Ludwik arched an eyebrow and turned to the servant, "Didn't you hear the lady? Go upstairs and bring down all the maxi dresses for her to choose from."
Whitney was speechless. "That's not necessary, just grab any one of them!"
These days, she had been cold and distant, but finally, she seemed to be making a request to him, which made Ludwik think she might be slowly coming to terms with her situation.
He cheerfully tickled the sole of her foot and complimented, "Honey, you've been sunbathing for days, and you're somehow glowing even more. Only I seem to have gotten a tan. Tell me, what's your secret? Hm?"
Whitney had no interest in his sweet nothings.
"So, you like beach dresses, babe. I'll have someone order a bunch more right away."
"..."
Whitney thought, he's been in touch with the outside world all this time? Maybe there's even a helicopter on this island.
But she needed to find it.
"Ludwik, you said the Lippert Group is working on a chip project. Aren't you worried about it failing since you're always here, not working?"
Whitney asked, though she couldn't see his expression as she rested her head on his shoulder.
He never answered such probing questions.
"What do you want? For me to take a break from this island getaway to go back and manage the Lippert family's business, so you have a chance to escape?"
His voice deepened ominously.
Whitney fell silent.
"Don't worry, my current project is you! Since I've decided to take a holiday, I'm fully prepared. No need for your little brain to work overtime."
He concluded decisively.
Whitney looked down, disheartened.
Soon, they were on a yacht, arriving at a cliff overlooking the breathtaking Demon's Eye under the sunlight, its waters calm and mirror-like. The beauty and clarity of this forgotten corner of the world struck Whitney. If only her sons were with her, it would've been an unforgettable sight.
Only a man as audacious as Ludwik would dare to dive into the depths of Demon's Eye.
Whitney sat nonchalantly on the beach's edge, watching him leap into the sea with the grace of a panther, mastering the waves like the sovereign of the sea.
For a moment, she wished the Demon's Eye would swallow him whole. That way, she could escape, reunite with her sons, and not be forced into a life dictated by his whims.
But then her heart ached at the thought of her sons grieving their father.
He might be a devil, but he was good to them.
Catching her conflicted expression through the shimmering blue light, he swam back, pulling her into the water, his large hand securing her waist to steady her. He looked into her eyes, both earnest and sad, and asked, "Do you wish me dead, my love? I saw the look in your eyes. Just nod, and I'll swim to the deepest part!"
Saying so, he released her, his fit body heading towards the center of the abyss.
"Ludwik?" Whitney splashed in panic, thinking him mad.
"Do you wish me dead?" he asked again, his tender gaze filled with the sea's blue, lonely and all-encompassing.
Brushing water from her face, she retorted, "Do what you want, your life means nothing to me!"
He began to sink.
Her heart raced, unbelieving he'd dare.
Soon, he was out of sight.
In the deepest center, she dared not follow. "Ludwik? I didn't wish you dead, I just hate you so much. Ludwik? Come back up. Stop joking. Ludwik!"
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