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She trembled with unprecedented rage at the sight of Ashton, her fingers quivering with fury. “It’s all
because you’re blind and foolish, siding with the devil, supporting Elaine’s lies! To hell with all three of
you! I was blind to give everything to marry a scoundrel like you. I regret it!”
“What… What did you say?” Ashton frowned, taken aback by her vitriolic outburst. He had never seen
her this angry before.
“Ludwik!” Valerie cried uncontrollably. “You have no idea what Whitney went through in that sanatorium.
Last night, she finally escaped, intending to find you. Why were you so conveniently not in Banyan City
at that critical moment? Can’t you see what’s happening?”
She was consumed with hatred on behalf of Whitney and Tiana. Tiana was now ruined, her
whereabouts unknown, likely hiding, and terrified.
And Whitney, oh, Whitney…
Valerie covered her face and ran out, filled with despair.
At the entrance, Parker arrived late, his seductive, tired eyes barely concealed by his glasses.
Nolan was furious. “Where the hell were you last night? Ludwik’s child was born prematurely, and
Whitney abandoned the baby and fled. We don’t know if she’s lost at sea or has escaped! Elaine
claims it was a conspiracy between Whitney and Tiana, and now Ludwik is broken.”
Parker paused, glancing toward the ward.
“Tiana tried to set up Elaine by hiring thugs, only to be humiliated by them. Now she’s hiding
somewhere, her reputation in tatters by morning.”
Parker’s frown deepened. That bubbly girl?
“Where were you last night?” Nolan demanded again.
Parker averted his eyes, the heat in them fading as he said, “I didn’t mean to be absent, but you know
how it is in the underworld, always in trouble. I was ambushed last night and nearly killed, saved by a
woman.”
He had risked his life, and now he feared he had brought disaster upon that woman.
When he woke up this morning, she was gone.
Parker did not want things to end up this way, regretting the unexpected loss of his innocence, but he
knew he had to take responsibility. Thus, he turned and ordered his subordinate, “Keep looking for that
woman.”
Nolan understood but refrained from teasing Parker, urging him to enter the ward. Parker was always
able to get through to Ludwik.
“Ludwik?” Parker called out to the man sitting there, pale and cold as a statue. In one night, Ludwik
seemed to have changed, his calm exterior hiding a chilling distance.
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“Ludwik, I’ve heard the details from Felix. There are a few things you should consider.
First, why did your company face trouble last night? I heard you planned to take Elaine to the South,
but she claimed she had stomach pains and didn’t go.
And coincidentally, Whitney teamed up with Tiana to frame Elaine, escaping the sanatorium to
‘rescue‘ Bryce?
Don’t you think it’s all too convenient?”
Ludwik’s eyes lifted slowly, his gaze piercingly cold. “Didn’t you tell me some time ago that you
personally checked on my mother’s transplant surgery at the nephrology department and found nothing
suspicious?”
“I only did a preliminary investigation of that surgery.”
“Last night, Whitney and Tiana schemed and found a girl to falsely accuse Elaine of a sham kidney
donation, and Ashton confirmed Elaine indeed has one kidney after a physical exam. When you
checked the nephrology department, did you encounter Tiana or Whitney?”
Parker hesitated, recalling Tiana. He was impartial. “Indeed, I saw Ms. Melford at TriMed Hospital that
day, leaving Dr. Horatio‘ office. She was probably investigating the transplant surgery or Elaine.”
Ludwik snorted coldly, his gaze becoming indifferent. “I don’t think so. She went to the hospital to find a
girl selling organs, already planning to frame Elaine by then.”
Parker remained silent, unable to refute, remembering Tiana’s evasive response when he asked her
about her visit to the hospital.
Ludwik’s eyes turned to the incubator, his fists tightening with a creak. “Felix, send the word out.
Boycott the Melford family.”
“Ludwik, Whitney is still missing. She might have really fallen into the sea. There could be more to this
story.”
“Anyone else who speaks for that woman, I shall show no mercy!”
Parker frowned but persisted. “Ludwik, I know you’re deeply hurt, but even if Whitney is heartless, she
left you this child. Consider the child’s sake, if not hers.”
Ludwik sneered. His icy heart and frosty expression seemed to solidify into impenetrable ice.
“No, she didn’t leave me the child. She abandoned it. She didn’t want it! Parker, you’ll never understand
how I feel. It’s like I’m already dead inside.”
His eyes were like a bottomless abyssal, and his hatred was perhaps just as deep.
Elaine listened outside, feeling triumphant. She turned and confidently made a call, her head held high.
“Ludwik has ordered a boycott of the Melford family. You know how to help it along, right? Jaxon, take
more compromising photos of Tiana. Threaten her–if she speaks out, her
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parents will pay with their lives. Spin her story, turn her into the rat everyone despises!”
With this, Tiana’s ‘evidence‘ would not be a worry anymore.
Days later, news came from Emperor City that no woman had been caught attempting to rescue
Bryce.
Felix reported to Ludwik with a heavy heart, “Mr. Lippert, it seems Ms. Valentine didn’t attempt a
rescue. Was Elaine mistaken, or was it a rumor? Perhaps Ms. Valentine really did fall into the sea. We
need to intensify the search in the waters.”
The flash of divine insight, lasting but a mere second, was enough for Ludwik to picture another child,
so tiny, being cast into the ocean’s vastness, and from then on, no ripple could stir his
heart.
With a tired, cold smirk, he muttered, “Then it will be a companion burial. When I find my child, I’ll give
him a proper send–off.”
A month later, the coast guard captain, whose loyalty Elaine had bought, covertly informed her, “Ms.
Bartels, two incomplete bodies have been found near the coral reefs–one adult and one infant.”
Elaine’s eyes sparkled with a nearly joyous light, relieved that the ordeal was finally settled, certain now
that Whitney was indeed dead. She promptly transferred a hefty sum to the captain, instructing him to
doctor the report to only the discovery of an infant.
When Ludwik received the news, it was met with nothing but a scoff, his heart as cold as ice. He had
lain alone on the ocean floor for a month, and his mother had indeed cruelly discarded him and moved
on.
He rushed to the morgue to claim the pitiful tiny body, covering his long, damp eyes as he sat alone in
the chilling silence for a day. Later, he would lay the child to rest in Banyan City’s most prestigious
cemetery.
Afterward, the name Whitney was erased overnight from Banyan City, disappearing without a
trace.
No one dared to utter that name in the presence of Mr. Lippert – the woman who was the business
prodigy, who had scandalously married two of Banyan City’s most formidable men within a year, whose
actions led to Bryce’s misfortune. Her scandals, much like the city’s relentless downpours, ceased
abruptly, leaving no trace as if they had vanished with the first light of dawn.
Elaine firmly secured her position as the future Mrs. Lippert, her victory absolute. Whitney was dead,
and she had led Ludwik to believe Whitney had escaped alive, embedding hatred in his bones.
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She had thought that after the initial guilt, Ludwik would come to loathe the child as an
extension of his resentment. But she had underestimated how deeply ingrained the child was in
Ludwik’s heart.
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Ludwik was on the edge, teetering close to a breakdown, clinging to his newborn as his lifeline to sanity.
Despite the fact that the little tyke had been in the incubator for what seemed like an eternity, facing
life–threatening complications every other day, Ludwik had exhausted every medical avenue and
refused to give up. He was there day in and day out as if possessed while completely ignoring Skyfaith
Electronic Tech.
In such a state, Elaine felt as though she had become invisible, unable to even get close.
And the idea of finding a chance to eliminate the bane of her existence was laughably far–fetched.
Finally, after six months, the baby was out of the incubator. Ludwik, with his ragged beard and a touch
of despair that made him all the more alluring, cracked a rare smile.
But Elaine was still kept at arm’s length from the child.
Ludwik took the baby to Natalie’s house, where he devoted his nights to solo parenting–nursing,
changing diapers, never once asking for help.
Elaine, seeing no other way, gritted her teeth and shifted strategies. The baby was young, just a few
months old. If she raised him as her own, surely he would call her ‘mom‘ someday. To avenge
Whitney’s death and then have her child call her ‘mom‘ felt like a twisted form of victory.
And it would certainly secure Ludwik’s heart.
By adopting this approach, Elaine did indeed manage to earn a smidgen of trust and favor from the
man. She finally felt she could tentatively reach for his heart, which had been sealed away for half a
year.
One night, after the weak child had finished his milk and fallen asleep, Elaine sought out Ludwik, who
had retreated to his study to bury himself in work. She was determined to have a serious
talk about their future.
Ludwik was detached from everything, but the gentle Elaine approached, bashfully snuggling into his
embrace, and whispered, “Ludwik, I can wait for you indefinitely, for a spot in your heart, but I worry. If
you continue to shut yourself away, you’re only tormenting yourself.
I can’t bear to see you hurt like this. Please, for Danny’s sake, come out of this. He needs a normal dad
and a mom, a complete family. It’s time to let her go. She’s not worth your remembrance, not even your
hatred. No mother could be that cruel…”
“You worry too much,” Ludwik closed his file, his profile sharp and expression darkening.
