Chapter 256


    Ludwik’s face was etched with a frosty scowl as he watched the scene unfold before him. There was no


    doubt in his mind that the bewitching woman at Orion’s side was indeed her.


    To think she had the audacity to sneak into the auction with Orion and Bryce…


    When did she be so shameless, so brazen?


    His irritation grew at the thought, but he was determined not to let them have thestugh.


    “Forty billion dors!” Ludwik dered, his voice resounding like a gaveling down.


    The room filled with gasps, and just when everyone was resigning themselves to the staggering sum as


    the final bid, a sultry voiceced with a raspyugh echoed from the back of the hall, “Mr. Lippert, I’ll


    bid 50 billion. Don’tpete with me, okay?”


    Ludwik’s head snapped around.


    Across the room, through the temporal divide, the way she said ‘Mr. Lippert‘ short–circuited his nerves


    in the most inconvenient manner.


    In the business world, countless people had called him Mr. Lippert.


    Plenty of flirtatious women had called him ‘Mr. Lippert‘ seductively.


    But none had ever sent a jolt through his spine and electrified his entire being like she just did.


    Damn that. woman.


    Ludwik’s muscles tensed as he emerged from his daze, just in time to hear the auctioneer concluding


    the three calls and mming the gavel down. “Fifty billion dors! Skye Gem Ltd. goes to thisdy.


    Miss, may we have your name? And your method of payment?”


    “Whitney Valentine,” the woman stepped out from her seat.


    Her chic velvet gown trailed to her ankles, with a daring slit up the front, seemingly torn in haste,


    revealing her porcin–smooth legs.


    With each step, the sway of her figure was enchanting, drawing the eyes of every man in the


    room.


    She slowly approached the podium, and as the lights illuminated her stunning features, the crowd


    caught their breath.


    Removing her veil, she revealed her full visage, smiling flirtatiously at the auctioneer, “My name’s


    Whitney Valentine. And the payment will be taken care of by Mr. Orion Lippert and Mr. Bryce Lutz.


    Thank you!”


    The room fell silent, then erupted in murmurs.


    “Whitney, that’s Whitney? The former CEO of Skye Gem Ltd.?”


    16.08


    “I thought she was dead. How did shee back? She’s Mr. Lippert’s ex–wife!”


    “Two men are buying back thepany for her! Mr. Lippert was vying for his current me’s smile, and


    he lost. But how does he feel about his ex–wife’s dramatic return?”


    Whispers and spections filled the air as everyone’s gaze fell upon the man of the hour.


    Ludwik’s gaze was deep and detached as he stared at the woman on stage.


    It was the same face, breathtakingly beautiful, but he no longer knew her.


    She was like an exquisite, venomous swan.


    His fingers tightened, and his eyes narrowed with a predatory gleam, revealing nothing of his inner


    thoughts.


    As Bryce and Orion joined Whitney on the podium, the crowd watched in disbelief. They were two of


    Banyan City’s most eligible bachelors, now signing a check in public for Whitney.


    She instantly became the center of attention.


    ine nearly bit her lip in frustration. This wench had returned and immediately stole her spotlight.


    Especially the dark look on Ludwik’s face, the attention he was giving that woman!


    In a panic, she tugged at Ludwik’s hand, her voice quivering. “Ludwik, you promised Skye Gem


    Ltd. would be mine…


    Ms. Valentine seems unapologetic about hitting me. Is she making such a public spectacle to target


    you, to embarrass you in front of everyone?”


    Her insinuations snapped Ludwik back to reality, his demeanor turning icy.


    At this moment, the auctioneer was about to hand over the contract. Whitney, nked by two men,


    shed Bryce a sweet smile.


    A wave of displeasure surged through Ludwik. He stood up, his voice dark and formidable.


    “Hold on!”


    At Ludwik’s interjection, the auctioneer’s hand trembled, awaiting the approach of the stately


    man.


    Whitney’s gaze steadied, indifferent to his presence.


    “Which auction house are you from? I’m iming Skye Gem Ltd. for my fiancée!


    Three years ago, this woman voluntarily relinquished her rights to Skye Gem Ltd. due to


    mismanagement. She has no right to reim it now. Inform your superiors.”


    His words were terse, his authority oppressive.


    Mr. Lippert had long been a legend in Banyan City, his ruthless tactics feared by many.


    The auctioneer bowed his head. “Mr. Lippert, please discuss this further with our


    16:08


    management.”


    “I’ve paid fair and square, Mr. Lippert. What, you can simply take what you want by force?” Whitney’s


    voice was mocking, her gaze challenging.


    Ludwik finally turned his piercing eyes upon her charming, smiling face.


    Disgust flickered across his features, indifferent to her provocations. “Ms. Valentine, you assaulted my


    fiancée in the restroom. Now, apologize to her!”


    Whitney’s nce swept over ine, who stood smugly nearby.


    She took a step towards Ludwik, “Ms. Valentine? Mr. Lippert, we were married. Isn’t it a bit cold to be


    so formal? Did you witness the alleged assault? Any evidence?”


    Her bright eyes and pearly teeth were disarming as she drew near, her fragrance teasing his


    senses.


    Ludwik’s breath hitched, not expecting her to bring up their past in public. She had changed and


    be reckless, shameless.


    And yet, her brazenness was as infuriating as it was bewitching.


    “Ms. Valentine, do you think you can get away with hitting me just because there are no cameras in the


    restroom?


    ine approached, her voice soft and vulnerable yetden with implications.


    The crowd nced at ine’s bruised face, then recalled the scandalous video of Whitney and Bryce


    from three years ago.


    Now, with Bryce and Orion by her side, the past seemed to be repeating itself…


    Her every word wasced with concern, ying the part of the doting fiancée to perfection.


    The crowd’s gaze shifted to ine, filled with sympathy.


    And then, when they looked at Whitney, their earlier admiration was reced with contempt.


    “ine’s right; I had almost forgotten. She’s been notorious for years, a man–eater, and now she


    seems to havetched onto Orion.”


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    “Bryce is just another fish she’s reeled in, huh? A regr femme fatale. I wonder how Bryce


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    stomachs it.”


    “Ha! Now I get why two men are bankrolling her–clearly, she’s been working that body hard to please


    them! ying house with two husbands.”


    These words made Ludwik frown, his gaze dark and stormy.


    ine suppressed her smile, feigning concern. “Ludwik, did I misspeak? Seeing her cozying up to


    Orion made me so angry on your behalf. Your dignity means a lot to me.”


    Her words seemed foolish but endearing to the men listening.


    Bryce could not stand by and watch.


    However, Orion, ever the instigator, held him back with a smirk.


    Whitney had remained silent, biding her time, perhaps. She was waiting for ine to finish rattling like


    a machine gun and for the attacks on herself to pause.


    Indeed, Whitney had been cornered, the crowd ready to push her head down in apology to ‘sweet‘


    ine.


    But Whitney just smirked, pulling out an object and locking eyes with Ludwik. “Who owes whom an


    apology? Well, that remains to be seen, doesn’t it?”