Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 98

"Scram!" The man's mature features twisted into a sneer as he glanced over the women.

The gaggle of simpering women scattered like leaves in the wind.

Nolan shook his head. These were the ladies he had invited to liven up the evening.

He turned to Parker, exchanging a look of mutual resignation, before addressing Elaine, "What's gotten into Ludwik?"

Elaine sighed heavily and said, "Ludwik's had a misunderstanding with Whitney over something."

Another misunderstanding? Nolan's eyes flickered with curiosity as he gave Elaine an extra glance.

He wasn't sure what had transpired, but he couldn't help commenting as he caught sight of the brooding man, whose furrowed brow looked like it could crush a hundred flies, "Ludwik, if Whitney keeps getting under your skin, why not just show her the door?"

The man's gaze was terrifying as it met Nolan's. "What did you say?"

Nolan recoiled slightly while Elaine clenched her fingers, watching the storm brewing in Ludwik's eyes. “He’s anxious for Whitney,” She thought.

Parker voiced Nolan's concerns, "Haven't you noticed? Ever since you've been with Whitney, you've become so unpredictable, Ludwik. You're too easily swayed by her."

"Have you really fallen for her?" Parker leaned in close to Ludwik, whispering.

Ludwik let out a cold laugh, his dark eyes unreadable, offering no reply.

Parker sighed and moved towards Nolan, speaking in a hushed tone, "Even though we both are satisfied with Whitney, the way she's affecting Ludwik... I'm unsure if it's good for her to stay."

"Yeah, Whitney has no idea how tough Ludwik's childhood was, leaving him with that volatile temper. How can she constantly provoke him?"

"Since Ludwik and his mother left the hellhole that was the Lippert family, he's been engrossed in work, cold and reserved. His heart has only held space for the little girl who saved him back then. His emotional troubles haven't surfaced in ages, and his night terrors are also a result of his traumatic past. Why can't Whitney see that and be gentle with Ludwik?"

"She doesn't know, and their relationship isn't yet close. Ludwik would never tell her," Parker concluded in silence.

A man would not confess such a terrifying condition to a woman he cared about.

But these two simply could not manage to have a normal relationship. At this rate, Parker was really worried that Whitney might trigger Ludwik's condition.

Their conversation was cautious, not wanting Elaine to overhear, but that did not stop her from catching bits and pieces.

She knew about Ludwik's temper—his suspicion, sensitivity, and quick anger. These were exactly the weaknesses she planned to exploit. Whitney would soon dig her own grave.

...

In the villa, Whitney woke up in the middle of the night, shivering from the cold. She glanced at the other side of the bed—still empty.

He had not come home.

A stifling sensation grew in her chest. Her body felt icy as her phone suddenly rang.

Tiana messaged her on Facebook, [Whitney, have you seen Elaine's latest post? Why is L partying hard with her at the bar instead of being with you, his pregnant wife? I thought you two had patched things up and were in a lovey-dovey phase?]

Whitney immediately checked the feed. Elaine had gifted baby clothes last time, and they had added each other, along with Tiana, as mutual friends.

She scrolled to Elaine's selfie in a lavish private room, her arm raised, capturing half of a man's enticing chest and a luxurious wristwatch. He leaned back on the couch, seemingly drunk.

Even without a full face in the picture, Whitney recognized L by his mature build—she could never mistake him.

Parker and Nolan were also in the frame.

Elaine's caption read, [Work's been hectic, but drinks are delightful~]