Elaine’s breath hitched, and in a bold move, she kissed his jawline, pleading with infatuated
desperation, “If you still harbor hatred and seek revenge, wouldn’t the best way be to fall for another
woman, to build a life and find happiness with her? Wouldn’t that be the cruelest
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comeback?”
As if realization suddenly dawned on him, Ludwik’s enigmatic gaze landed on Elaine, who was
undeniably beautiful. A flash of deep coldness crossed his features.
Elaine’s lips trailed down along his skin to his throat as she whispered fervently. “I’m worth it. Ludwik. I
deserve your attention.”
“You’re right.” Ludwik murmured, closing his eyes, a mix of exhaustion and simmering resentment in
his tone. He traced her lips, kissing her with a controlled intensity. “Not loving a good woman like you is
a sickness, one I must cure. The best revenge is to fall for you. Let’s be a happy family of three. Take
good care of Danny, Elaine. You’re his mother now.”
His gaze was hooded as he kissed her, movements stiff yet unrelenting. Elaine, flushed with success,
knew the weight of his words. With her head held high, flushed with triumph, she thought Whitney must
be turning in her grave.
Defeated, two lives lost!
Three years later, abroad.
Dawn was just breaking as a medical examination room in a medical academy buzzed with activity.
The male doctor tapped the woman’s knees, saying, “Ms. Valentine, after three years, your chronic
condition has finally improved, but remember, the after–effects are lifelong. You must avoid standing in
the cold and soaking your legs in ice water, or you’ll suffer unbearable pain.”
The woman, who had been deprived of sunlight for years, had a snow–white, breathtakingly beautiful
face, her skin porcelain smooth. She stood up, jumping lightly, her voice husky from permanent
damage yet sultry. “I understand. And don’t forget, I’m your senior at this medical academy. It’s just that
doctors can’t operate on themselves, so I needed you to help with the acupuncture.”
“You’re stubborn. What’s the rush that you’re interrupting your treatment? You’re a miracle worker in
our hospital. I heard you’re transferring your medical license back to Harmonia Country?”
“I’ve got a patient back home,” she replied evasively, picking up her boxing gloves and heading for the
rehab room.
The doctor shook his head in resignation. Ms. Valentine had been on death’s door three years ago,
right after childbirth. She had worked hard these past years, pushing the limits to climb the career
ladder.
At seven o’clock, Whitney returned to her villa.
Torin was watering the plants. He was deaf and mute, but they communicated through writing.
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Whitney, carrying breakfast, dashed into the living room. Yael Tennyson signaled from the stairs, her
slender figure exuding gentleness, “Whitney, Sammy’s still snoozing.”
“That little sleepyhead.: Whitney chuckled, though her eyes betrayed her concern.
Sammy had suffered an asthma attack the night before, only settling down at dawn.
Whitney entered his tiny bedroom, where her son curled up in bed, his princely features and delicate
frame at odds with his ruddy cheeks–a testament to her care.
A flicker of coldness crossed her eyes, not wanting to recall how she had managed to nurse him to this
state of health in the last three years.
That fateful night, she had leaped into the sea, overwhelmed by bitterness, only to be saved by an
unexpected rescuer.
Later, when Bryce was released, he found Whitney, who had fled abroad. Then, he secretly helped her
find her cousin Yael, both barely clinging to life, hiding out for three years.
To treat both Sammy’s cold–induced asthma and her leg injuries, Whitney revisited traditional
medicine,
Fortuitously, Torin, a servant from her grandfather’s days and whom she had once sent Simon to find,
had been overseas for a decade.
In his possession were medical books left by Whitney’s mother, and by studying those books, Whitney
became known as a miracle acupuncturist, gaining a modest reputation over the past three years.
These memories seemed lengthy yet fleeting. Agony and struggle had become her constant
bedfellows, keeping her awake night after night. Every time she closed her eyes, the memories of that
fateful night played out in excruciating detail. She needed time to gather her strength, to
heal.
But that despicable pair were out there, living it up, not granting her a moment’s respite!
Today, they were preparing to celebrate their grand wedding. Yet in prison, her uncle, Keegan, was novelbin
suddenly convicted of murder, his life sentence turned into a death sentence. Was this Elaine’s twisted
version of a ‘wedding gift‘?
Skye Gem Ltd., once a beacon of stability, was now adrift and on the auction block after three
years.
Tiana, humiliated and exposed by Elaine’s malicious leaking of photos, had brought the wrath of that
despicable man down on the Melford family, leading to their social ostracism. After her disgrace, Tiana
had a pregnancy no one had anticipated.
In these three years, she had avoided all contact with others, but Bryce had relayed that Tiana was
forced to give birth, the child now two years old.
With each thought, Whitney’s hatred became impossible to conceal. The architect of all this chaos was
none other than Elaine. How could she possibly let this woman go unpunished?
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With each grievance, she vowed to settle with that despicable pair. It was time to return home.
“Whitney, you have to find a way to save Dad from the death penalty,” Yael pleaded, his voice tinged
with unease.
“Of course, this trip back isn’t just about rescuing family and friends; it’s also about revenge!”
Whitney squeezed her hand, her alluring eyes brimming with a chilling intent.
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Whitney was only worried about one thing – Sammy. She bent down, kissing her son with the utmost
care, hoping not to reveal the secret that she was about to skip town. Her heart ached as she stood up,
hastily packing her clothes.
“Sammy’s as sharp as a tack, too clever by half. I can’t take him back with me; he’ll be in your care for
now, Yael.”
“You’re afraid… that man will find out and snatch him away, aren’t you?”
Whitney remained silent; that was indeed her greatest fear.
Yael sighed. Sammy was a chip off the old block, smart as his biological father.
To Whitney, he was as sweet as apple pie, but turn your back, and he was sly as a fox, a real handful.
“I can’t promise I’ll be able to handle the little terror, but if anything comes up, I’ll give you a buzz.”
“Just keep an eye on his asthma. It generally doesn’t flare up, but be cautious all the same.”
“Yeah, your boyfriend booked your flight.”
Whitney’s mouth twitched in annoyance, correcting her once more, “Don’t call him that.”
“Sooner or later, it’ll be true. You need someone to rely on.” Yael did not know what Whitney used to be
like, but these past three years, she’d become too cold and heartless.
Whitney, grabbed her suitcase, gave a casual wave, and thought to herself, “Why would I need anyone
to rely on? I won’t drag any good people down with me again.”
Being heartless was her best weapon. Let the past drift away; let the villains seek their happiness?
Sorry, but no. She was back!
Two days later, at the airport, Whitney stepped out in high heels.
The woman, hidden behind sunglasses, with her flawless skin and stunning figure, still caught the gaze
of countless men.
A mature and graceful figure immediately approached her. “Whitney!”
Bryce’s eyes held a concealed wonder; she was even more enchanting than she had been three years
ago, her figure as youthful as a maiden’s.
His gaze lingered on her legs beneath her trench coat, and a twinge of pain crossed his face.
“Are your legs okay? Aren’t you wearing too little?” he asked, a note of longing in his voice.
Whitney embraced him casually, nonchalantly replying, “It’s nothing.”
“Let’s get in the car.”
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She smoothed her skirt and sat down quietly, an air of detached indifference surrounding her.
Only Bryce could see through the glossy surface to the weariness hidden beneath.
He changed the subject. “Whitney, I’ve looked into the matter you asked about. Natalie is still alive.”
Whitney pressed her lips. Natalie had been in a vegetative state for three years. She had told Taryn
that after three years, she would change the medication. That was one of the reasons for her return.
“Also, I’m on the lookout for that child psychologist from Emperor City you wanted to find for Sammy.
His condition isn’t serious, is it?”
Whitney gave a wry smile. It was not exactly serious, but Sammy had some issues with his personality
– dissociative identity disorder. When it struck, his personality would change completely.
Doctors abroad suggested it might be related to genetics and a lack of fatherly love. Warm–hearted
normally, cold and detached when the disorder hit. His personality was unstable. novelbin
The little guy never asked about his father, and she lied, telling him the man was dead long ago. Deep
down, though, she knew Sammy held onto some wild fantasies; he was always full of ideas.
She sighed softly. “It’s fine, Bryce. There’s no rush on this.”
“So, what brings you back this time?”
“Orion roped me into a challenging case. He said it could be the breakthrough I needed to save my
uncle. I’m going to test the waters first. You know I can’t refuse him.”
Bryce, of course, knew why she could not refuse Orion.
But at the mention of Orion, he glanced at the rear–view mirror, his brows furrowing as he said,
I
“Orion’s a tricky one,ney. I know you have a lot on your plate, but I don’t want you getting
entangled with him. If it’s revenge you’re after, you can count on me. I’ll help you.”
Whitney met his gaze and said nothing, only reaching down to pull out a box of pills. “These will keep
your father Hunter’s heart condition stable. Keep giving them to him.”
Bryce stiffened slightly. She was reminding him that she still felt guilty for their engagement party three
years ago.
