Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 857

"Did I say something wrong? Did it remind you of something?"

His voice grew more enticingly husky, his gaze wickedly smoldering as it swept over her.

Images of that chaotic night a few days ago flashed uncontrollably through Whitney's mind, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, her fingers trembling and curling as she snorted, "Are you referring to those moments of displeasure and helplessness you had?"

Ludwik's powerful legs nearly slammed down on the accelerator in response.

His handsome face darkened instantly.

With dangerously pursed lips, Ludwik warned, "Whitney, I'm still in recovery. Don't give up on me. That night was exceptional for you, and even the strongest of men might have been drained by you."

"Shut up." Why did he have to so blatantly bring up that night?

Whitney could hardly hold back, covering half of her blushing face with her hand, gritting her teeth, "You have no right to talk about me like that, especially knowing how powerful Bryce's concoction was..."

"Sorry, I know." His frown softened into a low, teasing grin, "But you started it. You can't deny that despite a few discomforts, I did pretty well that night. Forgive a man who's healing. Baby, it'll get better soon, and then maybe we can try again..."

"Ludwik! Watch the road!"

As the car filled with an awkward tension, Whitney, flustered, quickly changed the subject, pointing ahead.

She was embarrassed.

Ludwik secretly smirked, amused by how someone who was already a mother could still react like a shy girl.

However, he didn't want to smooth-talk his way into making her think his intentions were purely for intimacy. He wanted to win her back, purely.

"Baby, stop mocking my prowess, and we'll be fine, okay? Otherwise, you might not be able to handle it if I get rough."

Ludwik shamelessly quirked an eyebrow, his warning delivered with mock solemnity.

Whitney was speechless. If he weren't so handsome, she'd have kicked him out of the car by now.

"Can't even take a joke..."

"Excuse me?!"

Whitney silently turned her gaze to the window, shifting the topic, "Bryce was outmaneuvered by you, forced to pull back from the construction site. He won't let go of that $30 billion easily. I heard Fortu-Nova Bank is pressing him hard for repayments. Do you think he'll turn to Wade for help? You said he's Wade's lapdog, holding many secrets of the Patrick Group. If Wade felt threatened and lent him money..."

Worry crept into her features.

Ludwik remained unfazed, squeezing her slightly cold hand reassuringly, "Don't worry. Bryce has got you on edge lately. Think about it, when the rabbit dies, the dog is cooked. Wade would never help Bryce now, I'm certain of it."

Whitney looked at his chiseled profile, "How can you be so sure?"

Ludwik's lips curved in a calm smile, "Ashton Fuller found out that Wade, through collaborations with the Inko Group, signed several deals with arms dealers in the Middle East. Now, with the products faulty and unable to hit the market, those dealers demand compensation from the Patrick Group for massive breach fees. Wade won't pay anyone but can't afford not to pay the arms dealers. He's too busy dealing with his own problems to bother with Bryce. Let these two dogs bite each other, tearing each other apart would save me the trouble of doing it myself."

Admiring the cunning arc of his lips, Whitney shivered slightly.

He had everything so thoroughly planned out, holding all the cards.