Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 469

"Your call," Ludwik said, softening his tone upon catching the mist in Whitney's eyes.

He felt a mix of frustration and resignation bubble within him. "Do you have any idea where I've been all day?"

"I don't want to know. Just leave," she replied, her voice firm.

Ludwik, visibly irked and not taking her dismissal lightly, stared at her defiant face for a moment before lighting up a cigarette, blowing the smoke directly at her. She coughed, her lungs protesting, anger rising.

But then, Ludwik gently lifted her chin, his voice softening. "I got news about Sammy. Been wanting to tell you since dawn, but you wouldn't listen. Kept lashing out at me!" "So now, I'm here, swallowing my pride to step into your hotel. Get it?"

Whitney paused, a mix of confusion and urgent concern flitting through her eyes. "What about Sammy? Did you find a clue?"

He didn't reply, letting the smoke curl around him.

Whitney tugged at his sleeve, looking up at him with a vulnerability that seemed to smooth his ruffled feathers.

Ludwik moved closer, his voice low and commanding, "We'll talk later. Cook something first."

"You..."

Her protest was cut off by a suspicious grumble from a stomach - definitely not hers.

Looking up at him, she saw the discomfort on his face, the wound on his forehead adding to his weary look. "You haven't eaten, have you?"

her a look that said, 'Isn't it

dining in blissful romance with Florence? Ah, right, he had met with Parker for Sammy's

mood further, a

with Florence for Sammy, yet couldn't spare a

was he really looking

juggle both? Did he even

altercation. Their eyes met abruptly, causing Whitney to avert her gaze, her throat tightening. "Did you get that wound while searching for Sammy?" He nodded. "Yeah, was chasing someone

explosion?!" She was astounded by his casual

slight smile to Ludwik's lips. "What, you're worried about me now, Whitney?

closer, his usual stern demeanor softened by

City, when life was simpler, despite their

distant, his familiar presence, doing the

affect her. "As if I

bitter smile crossing his thoughts. He had deluded himself, feeling

make her leave for Banyan City, to avoid the turmoil of his feelings. But Whitney wasn't one to back down easily. His determination turned cold. She had this effect on him, yet she claimed to

next time I might as well just

to silence his morbid talk. After

silence between them turning stifling. She decided

noticed him leaning against the counter,

wrong?" she asked,

"Ludwik?"

man before her was reduced to grimacing in

you been without