“Whitney… my father’s heart attack was an accident, and we owe it to your medicine that he’s still
stable.”
“It’s the least I can do.” Whitney leaned back into her seat.
Bryce wanted to say more, but the car radio suddenly switched to breaking news. “Skyfaith Electronic
Tech’s Mr. Lippert has spent a whopping 800 million dollars on a villa for his
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fiancée, Elaine Bartels. It’s taken three years to complete, and Mr. Lippert’s affection for Elaine is the
talk of Banyan City. It seems their big day is just around the corner…”
Bryce quickly changed the station, then hesitated before saying, “It’s true. They’ve set a date for the
wedding. It’s said to be even grander than the engagement party.”
“Is that so? Good for them.” Whitney’s voice was calm, her body showing no sign of agitation.
Her heart had died the night she threw herself into the sea, filled now only with hatred. Perhaps that
was not such a bad shell to inhabit.
She smirked. “Quite surprising, dragging it on until now.”
Bryce quickly added, “They’ve been living together anyway, and rumor has it they’ve got a kid.
Someone spotted them going to register the birth. Ludwik’s been off the rails these last few years; no
one’s seen the child nor dared to ask. Who knows if it’s true.”
Whitney gazed out the window, her gaze momentarily faltering.
All the effort to keep Sammy away, and then they had another? Laughable.
The hatred simmered, lurking in the depths.
“Bryce, I’m a bit tired. Wake me when we get to the apartment,” she said, closing her eyes lazily. Bryce
could not help but notice the abrupt end to the conversation. She seemed not to care, as if she were
above it all.
Was she really?
She had changed a lot. Her beautiful, hopeful eyes had once been cute and soft; now, they were
bewitching and detached as if she were heartless.
Was this change for better or worse?
Bryce pursed his lips, certain of one thing: her cold yet alluring demeanor only deepened his
fascination.
The apartment was the same one Whitney had bought three years ago, though Bryce had made some
changes.
The nursery, with its crib, was now adorned with a Transformers bed, stacks of Lego sets, and
countless other toys.
Bryce chuckled. “I thought you might bring Sammy back, so I spruced up the place overnight, thinking
he’d love it.”
Whitney was touched by the gesture.
Bryce had truly given so much for her, heart and soul.
Her emotions stirred, and she smiled genuinely. “Sammy loves his Uncle Bryce.”
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“How could he not? I’m like a big kid; no child can resist me. Besides, I’ve always seen him as my own
son!”
Whitney’s eyes tightened, a touch of emotion tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I wish he had a
father like you…”
“Whitney.” The man walked over and took her hand, his thin lips moving slightly. “I blame myself for not
protecting you three years ago, which led to Sammy being born premature!
But my feelings for you haven’t changed. In three years, he’s become a force to be reckoned with, his
power sweeping across Empire City, but I haven’t been idle. Whatever you want to do, I’m with you all
the way this time. I’ve been right here waiting for you.”
Whitney was silent. She knew she was fortunate to have such a devoted man. It would be a lie to say
she was not moved.
Yet, she felt a little dazed and self–deprecating. “Bryce, I can’t promise you anything. In my pursuit of
what I want, I’m not even sure what I might become.”
“I’m sure enough for both of us. I can see into your heart, Whitney. It’s my own wishful thinking, but I’m
willing to wait for years if I have to.”
Whitney was touched deep down but said nothing more, silently leaning on her hand as she looked out
the window. “The case regarding my uncle in prison…”
“Yeah, I’ll fax the details to you when I get back, and I’ve found the lawyer you were looking for. But
visiting a high–security inmate isn’t that easy.”
“I’ve come back, so there’s no rush. Whoever wants my uncle dead, I’ll find them! By the way, is the
auction of Skye Gem the day after tomorrow evening?”
“Yes, get yourself ready. That will be your first public appearance in Banyan City in a long time.” Bryce
patted her delicate shoulder with a reassuring gesture.
She gently touched the Skye Gem Ltd. folder on the table, her fingertips gleaming coldly as she
clenched her hand slowly.
“Tomorrow, I’ll start by taking a position at the hospital. After my rounds, I might need to see Tiana. Can
you give me her contact?”
The mention of Tiana made Whitney’s heart clench.
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Bryce slipped Whitney a note. “Give it a shot. Ms. Melford’s been dodging us for years, scared she’ll
drag us down. Her whole family’s been like ghosts in Banyan City ever since that man flew into a rage,
and the whole town turned against them. They’ve had it rough.”
Whitney’s eyes reddened slightly. After Bryce left, she immediately made a call, her heart pounding
anxiously as she waited for someone to pick up. But no one did.
Back in the day, the Melfords were not aristocracy, but they were filthy rich. Tiana had been burdened
by her, giving birth to a child of uncertain origin, wrecking her life!
This was Whitney’s deepest grudge.
Holding the note, Whitney spent a sleepless night.
Come morning, Elaine woke up in the arms of a man.
Feeling his powerful breaths and sculpted chest muscles, she blushed, and her heart raced, craving to
possess him.
But she could not get close…
What woman could stand it?
She bit her lip, hidden beneath the covers, and, full of expectation, turned over to plant a kiss on his
abs, her hand slowly…
“Elaine, what are you doing?” The man’s voice, groggy and irresistibly husky, carried a chilling edge as
his hand firmly grasped hers.
With flushed cheeks, Elaine bit her lip and looked up, her face flushed with a rosy fragrance. “Ludwik,
I’ve been reading some books. They say men are spirited in the morning. Why don’t we give it another
try? Otherwise, when will we get married and have another baby?”
Her urgency was palpable as she clung to his chest, unwilling to let go.
Ludwik opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling as if in a daze.
After a while, his brows furrowed slightly, and, unable to refuse her any longer, he rolled over, his arm
encircling her.
His long legs, a lethal temptation, had Elaine’s heart pounding as she closed her eyes.
But soon, the man got up, visibly repulsed, his lips pressed thin as he looked at the woman who had
become stiff and dumbstruck.
He stroked her face, his voice low and frustrated as he said, “Sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong, I want
to make you happy. Let’s try again next time!”
Then he rose, walking to the bathroom without a backward glance.
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Elaine lifted her head, unwilling to accept fate, and watched his tall figure disappear.
He was such a splendid man, fulfilling every fantasy a woman could have. Just looking at his
handsome face and breathing in his scent was enough to make her blush. But why, after three years,
did he always react like this when things got serious?
Frustrated, Elaine got up and glanced at her sexy slip dress, feeling the irony.
These three years of abstinence were driving her mad! She had lost her virginity long ago, but she had
feigned innocence and kept men at bay to get close to Ludwik.
But that was just for a few months; she had thought that after Whitney’s death, she would quickly
capture Ludwik’s heart and spend their days in loving bliss. Little did she expect his erectile dysfunction
to last three years!
Sometimes, seeing his indifference, she was tempted to turn to another man.
The sound of the shower stopped, and the frosted glass revealed the man’s noble figure.
Elaine, filled with yearning, quickly picked up the scattered pillows and adopted a gentle and virtuous
demeanor. “Ludwik, let me get you a towel.”
Ludwik was tired of her charades. “I’ve got one here, Elaine.”
But she was already inside, wrapping her arms around his lean waist, her head lowered to kiss the
droplets on him, her voice soft and pleading. “Ludwik, I’ve found a renowned specialist from overseas
who can treat the most difficult cases. There’s no illness he can’t cure. He’s available at ten this
morning. Will you see him, please?”
“The Bartels Hospital has arranged more than ten doctors. Did that help? Elaine, maybe I just
need more time.”
“Three years is a long time, Ludwik. Don’t you love me?” She was on the brink of tears.
Ludwik gently wiped them away, feeling a twinge of guilt. “Of course I do.”
“Then why can’t you want me if you love me?”
He turned away, hating his own unresponsive body.
Resentment welled up in him; he even suspected that cursed woman had hexed him, keeping him from
moving on with his life.
“This doctor will cure you for sure. He’s had success with men’s health issues, Ludwik. Try it for our
happiness, will you?”
Ludwik licked his lips, his allure only intensifying the prohibition, driving Elaine wild.
He was mature, exuding a masculine charm, yet so detached and cold.
Unable to resist, she dropped to her knees, batting her eyes seductively, “Ludwik, there’s still time
before work. Let’s give it a proper go…” novelbin
But he looked down at her actions, his eyes flickering with an instinctive repulsion, “Elaine, it’s
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no use.”
“Ludwik, don’t put on your robe just yet…”
“Thump, thump, thump!”
A sudden bout of knocking, chaotic and childish.
Ludwik, as if he knew who it was, instantly wrapped himself in a robe and strode out.
Elaine knew, too. A flicker of resentment in her eyes as she rolled them and followed with a smile.
“Danny sure is an early riser these days.”
Ludwik’s lips curled into a faint smile as he opened the door only to hear the child’s milky voice respond
to Elaine, “If I don’t come to save the man, aren’t you locking him up to hog him all to yourself again?”
