Chapter 222


    Whitney fought to hide her flushed cheeks, wanting to suggest another store, but ire had already


    strutted in with the butler in tow.


    Left with no choice, Whitney let the man lead her to greet the formidable matriarch.


    In the opulent changing room, Lyra peeked out and said to ine, “Bryce’s mom has arrived, Miss.


    This is the perfect chance to knock Whitney down a peg. Don’t you want to y some tricks on her?”


    The prospect of undermining that wench was tantalizing to ine. A little scheming and Ludwik would


    undoubtedly take her side, striking right at Whitney’s heart.


    But with a cunning glint in her eye, ine chuckled and said, “Use your head. I’ll spare her today.


    Nothing’s more important than my engagement to Ludwik. Once I’m the future Mrs. Lippert, dealing


    with her and that little mistake will be child’s y.”


    Lyra caught on. “Miss, you’re always one step ahead. No wonder you’ve got the boss wrapped around


    your finger.”


    ine smirked, her lips curling as she undressed to try on her gown.


    In the lounge.


    Bryce leaned in close to Whitney and whispered, “Don’t be nervous. I’ve squashed those nasty rumors


    about you. Mom doesn’t follow the tabloids, and if she asks you anything you don’t want to answer, just


    don’t.”


    Whitney nodded.


    With a fond pat on her head, he introduced, “Mom, this is Whitney Valentine. You insisted on meeting


    her, and here she is.”


    ire, oozing grandeur, took a seat, her gaze immediately locking onto Whitney’s belly.


    Whitney nervously greeted, “ire.”


    “Sit down! Don’t stand. You’ll tire the baby,” ire said with a strange tone, casting a resentful nce


    at her son. “Whitney Valentine, right? The girl who designs my jewelry. I quite liked you, although the


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Valentine family is a minor name, and I’ve heard you’ve had some…plications.”


    “Mom, you’re prying too much,” Bryce coughed.


    ire huffed. “Fine! He won’t let me dig into your past. He’s so protective of you. It’s all so improper, a


    child on the way, and only now we’re told, and all this scandalous footage.


    But since this child is a Lutz, and your family isn’t exactly well–off, I ept it. Get engaged to Bryce


    quickly. It’s hasty but a double blessing, and it settles one of my worries.”


    Whitney was stunned, looking at Bryce. At this moment, she finally understood what method Bryce was


    referring to.


    She scowled in disbelief, about to object, but Bryce’s hand pressed down on hers.


    He whispered urgently, “It’s the only way to make my parents happy. Don’t ruin this, Whitney. After the


    engagement party, I’ll clear things up with them. Right now, I need to get through this rough patch!”


    If it were not for her billion–dor loan, the Lutz Group shareholders would not be displeased with him,


    and the Lutz family would not be seeking a new leader.


    She could not afford to fail at such a critical moment.


    Whitney bit back her frustration, but ire’s kind gaze on her belly made her skin crawl.


    “Have you chosen a dress? Don’t go for high heels for the sake of beauty. The babyes first.” ire


    grinned, taking Whitney’s hand in hers.


    Dazed, Whitney managed a strained smile in response.


    “The girl is lovely. Bryce, you should have a few more with her,” ire said approvingly, her voice


    carrying through the store.


    The staff nced over, and Whitney felt the chilling re burning into her.


    Facing ire’s smile, Whitney’s expression stiffened.


    Bryce drew her closer, clearing his throat. “Don’t mind her, Whitney. She’s getting senile.”


    “Perhaps ire really is losing it!” A cold male voice rang out,ced with mockery.


    Whitney turned sharply, her breath catching at the sight of Ludwik. Her face tensed with anxiety.


    Bryce’s eyebrows rose as he stood, instinctively pulling her behind him.


    His protective stance only darkened Ludwik’s scowl. “If you’re not senile, how did you miss the red


    gs when choosing your son’s partner, someone desperate to secure a safety?”


    Whitney’s hands clenched tight, her face draining of color.


    “Who are you, young man, and what do you mean by that?” ire frowned at the strikingly handsome


    intruder.


    “Mr. Lippert, show some ss. My mother is elderly; you could at least spare her your harsh words,”


    Bryce confronted him.


    Ludwik’s lips twisted in scorn. “I’m not the viin here. A person’s character and manners aren’t just for


    show; they’re etched in their very bones.”


    With that loaded remark, he downed his wine and strode past, barely sparing Whitney a nce.


    “Such disrespect towards my son, what do you take me for?” ire was fiercely protective.


    ine, on Ludwik’s arm, turned back with a smile. “ire, Ludwik has been more than respectful. But


    between us, she’s what you’d call ‘secondhand good,‘ you understand?”


    She shot Whitney a mocking look, smirking.


    Ludwik frowned slightly. Given how quickly this woman had switched loyalties from his mother to the


    ‘new Natalie,‘ he found the irony too pungent to intervene.


    His tacit approval left Whitney feeling colder than ever.


    ire knitted her brows, turning to Whitney for an exnation. “What ‘secondhand good“? Exin


    yourself.”


    “Mom, why bother with irrelevant people? In my eyes, Whitney is the best there is. Mr. Lippert has a


    business grudge against me and is just trying to provoke me. Are you taking him seriously?”


    ire trusted her son implicitly and had refrained from looking into Whitney’s past to avoid upsetting


    him.


    This time, both she and her husband could see Bryce meant business.


    She stood up irritably. “Business grudges should be kept out of personal matters. Don’t shop in the


    same ce as him. Banyan City has plenty of haute couture stores, and the Lutz family can


    afford it.”


    “Yes, you’re right. It’s time for your beauty treatment. It’s already three o’clock,” Bryce urged.


    “You cheeky boy, afraid I’ll devour her? Fine, let’s go. You’re walking me out.”


    Bryce shot Whitney a nce, and she responded with a subtle nod of approval. “I’ll just pop to the


    restroom,” she said.


    As the mother and son departed, Whitney finally felt like she could breathe again. Dealing with the


    social niceties had left herpletely drained, especially after Ludwik’s snide remarks had almost


    blown her cover.


    Massaging her temples, she made her way to thedies‘ room.


    Tucked away in a cozy corner of the restaurant, the restroom was both elegant and secluded. Whitney


    washed her hands over and over, the hot water turning her fingertips a rosy red until she mustered


    enough energy to head back out.


    But upon exiting, her gaze froze as she spotted the approaching figure. The flush of warmth in her


    fingertips faded instantly.


    Ludwik leaned against the wall, tall and imposing. The dim lighting failed to prate the icy depths of


    his eyes, casting his features into a blend of light and shadow, making him appear both brooding and


    dangerously alluring. Instinctively, Whitney took a couple of steps back.


    However, he moved toward her, the smoke from his cigarette shrouding his piercing eyes in a haze. His


    gaze, initially obscure, turned icy. “You can’t get engaged to Bryce! I don’t care if you’ve met his parents


    or whatever. You have to call it off. Do you hear me?”


    “Why should he dictate terms? Is it a case of ‘do as I say, not as I do‘?” Whitney thought as she looked


    back at him with a mix of ridicule and bitter amusement.