Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 440

Whitney's cheeks flushed a deep red, a mix of anger and a touch of hurt coloring her expression. The chill from Ludwik's gaze made her scalp tingle. Sure, Justin had seen her when her shirt was soaked, but that was just a glance. But this...

Biting her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, Whitney shot back defiantly, "What does it matter to you if he touched me or not? Ludwik, need I remind you that you're almost my brother-in-law? What right do you have to interrogate me like this? Don't you find it ridiculous? You..."

Suddenly, the sound of knocking and hurried footsteps came from outside. Heidi's voice called out with concern, "Ludwik, are you there? Have you seen Whitney? Can you open the door, please?"

Whitney stiffened, her gaze locked on the door, panic evident in her eyes. Instinctively, she clutched at Ludwik's sleeve, forgetting their argument, and asked with reddened eyes, "What do we do now?"

Seeing her panicked face and how she willingly moved closer, Ludwik felt a softening in his gaze. She was holding his shirt, yet to put it on, foolishly arguing with him, her figure fully exposed to his view. Swallowing hard, his voice deep and low, he said, "What to do? First, get dressed. Have you lost your mind? Or are you waiting for me to dress you?"-He raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on her.

Whitney's face turned even redder, and out of sheer panic, she suddenly started hiccupping, "Hic! Hic... Uh!"

"Ludwik, who's with you in there?" Joanne's voice could be heard, sounding suspiciously high-pitched as if she was pressing her ear against the door.

Suddenly, Ludwik's large hand covered Whitney's mouth, and with a swift motion, he took the shirt from her hand, pulling her close and pinning her against the wardrobe, "Ludwik, you... jerk, what are you doing, don't touch me..."

front, slipping the shirt on her. Frustrated beyond belief, she felt like a doll

Whitney thought he would step back... suddenly, he grasped her wrists, pinning them against the

not even worth it," she glared, focusing on his lips. Their breaths mingling, he suddenly stopped, pressing his lips together

He asked, "Hiccups gone?"

Ah." She took a breath, and realizing her hiccups had stopped, her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red, "You..." "Your hiccups were too loud. I had to scare

he had been struggling to restrain himself, nearly succumbing to the urge to kiss her, but he knew he no longer had the right.

watched him go, his gentle assurance unexpectedly calming her racing heart. He didn't kiss her. Would he

crowding the hallway, his gaze icy, "What

Sienna stepped forward, peering into his room, "We're all so worried. We thought we heard

Ludwik's expression darkened, his question sharp. The group shifted uncomfortably, Holly discreetly tugging at Sienna's sleeve, realizing they

involving him, Jarvis wouldn't just sit back and watch. Heidi and Joanne were visibly shaken by his stern demeanor. "Breaking into my villa, do you think I'm that easy-going? Leave." Ludwik's smile was anything but

back at the bedroom. She had come to Ludwik's villa on Florence's behest, but now dared not speak up, sensing Ludwik's suspicion about the night's events. Ludwik closed the door firmly, pulling the slightly bemused Whitney from her hiding spot. Soon after, an elderly servant brought a set of women's clothes. Whitney quickly changed, dried her hair, while Ludwik sat on the sofa,

exiting the villa. Unbeknownst to them, someone paused a short distance away, capturing a photo of Ludwik leading a woman out of the bedroom with a sly smile. Ludwik led Whitney to the helipad. Whitney, puzzled, asked,

an eyebrow, "They're still looking for you. Your father and mine are both involved now. How would you explain where you've been