Elaine froze, unable to even fake a smile, a chill flashing in the corner of her eye.
Ludwik’s handsome features twitched as he looked down at the short, stern little guy, “You little rascal!
How dare you speak like that? You can’t disturb Daddy and Mommy when we haven’t gotten up yet.”
The kid gave a cold glance, pointing at Elaine with few but harsh words. “She’s not my Mommy! And
don’t you two think about sneaking around to make a little sibling behind my back!”
Elaine rolled her eyes again and, feigning tears, crouched down to embrace him. “Danny, I went
through so much to give birth to you and raise you. How can you say such things and break my
heart?”
“Don’t try to pull a fast one on me. I’m totally nothing like you. You used to fool me because I was little,
but I’ve grown up now, so cut it out.”
Hearing this, Elaine gave Ludwik an aggrieved look.
Ludwik, however, was looking at his son with amusement, the corners of his mouth lifting into a sly grin
as he crossed his arms and teased lightly. “Got an itch you can’t scratch, kiddo?”
“Dad, I gotta pee! Ludwik, come on and hoist this little lord to the john,” his son’demanded, mimicking
his father’s imperious stance with his small arms akimbo.
Lucas could not help but snort with laughter as he scooped up his cool little dude and headed toward
the bathroom.
Emily watched with gritted teeth as the man seemed to be utterly devoted to his son. With this little
rascal around, she would always play second fiddle!
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When Daniel Lippert, whose nickname was Danny, was too young to speak, fragile and sickly, he was
under Elaine’s thumb.
But now, at three and a half, ever since he found his voice, he had stopped listening to Elaine. This
little ingrate, true to her mother Delphine’s words–a snake that could not be tamed. Recently, for some
reason, he suddenly stopped calling Elaine ‘mom‘, realizing he was not like her. So young, yet so cold
and defiant!
A shadow crossed Elaine’s eyes–a child born of that wretch could never be kept.
Once she had a child with Ludwik, she would find a way to dispose of him. With a new comfort for
Ludwik, he would not grieve too long.
For now, she would tolerate him–a little brat, easily duped by her cunning schemes.
Elaine took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax as she descended the stairs. The breakfast was
already secretly prepared by the maid.
She pretended to serve it.
When Ludwik and Daniel came downstairs, Elaine lifted her face with a feigned, gentle smile. Then,
she overheard their conversation.
“What’s with the pale face? Didn’t sleep well last night?”
The boy replied coolly, “Had a nightmare.”
The man paused, his noble hand caressing his son’s cheek. “I will sleep with you every night from now
on.”
“Aren’t you supposed to spend a couple of nights with her?”
“Your mom can wait. You’re still young,” Ludwik said curtly.
Elaine’s smile froze.
Suddenly, the boy hung his head, murmuring, “Kids at preschool say you’ll get rid of me if you have a
new baby.”
“Then we won’t have one,” Ludwik frowned, then realized something.
“Is that why you’ve been upset since morning?”
The little one coldly wriggled out of his embrace and headed for the table.
Ludwik’s gaze followed, landing on Elaine, “Elaine, Danny’s been having trouble sleeping. Let’s sleep
separately tonight. You heard us. He needs a sense of security. We can talk about having another child
later. Anyway, the treatment is going to take some time.”
It was not a discussion; when it came to this kid, Ludwik wouldn’t hear otherwise–Daniel was spoiled
rotten.
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Elaine nearly crushed the dish in her hand, giving the child a venomous look. However, the next
moment, she steadied her breath and managed a loving smile. “Danny’s health has just improved
these past months. Of course, he comes first.”
Ludwik seemed pleased, patting her shoulder. “You’re a good mom.”
Yet, the child sat at the table, appraising this ‘good mom‘ with a detached gaze.
Elaine continued the charade, bringing over a plate, “Danny! Mommy made your favorite chicken
soup!”
Daniel tasted it and turned his face. “You didn’t make this. I can tell from the taste that Fleur made it.
Why lie?”
An awkward silence filled the room; the maid, Fleur, shuddered and retreated into the kitchen.
Elaine was livid but stole a glance at Ludwik.
He sipped his coffee thoughtfully before speaking, “Your mom wants you to like her. We should be
forgiving of a woman’s little lies.”
Though he sounded forgiving, he mercilessly exposed the truth.
Elaine felt even more awkward. With her delicate fingers, how could she possibly make meals for this
little bastard every day? In fact, she even wished him weak and ill.
“Ludwik, I just didn’t have time this morning. Usually, I care for Danny myself.”
“I know. It’s just that he doesn’t like what you make. The little devil is picky; I’ll handle it.”
Ludwik’s tone was cold as he rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen.
Elaine watched, her resentment growing deeper. For three years, from baby food to meals, Ludwik did
it all, even rushing home for lunch to cook for the finicky child!
Would her own child ever receive such devotion?
Or was it because, after all, this child was Whitney’s?
The more Elaine thought, the angrier she became. Her gaze fixed on Daniel; she “accidentally”
knocked over the cutlery box, sending a fork flying onto the back of Daniel’s soft hand. The boy. still
young, turned to Elaine and screamed.
“Ah!” A small cut appeared on his chubby hand.
“Hey! Old man!” Daniel howled towards the kitchen. “She hit me!”
Elaine quickly covered his mouth before Ludwik could hear the commotion and emerge from the
kitchen. Pretending to stop the bleeding, she squeezed the boy’s hand harder, turning his face purple,
unable to cry out.
He struggled to reach Ludwik.
“What happened?” Ludwik emerged, brows knitted in concern.
DIA
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Elaine let go, feigning concern. “Ludwik, Danny was careless with the cutlery. It’s my fault for not
watching him, and he hurt himself. Fleur, get a band–aid!”
“You’re lying. You hit me,” Daniel sobbed weakly.
Ludwik glared, examining the scattered cutlery and his son’s defiant demeanor.
Elaine’s eyes reddened. “Danny, Mommy loves you. How could I hurt you? Let it go, Ludwik, as long as
he’s happy. But Danny, you really can’t play with these things again. What if you get hurt?”
She caressed his head, the picture of affection.
Ludwik sighed, fixing a band–aid on his son, then lectured sternly, “This is your mom. Don’t let me see
you disrespect her again, slandering her. Where did you pick up such bad habits?”
“I didn’t.” Daniel bit his lip, his beautiful face cold yet aggrieved. “Ask the maids. They saw her hit me!”
Fleur and the maids bowed their heads in silence.
Elaine remained calm; her word was law in this house.
Ludwik surveyed the room. “I know you’re mischievous. Your “Little Demon” title in preschool is
deserved.”
He blew gently on the wound, the pain hitting deep.
Unexpectedly, the boy pushed his father’s handsome face away, his little cheeks red with anger, his
eyes blazing with fury yet helpless. Finally, he huffed, “Stinky Dad! I’m not eating. I’m going
to Grandma’s.”
“Stay put. Finish your meal first.”
Ludwik’s face turned stern. “And stop throwing tantrums. Enough is enough. You’re going to preschool
today, no exceptions.”
“Nobody likes me there. I’m not going!” Little Daniel’s face flushed with distress.
Elaine watched the father–son quarrel unfold with a sly grin. So, they thought they could outsmart her?
With a saccharine smile, she turned her gaze to the little outcast and cooed, “Ludwik, don’t be too hard
on Danny. If he doesn’t want to go to the international preschool, it must be because he’s had a little tiff
with the other children. Why don’t I take him to the regular class? I’ve heard the kids there are more
down–to–earth. Maybe Danny could make some friends there.”
At her words, a wave of panic washed over Daniel’s eyes.
The regular class was where the chubby kid who tormented him relentlessly was. This woman was
doing this on purpose. She knew that he had asked his father to sleep in his room to prevent Daddy
from having a new baby with her.
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This was her revenge!
Chapter 246
Chapter 246
He clenched his tiny fists tightly, unable to articulate a defense against the stinging words.
Ludwik furrowed his brow as he thought about his son, Daniel. The boy was reticent, aloof, and had
always been a loner, playing by himself since he could crawl. The only person he ever opened up to
was Ludwik, his father, and that was only during their love–hate squabbles. The pediatrician had once
commented that Daniel’s solitude bordered on autism.
Elaine had mentioned that the boy struggled to fit in at preschool and often resorted to hitting other
children.
It troubled Ludwik deeply. If mainstreaming him in a regular class could improve his social skills, then it
was worth a shot.
“Alright, we’ll do it your way,” he decided, siding with Elaine, his wife.
Daniel’s hopeful eyes, which had been looking for his dad to object, dimmed at the words. He felt
betrayed. His father never truly inquired about his feelings, always taking Elaine’s side.
With his little fists balled up, the frail boy stood up and stormed off to the backyard.
“He always runs off to his grandmother whenever things don’t go his way. Kids these days…” Ludwik
sighed, hoping his son would grow up healthy and sociable.
“Don’t overthink it, Ludwik,” Elaine consoled, aware of why the boy was upset. In her heart, she reveled
in the discord she sowed between father and son. It was exactly what she wanted.
