking with a blend of sorrow and disbelief. “I


    could’ve lived with being kept in the dark, but why, oh why did Whitney have to y her games? She


    knew full well I just went through a kidney donation and couldn’t handle the stress. Yet, she deliberately


    sent me those photos of you two. It’s more than I can bear, Ludwik. Doesn’t she have a


    heart?”


    As her tears flowed, ine’s voice grew more impassioned, and she began to gasp for air, beads of


    cold sweat dotting her forehead. “Ludwik, Ludwik…”


    “ine! Please, try to calm down,” Ludwik pleaded, the sight of her distress tearing at his heartstrings.


    Fearing for her well–being, he immediately called for a doctor.


    He tried to reassure her, “I know you’ve been wronged. Tell me what you need, okay?”


    “I don’t dare ask for much,” ine said through her tears, “I just want her to apologize for the photo


    incident. That’s all.”


    Ludwik clenched his fists, realizing for the first time the depth of Whitney’s cunning. Last night was


    supposed to be a straightforward deal, yet she had the gall to unt it to ine?


    A chill ran through his breath as hemanded with a sweep of his hand, “Felix, bring her here. I want


    a full exnation!”