Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 86

Ludwik turned around, giving Felix a scowl that screamed 'think with your damn brain', and Felix, quivering, immediately got the hint. "Oh! You mean Madam. I understand now."

Ludwik's expression eased slightly; he was surrounded by a bunch of subordinates who could not read the room to save their lives.

Felix hastily dialed Nolan.

Nolan was equally clueless and immediately voiced his discontent, "Ludwik, weren't you and Whitney on the brink of a breakup? Why drag her along? Pregnant ladies can't drink, which will spoil our guys' night out..."

"Do I need to cut out your tongue to shut you up?"

Nolan's face flipped in an instant. "You got it, Ludwik. Consider it done."

"Make sure she comes, but she can't know it was my idea. Now get lost."

After the call, Felix shook his head, amused by how Ludwik wanted to woo his wife but could not swallow his pride.

Felix could already picture how Ludwik would play it cool in the VIP lounge, waiting for Whitney to soften and make amends. The man was his own worst enemy on the path to winning his wife back.

"Elaine, do you need something?" Felix turned to see Elaine standing there.

Elaine, releasing her grip on the documents she had clutched, walked over with a smile. "Bro, are you finally making up with Whitney? That's wonderful news; we've all been living under a dark cloud these past few days."

Ludwik shot her an annoyed look. "Is that how you speak?"

But Elaine did not miss his slightly improved mood, and with a smile, she asked, "Is there a get-together tonight? I'm not working late for once, and I'd love to join in on the fun."

Ludwik gave a noncommittal response.

Elaine handed over some files and left the room.

Back in her office, she stood at her desk and sent the documents flying to the floor with a sweep of her hand.

Her assistant at the door jumped in surprise.

Elaine looked up with a smile and said, "Check if Whitney saw Ludwik today, will you?"

It irked her that her schemes to incite a massive row between them seemed to be unraveling.

How could they reconcile so swiftly?

The assistant soon returned with news. "Ms. Bartels, Whitney did meet with Mr. Lippert today, but he wasn't wearing his usual disguise. She thought it was Ludwik; they had lunch at a French bistro. I bet Whitney poured her heart out, and Mr. Lippert now knows the true extent of her injuries."

Darkness clouded Elaine's thoughts. They had resolved their differences just like that? Whitney did not realize her husband was Ludwik, making it easy for Ludwik to test her feelings.

Should she let Whitney figure out the truth? Elaine wondered. No, if Whitney knew Ludwik was from the prestigious Lippert family, she would never let go!

A cold glint passed through Elaine's eyes. No need to rush; she had plenty of tricks up her sleeve.

Whitney received an invitation from Nolan and was utterly perplexed.

L’s friends were quite a bunch. She had met Parker several times, but Nolan was a stranger to her.

Tiana shrugged. "Why not go? It's his fancy friends' gathering. Maybe he wants to play peacemaker. What if that jerk shows up too?"

Ever since L had ignored Whitney at the hospital, Tiana had swiftly revised her nickname for him.

Whitney thought it best not to offend L’s friends before the divorce was final.

...

At the Royal One Club, the manager escorted Whitney into a luxurious lounge with enthusiastic care. "Nolan insisted we take good care of you. He'll be here soon, Ms. Valentine. Please be patient."

The lounge was empty, elegant, and clean, with not a trace of smoke or alcohol.

As a pregnant woman, Whitney found the sofa quite comfortable. Was Nolan really this thoughtful?

She stared blankly at the entrance.

Whitney thought it was Nolan when someone entered the room but was surprised to see a pretty young girl walk in instead. She looked familiar—Hannah, the it-girl of the entertainment industry and, more so, the darling of the powerful Fuller family.

Elaine sauntered in, her gaze landing gently on Whitney. "Hey, Whitney!" She greeted Whitney with a soft smile.

Whitney offered a slight, knowing grin in return.

As the girl burst into the room, she immediately started barking orders at the manager. "Fetch me a cocktail!"

The manager, not wanting to cross Hannah, glanced uncomfortably at Whitney. "Hannah, Ms. Valentine is expecting, and Nolan has declared this booth a no-smoking, no-drinking zone."

Hannah's eyes flashed with indignation as she turned to Whitney, her laugh tinged with scorn. "And who is she, exactly? Just some baby-making machine! Oh, and look at that couch—it's fabulous. Manager, I'm sitting there!"

She pointed to the plush sofa where Whitney was seated.

Cornered, the manager reluctantly signaled for someone to pour the drink.

Whitney narrowed her eyes, realizing this was a direct challenge.

In L’s friends' eyes, she seemed nothing more than a vessel for childbearing.

Whitney pressed her lips together and turned to the manager.

The manager was in a bind. "But, this couch is Ms. Valentine's seat."

Hannah's face radiated entitlement as she pressured the manager. "You do know who I am, right? Can’t you tell her to move the hell away?"

Whitney, ever the peacemaker, said, "Hannah, what he means is this is a couch reserved for expecting mothers. Are you pregnant, too?"

Hannah's expression turned icy. "You dare mock me? A mere surrogate, and you have the nerve to be so bold."

With a flick of her wrist, she splashed her drink across the sofa, drenching the edge of Whitney's dress.