That old lady in the backyard, who had been hanging on for three years, was a thorn in her side. But
what could the child really confide in her, and could she even hear him?
A child without a mother was easy prey for her schemes. It was unfortunate for Whitney to have passed
so young.
Elaine silently gloated, knowing she held all the cards now. With Whitney’s uncle on the brink of a life
sentence, the Bartels family would soon have nothing to fear.
Once she cured Ludwik of his erectile dysfunction, she would be the happiest woman alive, in both
body and soul.
She smiled to herself, adjusting Ludwik’s tie with feigned affection. “Ludwik, take a couple of hours off
for the hospital appointment, okay?”
Ludwik grunted, clearly unenthusiastic, and headed out, calling the caretaker as he left. “Make sure
Taryn feeds Danny well, and then get him off to preschool.”
“Taryn, you were right. She’s not my real mommy. She pinches and hits me.”
In the quiet solitude of the caretaker’s room, Daniel confided in Taryn beside his comatose
grandmother’s bed.
Taryn looked at the bruises on Daniel’s arm with a heavy heart. The boy was thin, a precious soul
brought up with great care by Ludwik. Ludwik was good at everything but trusting that woman too
much.
When Daniel was two, Elaine had coaxed him into calling her ‘Mommy.’
Taryn quietly disapproved. By the time Daniel turned three and grew more discerning, Taryn made sure
to remind him of his real mother, Whitney Valentine, not wanting him to forget her.
Plus, Elaine sometimes resorted to underhanded tactics with Daniel, and Taryn would reveal them to
the boy in secret. With his sharp intellect, Daniel caught on quickly.
Chapter 246
“Before, she switched your medicine. When your daddy wasn’t around, she’d give you cold water to
drink, making you sick. We’re under her roof; we have to play by her rules. It took me a long time to
gain your Daddy’s trust and prevent Elaine from firing me. That’s why I’m still here to look after the old
lady. What else has she done to you?”
Daniel pounded a fist on the bed. “She deliberately put me in a regular class with a bully who picks on
me. Stinky Dad has no clue.”
Taryn was furious. “Your father trusts her blindly with your education… He can’t attend to everything. I
feel powerless. It’s been three years, and your grandmother hasn’t woken up. If only your mother were
here. Danny, just hold on a little longer. Your mom said she’d come back with medicine for grandma.
G•
Maybe she’s on her way back right now, and you’ll have your real mommy soon, free from that wicked
woman’s torment.”
Taryn wiped away a tear, feeling a mix of sadness and hope. She never believed the story that Ms.
Valentine had abandoned her son to run away. It had to be Elaine’s doing.
Daniel looked up, his big eyes filled with confusion. Taryn always talked
about his real mother. Could it be true?
Why had his dad never mentioned her, referring only to Elaine as his
mother?
If he truly had a real mom, where was she? Did she even know she had a precious child waiting for
her? Why had she not come to see him?
The little boy’s expression turned cold and dejected.
At the hospital, Whitney arrived early at the HR department to secure a position, but to her surprise, the
director promoted her to Head of Traditional Medicine and even organized a small meeting to welcome
her.
The department heads gathered around her as if she were a zoo
animal.
“I heard she never formally studied at a traditional medical school. Can she handle it? Today’s patient is
quite high–profile.”
“But the director said Dr. Valentine cured an intractable case of epilepsy abroad that couldn’t even be
solved through surgery.”
“With just acupuncture?”
“With just acupuncture.”
“That’s incredible.”
The chatter continued,
Whitney responded with a light smile, “When it comes to the nervous system, acupuncture is quite
miraculous.”
She added concisely, “Director, my schedule is tight. I’m only taking this one case for now. No need to
arrange any outpatient visits.”
Orion had arranged her placement, so the director dared not object, especially since her abilities were
well recognized internationally.
Several notorious neurological cases had been cured by the young woman standing before them, who
looked to be in her early twenties.
“Dr. Valentine, your office is on the second floor to the left.”
The male doctors were mesmerized by Whitney’s appearance, while the female doctors chuckled at
the mention of her office location.
Whitney was puzzled by their reactions until she arrived at her office on the second floor. The large
sign that read “andrology” caused her to crack a wry smile.
Andrology…
It indeed involved a broad range of sensitive nerves.
240
It was not like she had not treated such cases before.
She sighed softly, wearing an expression of professional detachment, and began preparing all the
equipment without the help of an
assistant, given the lucrative fee involved.
Glancing at her watch, it was past nine, and her patient was late. She remembered someone
mentioning that today’s case was not ordinary, likely someone of significance.
They often came with an attitude, probably some pampered heir.
Whitney waited patiently. novelbin
She retreated behind a curtain, tying up her hair, slipping on gloves, and checking the equipment once
more. Then, the door opened.
The slow, deliberate footsteps that entered carried an air of authority and purpose.
With her back to the door, Whitney paused briefly as she felt a powerful presence fill the room.
The masculine scent was overpowering, a chill tinged with something oddly familiar.
F ŏ ≤ 5 5
Whitney furrowed her brows slightly, plugging in the radio, and just as she heard him take a seat
behind the curtain, the man’s elegant fingers snapped a lighter, igniting a cigarette with a crisp sound.
Whitney picked up the medical chart, frowning, “You can’t smoke in here. Please remove your pants,
Mr. Lip…”
Her eyes dropped to the patient’s name on the chart, and she froze, her voice trailing off into silence.
Behind the curtain, the man’s brows knotted just as tightly, his stunning face clouding over with
frustration, “Felix, why is it a female doctor?”
As the words fell, Ludwik savored the woman’s voice he had just heard,
hoarse, with a familiar softness he had not heard in ages. It was a
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Chapter 246
voice that carved itself into the bones, tender and soft.
Suddenly, his face seemed to plummet into an abyss, frozen by an icy wind, each inch chilling to the
bone, cracking open.
Whitney’s trembling hands reached for the curtain, her sealed heart bursting with a myriad of emotions,
barely holding together her lovely face that seemed on the verge of collapse. Her fingers stalled on the
fabric as if lacking the courage to pull it aside.
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Chapter 247
With a snap, the curtain was drawn back, not gently but with a deliberate slowness that came from the
powerful grip of a man’s hand. Ludwik’s gaze locked with the delicate features of the woman before
him, and for a moment, he was stunned. The darkness that had
hovered for a few seconds was quickly replaced by an icy gleam in his eyes, a harbinger of the storm
to come.
Whitney quickly withdrew her hand, which he had unwittingly pressed down. Her cold and alluring eyes
were fixed on his face.
Three years had seemingly only endowed this man with a more mature and handsome presence. His
chiseled features bore the weight of experience, making him even more mysterious and formidable.
But at that moment, Whitney’s legs and throat suddenly flared up with pain so intense it made her scalp
tingle and her lips clench tightly.
Ludwik stared at her, his mind also flashing back to that night–the night this woman abandoned their
son, the night he stood alone in the morgue beside the small, lifeless body of their other child.
Rising suddenly, he seized Whitney by the neck, his towering frame cornering her against a piece of
medical equipment, his anger scorching. “I knew you weren’t dead, you viperous witch! How dare you
show your face to me again? Looking for death?”
o is as I s
His fingers showed no mercy as they tightened.
Whitney coughed swiftly, but a mocking smile bloomed on her lips, her eyes filled with incredulous
irony.
After abandoning her and their child for another woman, he had the audacity to call her a viperous
witch?
A chill ran through her gaze as she deftly countered his grip with a twist
Chapter 247
of her slender neck, escaping his control with ease.
Standing with her back to the desk, her heels pointed dangerously at his vulnerability, she arched an
eyebrow. “Excuse me, sir, but what are you talking about? Do I know you?”
Ludwik’s pupils dilated, his frustration tinged with uncertainty as he
stared at her.
The woman before him, with her delicate features, was unmistakable
even if he were reduced to ashes.
She had grown even more beautiful than three years ago. Her fair skin seemed translucent as if she
had been ill, and her features remained lovely. Her hair had curled, and her eyes had changed
completely.
Before they were cunning and bright, adorable and full of adoration and humility when they looked at
him. They were windows to her love.
Now, those very same eyes seemed empty of his reflection.
A surge of inexplicable annoyance welled up inside him.
He tried to ignore it, reaching up to viciously pinch her chin. “Stop playing games with me. I don’t have
the patience to deal with bitches like you. What’s your new angle after three years? Blackmail?
Extortion? Pretending to be a doctor to seduce me? Felix!”
“Drag her out and give her a proper send–off!” His eyes showed no trace of emotion, filled with
loathing.
Felix pushed the door ajar and, upon seeing Whitney’s face, was struck
with utter shock.
“Madam!”
Whitney strode to the door, slamming it shut with authority.
Turning to face the furious man, she flipped through the medical chart with boredom, “Seduce you? Mr.
Lippert, you flatter yourself. According
to this chart, you’ve been having erectile dysfunction for quite some
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17:10
time, and I doubt I possess such formidable charm.”
Damn it, Whitney had gained a sharp tongue in three years, and she was no longer picky with her
words.
Her eyes, lively yet cold, seemed to lack a heart.
Dressed in a crisp white lab coat, her long hair casually pinned up with a pen, a stray curl brushed
against her charming face.
She stood next to the equipment, facing him, her tall figure imposing as she gestured with a cord.
“Please, take a seat and remove your shirt and your slacks.”
Ludwik’s veins throbbed with fury at her familiar yet indifferent demeanor. He felt as though this woman
was both familiar and a complete stranger to him.
Pressing a hand to his temple, he imperiously made a call, “Who’s running this place? Get them here
now! I want this impostor fired immediately!”
Suddenly, her soft fingers snatched the phone from his hand.
As their skin briefly touched, a jolt of electricity sparked between them, sending a shiver down Ludwik’s
spine and through his limbs. He stiffened, and Whitney tossed the phone onto the desk.
Crossing her arms, she spoke with cool detachment. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lippert, but this hospital belongs to
the Lippert family under the Imperial Gem Corporation. I’m afraid you don’t have the authority to
dismiss me. Didn’t you do your homework before coming in for treatment?”
Ludwik’s brooding eyes narrowed slightly.
This was Orion Lippert’s hospital.
He had not given it much thought; Elaine had insisted he come, so he showed up to appease her.
17:10
His brows twitched as Whitney continued in a strictly professional tone, “Please, sit down and
cooperate with the examination.”
“I’m not sick. What kind of doctor are you, anyway? Get out.”
“I notice your complexion is a bit off, dark circles under your eyes. It seems you’re a bit run down.
What, worn out from three blissful years with Elaine? That’s quite pitiable.”
She leaned against the desk, studying the chart with an air of
indifference.
Ludwik paused mid–smoke, his forehead vein throbbing as he tried to discern any hint of discomfort on
her placid face.
Did she not feel the slightest bit of revulsion saying such things?
Apparently not; she was entirely detached.
Enraged, he advanced, his cigarette–holding hand gripping her waist.
Beneath the lab coat, her waist was as enticingly slender as he
remembered.
His eyes flickered momentarily, and he swallowed hard, repulsed as he grasped her. “Weren’t you
pretending not to recognize me just now? And now you do. Your lies are revolting. I don’t want to
exchange another word with you. Get out. Leave Banyan City, or I’ll make sure you wish you were
dead!”
Whitney could not fathom the depth of hatred in his eyes.
S 20 F
Most likely, since her ‘death‘ was unverified, who knew what Elaine had fed him?
This brainless, worthless man. She told herself she was over it, but recalling everything, her heart still
hurt.
Her hand found his on her waist, her cool gaze sharpening. “Does it really matter whether I recognize
you or not? Much like that last night three years ago when I finally saw you for who you are, Mr.
Lippert.”
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Chapter 24
As her words fell, his grip was twisted by a gentle but firm force, sending him stumbling back.
Ludwik’s eyes narrowed at the woman.
Three years apart, and she had learned some self–defense?
The man gracefully rotated his wrist, his lips curling in contempt. “You’ve got some nerve, biting back
now. That night three years ago, how you treated me, our child, I’ll never forget. Since you’ve returned,
don’t bother leaving. Whitney, I’ll make sure your life is a living hell.”
Using a child to break free, abandoning him–Ludwik’s barren three years would have been unbearable
without his son and Elaine.
Whitney clenched her fists under the table, her resolve hardening against Elaine’s manipulative tactics.
The nerve of that woman!
“And you, you jerk, just wait and see the price you’ll pay for this,” She thought.
Her face was a mask of calm, the cool detachment of a seasoned
doctor. She glanced at the clock. “My consultation fee isn’t exactly pocket change. Are you sure you
want to spend it on a trip down memory lane instead of discussing your treatment?” novelbin
The man’s mature charm barely concealed his darkening mood as he pressed his lips together in a
brooding silence.
Her indifference, laced with a hint of languor, was strangely alluring.
Whitney continued, “Sorry, but my time is precious. If you have a problem with your doctor, you’re free
to find another one. Assistant, please send in my next patient!”
“You have another patient?” Ludwik’s gaze was icy as he remained seated, his tall frame casting a long
shadow.
Whitney’s eyes briefly swept over his crossed legs, the lines of his trousers sharp and immaculate, his
shirt hugging a well–built torso.
Chapter 247
His face was perfection personified, exuding a cold, mature allure.
With a slight smirk, she retorted with indifference, “Of course, the fee of being treated by the head of
andrology doesn’t come cheap. Don’t get in the way of my paycheck, Mr. Lippert.”
The term “head of andrology” seemed to strike a nerve, rolling over Ludwik’s composure like a
steamroller.
He couldn’t quite pinpoint why he felt so irked, but his frustration was palpable as he stood up abruptly,
leaning heavily on her desk, his voice laced with a venomous threat, “You tramp, is that what you
enjoy? Treating men all day?
Let me remind you, Whitney, we haven’t been to the courthouse for a divorce yet. Legally, you’re still
my wife. Don’t embarrass me. If I catch you offering your ‘professional services‘ to any other man, you’ll
regret
it!”
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Chapter 248
Whitney snorted inwardly with contempt.
So he did remember–they had not finalized their divorce three years
ago.
Yet here he was, eager to get engaged to his mistress, having had her committed to a sanatorium and
ultimately playing a part in driving her child and her to the brink!
She suppressed her emotions and gave a casual shrug. “Well, that’s going to be a problem. After all,
I’ve already treated countless men who are utterly inept like you.
You either cooperate with me and drop your pants, or we can keep this up, and the longer it takes, the
more I charge for the consultation.”
Speechless, Ludwik pressed his lips.
She smirked and began writing in the medical record.
Suddenly, the man leaned in close, his breathing heavy as he unbuckled his belt. His elegant fingers
slowly pulled out his shirt, eyeing her while he slid down his trousers, revealing a set of sculpted abs!
This time, it was Whitney’s turn to be taken aback. She had intended to provoke him into leaving.
What was he doing?
== Fès I ŭ S I is us
His face was expressionless, but his movements were undeniably
seductive as his belt hit the floor.
Whitney’s breath hitched, and she bit her lip.
He sneered. His voice, cool and somber, dropped a few octaves. He stood rigidly before her,
approaching the edge of the desk. “Aren’t you supposed to treat me? What are you hiding from? Come
here!”
Whitney stared at the encroaching figure by the desk.
Feeling as if the desk was being sullied, she pointed to a chair, “Sir, please, don’t get excited and sit
over there!”
“I’m not excited.”
Ludwik’s smile held a profound meaning.
Whitney wished she could bite off her own tongue.
Maintaining her composure, she had no choice but to face the
challenge head–on, picking up the electrode pads and moving towards
him.
She attached eight pads to his forehead, chest, and abdomen.
Unaware, her breath brushed close to him, and her hair grazed his chest
several times.
Ludwik remained expressionless, his breathing slightly heavier.
Looking up at her delicate cheeks, flushed with a faint red–perhaps from the air conditioning or her own
discomfort–he locked eyes with her gaze, and he faltered for a moment.
This morning, he had seen a similar pair of aggrieved eyes in miniature
at home.
His son was his spitting image, perfect in every way except for those eyes, so much like this woman’s–
often wide with innocence and brimming with hurt. novelbin
Sometimes, he would wake from dreams he should not have, haunted by those tender eyes.
Infuriating! His blood seemed to rush and churn.
Ludwik’s expression darkened, and he frowned.
As Whitney finished with the electrode pads and turned to adjust the settings, her peripheral vision
caught something unexpected.
Erectile dysfunction? Where?
She had not even started the examination, but he was already…
Suppressing her embarrassment, she asked him professionally, “Are you sure you’re sick?”
“Aren’t you the doctor? Can’t you diagnose?”
Ludwik stared at her defiantly, his surprise mingling with his awkwardness.
For three years, he had not been intimate with Elaine, finding it unbearable, even nauseating, to kiss
her, let alone more. He had begun to think he was just that way with women.
But it was different with Whitney just being near him.
He glared at her, feeling both humiliated and resentful, then glanced at the monitor, “Quack, what
trickery have you used?”
“Don’t panic. This is just a diagnostic device. How was I supposed to know there’s nothing wrong with
you?”
Whitney opened the medical record with an air of importance, raising an eyebrow at him. “And yet
Elaine’s record claims you’ve been unable to consummate your marriage for three years. Seems like
having too big an appetite isn’t always a good thing. Go tell her to take it easy, will you?”
Ludwik, a man of stature, could easily sense the ridicule aimed at both
him and Elaine.
“Foul–mouthed woman, you’re asking for trouble.” He felt as if his dignity had been trampled.
He glared at her with disdain.
Whitney tossed his shirt and trousers back at him, looking up. “This is medical advice. Have you been
prescribed any medication, Mr. Lippert? Because, my words, they are your medicine, understand?”
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Chapter 248
Ludwik hastily dressed, struggling with his belt.
Impatiently, Whitney finished the medical record and turned around. “Why haven’t you left yet?”
“Can’t you see for yourself? Your handiwork!” he retorted gloomily, “How am I supposed to leave like
this?”
She suppressed a smirk, feigning discovery of the problem. “Why blame me? Could it be you have a
thing for your doctor?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m perfectly healthy; I have no illness.”
“No illness? Yet here you are seeking treatment?” Whitney’s lips curled sarcastically, her eyes
narrowing as she glanced at the data. He was excessively healthy. She pondered for a moment,
considering a possibility. “Or is it that you’re exclusively disinterested in your fiancée? Now, that’s
interesting.”
Elaine, for all her calculations, had stumbled.
Ludwik’s face darkened as he cornered Whitney against the wall. “Who gave you the right to gossip
about a patient and his family? Elaine and I are just fine. I love her.
As for you, you’ll be out of a job tomorrow, quack!”
I love her, he said.
Whitney’s gaze flickered, the irony fleeting. She remained indifferent, stepping back, her voice cold and
teasing. “I’m not your beloved. The restroom is to your left, Mr. Lippert. Better hurry. And with that, I’ll
see you at the next consultation.”
Ludwik’s face turned stormy as he pocketed his hands and walked out. “Another consultation? In your
dreams!”
He had to contain the situation, his frustration evident as he called out,
“Felix.”
But as soon as he reached the restroom, his body and emotions
17:10
calmed instantly. He took a deep breath, frowning, and could not help but wonder if it was because that
damned woman was not around him
anymore.
Was her impact on him so significant because she was the only one he had been with? Damn it.
Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes, exhaling smoke, his thoughts lingering on her
transformation, his eyes dark and cold.
Moments later, he descended the stairs, with Felix following closely, curious but afraid to ask.
Finally, Ludwik turned, his voice frosty. “Find out where she’s been hiding these past three years, why
she’s come back to Banyan City, and how she got a job at Orion’s Hospital.”
Felix silently acknowledged, inwardly relieved that Ms. Valentine was back, though he hardly had time
to enjoy the thought before Mr. Lippert issued a virtual death sentence.
“She’s no doctor. Find a way to revoke her license!”
Felix wiped the sweat from his brow.
Mr. Lippert’s animosity towards Ms. Valentine was palpable.
Up in the office, Whitney watched the man leave, her emotions
unreadable.
A chill seemed to envelop her, causing the assistant who was packing up the equipment to shiver.
“Dr. Valentine?” The assistant called out to her, noticing she had been lost in thought for too long.
Whitney snapped back to reality, her grip tightening on the pen in her hand. Weariness edged her voice
as she said, “No more patients left. You can go take a break.”
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Chapter 248
As the door closed behind the assistant, Whitney’s pale face was a mask of cool d
As the door closed behind the assistant, Whitney’s pale face was a mask of cool detachment, but her
mind was alight with various scenarios she had imagined for the day she would see him again. Never
in her wildest dreams had she expected it to be like this.
The moment she laid eyes on Ludwik, she knew – Orion had played a dangerous game.
She pressed her lips, irritation sparking as she grabbed her phone and fired off a text message.
[Orion, what the hell are you playing at?]
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Chapter 249
Over at the other end, the response came quickly. [Seen your patient already?]
[What game are you playing?]
Orion burst into laughter, then replied, [Why do you have to assume the worst about me? Whitney, I
know what you’re back in town for, and I’m helping you out. Think about it. My big brother’s weird
illness, I heard Elaine had seen all the top doctors to no avail. How did your treatment fare today?]
He teased her.
Whitney did not want to recall that scene.
[You just love to stir the pot, don’t you?]
Orion called her directly, clearly in high spirits, speaking with a deep tone, “Whitney, it’s time to repay
the favor from three years ago. You promised me something, and now that you’re back, let’s meet up
and sign that work contract!”
Whitney, of course, knew that a favor from Orion was not something to be taken lightly.
She furrowed her brows and stood up to change her clothes. “I won’t back out of the contract. Where’s
the meeting?”
Orion gave her an address, and Whitney hung up, grabbing her bag and heading out the door.
Being a doctor was just a side gig, but now it seemed like part of Orion’s scheme.
She descended the stairs.
Into the hospital corridor below.
“Ludwik!” A child’s voice, milky yet firm, called out.
Ludwik and Felix had just reached the Bentley when they saw his son, looking Father displeased,
running towards them, accompanied by a bodyguard.
The little one’s delicate features caught the eye of every nurse in the corridor, making them wonder
whose handsome son he could be.
As the nurses caught sight of his father, dashing and imposing, they instantly understood. Murmurs of
envy filled the air.
Ludwik turned, his brow furrowed as he walked back, his face somber. “Why aren’t you at school? Why
did you follow me here?”
“I didn’t follow you. The lunch at preschool was terrible. You cook for me!”
Daniel Lippert, with his backpack slung over his shoulders and arms crossed, looked insolently
Chapter 249
at his father.
Ludwik scooped him up in one arm, heading towards the car with a helpless twist of his brow. “With that
sharp tongue, how do you manage at school?”
“If you don’t cook, I won’t eat. Your choice.” His son was aloof, pushing at his arm, wanting to get
down.
Speechless, Ludwik pressed down on his brow.
Felix quickly tried to smooth things over and chuckled. “Our Danny here is the number one fan of Mr.
Lippert’s cooking. Mr. Lippert, why don’t you indulge him and cook a meal before heading to the
office?”
This gave both Ludwik and Daniel a way out without losing their dignity.
Ludwik remained silent.
The little guy pressed his lips, and when no one was looking, he stole a quick glance at his dad.
When his father looked his way, he stubbornly pouted his small mouth again.
Ludwik’s expression softened, and he reached out to pull him along. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not that hungry. Slow down.” Daniel grumbled.
However, Ludwik was thinking of the callous and heartless woman upstairs. If she saw that he had a
son, knowing her malicious ways, she would only cause trouble.
He would never let Daniel come into contact with such a horrible woman; she was unfit to be a
mother.
Thinking of another son in the graveyard, a chill swept over Ludwik. The little warmth he had felt
upstairs vanished as he placed his son in the car. The door slammed shut, and the vehicle roared
away.
Whitney’s steps halted at the top of the stairs. Had she just heard a young voice calling ‘Ludwik‘?
More importantly, that voice sounded eerily like her own son, Sammy!
After a moment of distraction, she hurried down the stairs, only to see the nurses gazing with glowing
eyes toward the parking lot.
Whitney walked over as if drawn by some force and caught a glimpse of the Bentley.
The car was speeding past her, too fast to see clearly.
In a fleeting moment, she was taken aback. In the rear window, there seemed to be a little boy with a
side profile that resembled Sammy.
Whitney stared at the vanishing car, blinking, unsure if she had imagined it. Her heart felt an
inexplicable pang, and she clutched at her clothing, taking a deep breath, her brows knit together.
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Chapter 249
Was that Bentley Ludwik’s? The license plate was different from three years ago.
That child in the car…
Had she seen wrong?
Feeling uneasy, she returned to the corridor and immediately pulled out her phone to make an
international video call. She wanted to see her son.
The call connected quickly, and Yael’s voice came through, “Whitney, it’s daytime over there. right?
Why are you calling at this time?”
“Where’s Sammy?”
“Wow, Mommy, you remember you have a treasure like me? You sneaked back to the country and novelbin
didn’t even tell me; I’m a bit upset, you know.”
Sammy’s warm voice came through, and although he claimed to be upset, his eyes curved into a smile
that was strikingly similar to that man’s.
Exquisitely beautiful, it was hard to imagine how many hearts he would break when he grew up.
Whitney, somewhat helplessly, tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I took on a patient and had to come
back for a while.”
“You didn’t go back to get revenge on that scumbag dad, did you? That patient isn’t him, is it?” Sammy
joked calmly.
Whitney looked incredulously at his little face.
The kid must be just talking nonsense, right? How could he be so spot–on?
Seeing the change in his mother’s eyes, Sammy shifted his gaze slyly. “I’m kidding. Didn’t my dad die a
long time ago? You said he was struck by lightning for all his bad deeds.”
“Erm, yeah, struck dead long ago. Once I’m done with this busy period, I’ll bring you back. It’s not
stable here yet, so be good, okay?”
Sammy, of course, knew what his mother meant by unstable.
He pretended to be harmless and smiled. “I’m Mommy’s good boy. I won’t cause you any
trouble.”
Then, he turned and planted a kiss on Yael, “Auntie, I’m heading back to my room for a nap!”
Once in his room, the little guy pulled out a modified laptop from under the bed and calmly booked the
soonest flight.
He also contacted some local hacker friends. The three–and–a–half–year–old’s eyes glinted with
cunning intelligence.
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After hanging up the call, Whitney sighed.
Her Sammy was safe and sound abroad. The fleeting glimpse in the car must have been her
imagination.
If there really was a child, it was probably Elaine’s, as Bryce’s gossip suggested.
Was he not supposedly infertile? Maybe they used IVF.
Whitney cut off her train of thought. She had already given up; why dwell on these things?
A chill edged her smile as she tugged at her mouth, got into her car, and drove towards the destination
Orion had mentioned.
…
In the Bentley, in the backseat, the little boy kept his gaze out the window.
Ludwik, having finished his paperwork, looked up, his brow creased. “What’s so interesting out there
that you keep staring? It’s cold outside. You’ll catch a cold, you know?”
“You sound like an old man, you know that?” Daniel retorted.
If it were not for the fact that the kid looked as if he were on death’s door, Ludwik would have knocked
him one already.
Daniel turned his head, his bright eyes blinked, revealing a long fringe of lashes as he bit his lip and
said, “Right after the car pulled out, there was this woman standing behind us, just staring at me!”
Ludwik paused for a moment, his gaze sharpening.
Suddenly, Daniel asked, “Is that woman…*
“Nobody!” His tone was icy as he hoisted his son up, making him look straight ahead. “The world’s full
of kidnappers, kid! The prettier they are, the meaner they get. Always remember, keep your distance
from those types!”
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Chapter 250
“Come on, how did you know she was pretty before I even mentioned it?”
There was an awkward silence before Daniel, resting an elbow on the bar, rolled his eyes. “You think
I’m a gullible three–year–old kid, huh? A kidnapper, my foot. That was clearly a nurse with a crush on
you!”
Ludwik’s lips twitched, and he shot Daniel a side–eye without a word, casually adjusting his tie.
Felix knew that Mr. Lippert fiddling with his tie was a sign he was relaxed. Daniel, the little goof, had not
even suspected that the ‘kidnapper‘ was his mom.
With a chuckle, Felix teased, “Danny, did you forget you’re actually three and a half and easy to fool?”
Daniel’s mature composure took a hit. His chin jutted out in both embarrassment and defiance at the
jab about his age.
For some reason, Ludwik sneezed repeatedly.
Daniel glanced over, showing slight concern with an indifferent tone, “Roll up the car window for him,
will ya? The old man’s getting weaker by the day.”
Felix shivered, thinking, “Danny, your dad just got back from an andrology check–up with your mom.
He’s pretty sensitive to the word ‘weak‘.”
Sure enough, Ludwik’s face darkened, and he gave Daniel a sharp look. “You’re awfully chatty today. Want me to throw you overboard?”
Daniel clamped his mouth shut reluctantly.
He sensed his old man was weighed down by worries today and not in high spirits. The sneezing had
to be because someone was bad–mouthing him, right? He wanted to cheer him
1. up.
Clearly, the father–son duo was having a tense day, and his attempts to lighten the mood were not
effective.
Daniel huffed in frustration.
Whitney parked her car, her phone buzzing with a new message.
It was from Tiana. [Whitney?]
She had called Tiana the night before using a new number, as her old number had been terminated
three years ago. Was that why Tiana was too scared to pick up?
Whitney felt an inexplicable surge of emotion and bit her lip as she read the message over and over.
Tiana’s tone seemed so casual. But could she really be unaffected by everything?
Chapter 250
Whitney sniffled, ignoring another pressing call from Orion.
She replied with a tremor in her fingers. [It’s me, Tiana. I’m back, and I need to see you today.]
Then, she tucked her phone into her purse and walked with furrowed brows into the restaurant’s private
dining room.
Orion lounged in his chair, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the woman walking in.
He gave her a once–over and whistled. “Looking good, I see. Who knew you’d be such a knockout
when not pregnant? My dive into the ocean three years ago to pull you aboard was worth it.”
“Keep your sleazy eyes to yourself, Orion.”
Whitney sat down with a cool detachment.
It was almost comical how she had jumped into the sea with Sammy in her arms, only for Orion to be
out fishing on a yacht in Sea Bay at the same time. She had struggled in the cold waves for hours, and
he probably saw her much earlier but only chose to rescue her when she was at death’s door.
When she woke up, she immediately asked why he had bothered to save her at all.
Orion had laughed with his crooked smile, revealing a long–term plan. “Keeping you alive to use
against Ludwik someday? That’s the sweetest deal ever.”
Twisted, but true.
Since Whitney’s return to the country, she had found that the Imperial Gem Corporation’s market value
had plummeted by billions.
In three years, Ludwik had driven the Lippert family to desperation. The massive corporation Orion had
stolen from him had become the laughingstock of Banyan City. Orion was barely hanging on; without a
new plan, he was headed for certain doom.
Now, Orion eyed his lifeline and slid a contract across the table. “Join Imperial Gem as a jewelry
designer. The pay’s great; just follow my orders to snatch deals, and we’re golden.”
Whitney was not naive and scoffed. “So you want me as a human target? Just by sitting in Imperial
Gem, I could ruffle some feathers, right?”
“Smart girl. Why spell it out when you know the score? Don’t you want to crush Ludwik with your own
hands?”
Orion smirked. “You have no choice. I saved your life three years ago, and this is your chance for
payback. Ready to join me in gutting their empire?”
Whitney’s eyes narrowed; his blatant manipulation was no secret.
But why should she not play along?
First, she could not refuse the offer. Second, she had returned with a desire to unsettle certain
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Chapter 250
people, and this would be her platform to achieve just that.
A wry smile played on her lips as she signed the contract without hesitation.
Orion’s surprise turned into a boisterous laugh. He leaned in, his gesture intimate as he lifted her chin.
“I never realized you hated him so deeply. How about marrying me instead? I must admit, my brother
had an eye for stunning women; you’re practically glowing.”
Whitney jabbed his hand away with her pen, her disgust unhidden. “I have zero interest in you. And I
haven’t forgotten how you wronged my uncle.”
“Boring.” Orion retracted his hand and settled back into his seat.
Whitney’s lips twitched. Orion was indeed rotten to the core and oddly eccentric. He was, however, not
cut out for business, or he would not have fallen so hard in three years.
It wasn’t clear how much he cared for Imperial Gem, but his rakish, cavalier attitude was evident.
Curiosity piqued, Whitney asked, “Why do you hate him so much? Why go after him like this?”
Orion’s eyes narrowed in resignation, “Who wouldn’t want to be the carefree heir to a fortune? But the
old man didn’t like him, didn’t want him as his successor. So I had to step up, had to make something
of myself, beat him just once, right?
But fuck, I’ve never won a single round. He’s been mired in mud since childhood while I’ve lived in
luxury, yet the family elders only see his worth!”
Whitney blinked, taken aback. “Why didn’t your dad like him? Isn’t he his son too?”
Orion paused, a twisted smile forming. “Rumor has it Natalie wasn’t exactly faithful when she married
my dad. Ludwik’s parentage has always been in question. The old man and Natalie had a terrible
relationship, so naturally, he resented Ludwik by association. Guess who benefited? Me and my mom.”
His schadenfreude was palpable, making Whitney frown.
Natalie’s name tightened something in Whitney’s chest.
But the Lippert family drama, that man’s issues, were no longer her concern.
Why should she even care?
She returned to the matter at hand with a nonchalant air, saying, “I’m willing to work at the Imperial
Gem Corporation and take on any tasks you throw my way. But I have my terms. Skye Gem Ltd.–I
want to buy it back privately, and you’re going to have to pay through the nose for that.”
“Damn, do you have to be so cutthroat?” Orion shot her a disdainful look. “Isn’t Bryce wrapped around
your little finger? Why not have him foot the bill?”
“You just said I’m cutthroat, didn’t you? That’s only against you.” Whitney replied with a casual lift of her
lips.
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Orion’s face turned a shade of green, but then a sly smile crept across his face. “Isn’t the auction for
Skye Gem Ltd.’s assets tomorrow night? Sure, be my date, and I’ll bleed some cash for you.”
Whitney detected the mischief in his tone–this man was up to no good.
She did not refuse, simply picking up the contract and sliding it into her purse. “Then send the evening
gown to my apartment.”
A few steps towards the door, she turned back. “Oh, and Ludwik’s refusing to have me as his doctor.
He’s likely going to try to revoke my medical license. You’ll need to find a way to protect it.”
Orion chuckled, his interest piqued as he watched her. “Doctor or no doctor isn’t the point. The real
question is, can you reignite his passion?”
Whitney frowned.
Orion stepped closer, his voice laced with innuendo. “Isn’t your uncle facing the death penalty? If I were
you, I’d make Ludwik fall for you again, achieve your goals, infuriate Elaine, and then ditch him hard.
Let them taste the despair you’ve endured!”
Whitney paused, her gaze flickering. “Spare me your rotten ideas. I’m not selling myself out; forget it.”
Orion shrugged it off. “You seem a bit tempted. When you hit a wall, you’ll see it’s a good idea.”
He continued, “Remember when you had me stage those two bodies by the seaside to throw Elaine off
your trail? She bought the whole story. She probably doesn’t even know you’re back. What kind of
surprise are you planning for her?”
The mention of that woman made Whitney’s fist clench. A cold curve formed on her lips.
“It’ll have to be a big surprise.”
She and Elaine would be meeting soon enough.
