Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 183

She stormed out of the room slamming the door behind her, but as soon as she stepped outside, she

transformed like a pentle butterfly ascending into Ludwik’s Bentley

Together, they drove off tenderly, and Elaine reclaimed her place by his side as an equal

Whitney stood alone in the living room, surrounded by disarray, feeling the weight of solitude. The real

torment, she knew had only just begun

She went to the backyard to clean the mop

“Valentine, let me give you a hand. Taryn offered, casting a sympathetic glance her way she had

witnessed the entire spectacle Elaine had made earlier

Shaking her head. Taryn confided. If it weren’t for the kidney Elaine donated to Natalie, Ed say her

actions earlier were outright nasty. Natalie never liked her, and it seems there was good reason for

that.”

Whitney fet a sense of relief. Taryn was finally seeing a bit of Elaine’s true colors. “Just be careful

around her, Taryn. That’s all I ask

It wasn’t until noon that they finished tidying the living room.

Taryn turned on the TV and cranked up the volume. The screen was filled with breaking financial news.

The annual Corporate Summit in Banyan City was set to take place that evening at the Oceanus Hotel,

an event where every listed company would be vying for an invitation

The summit was prestigious, almost an exclusive social circle for the elite families and top–tier

businesses.

The news highlighted Orion, the rising star at the helm of Imperial Gem Corporation, who was expected

to shine in the business world that night.

Another bombshell was the emergence of Skyfaith Electronic Tech, with rumors that its mysterious

CEO would

make an appearance at the summit.

Suddenly, these two new power players were the talk of the town.

Whitney had little concern for Skyfaith Electronic Tech; her mind was consumed with Orion’s power

grab

The summit was of utmost importance, and she wondered if Ludwik would attend. Would he stand

alone and

vulnerable in the midst of this crucial event?

She had wanted to ask him about his plans and where he had been all week this morning.

But he had left in a hurry with Elaine, leaving her with her worries.

Whitney was genuinely concerned about his current situation.

By four in the afternoon, he still hadn’t returned.

She had no choice but to call him, he needed to take his medication on time.

After several attempts, each call was promptly disconnected

The last one was picked up by Elaine, who answered with a lazy drawl, “Stop calling. Ludwik’s phone is

with me. He’s asked me to handle all his private affairs!”

Whitney clenched her fist, took a deep breath, and said firmly. “It’s time for his medication. You know

the consequences if he misses a dose.”

“He’s busy. Bring the medicine to Oceanus Hotel.” Elaine deliberately hung up after her command! She

glanced at the summit room where Ludwik was busy, her eyes narrowing with a cold smirk.

Summoning Jaxon, she instructed, “Whitney will be coming to the Oceanus Hotel tonight. Skye Gem

Ltd, is in trouble, right? Valerie and Tiana are keeping Whitney in the dark. Find a way to sneak Skye

Gem Ltd’s

manager into the summit, and spread the word that Whitney will be there.”

Jaxon looked puzzled “Elaine, I’m not quite sure what you’re up to.”

Elaine wanted Whitney at the hotel for two reasons: to flaunt her victory and to humiliate her on a grand

stage. Her eyes glinted with malice as she plotted, “You’ll see when the time comes.”

Realizing Ludwik would be at the summit upon Elaine’s instruction to deliver the medicine to the

Oceanus Hotel, Whitney considered his intentions.

Was he aiming for one last stand? But businessmen chase profit, and now that he was down on his

luck, they would only mock him, not offer him any opportunities.

Would he clash with Orion?

She worried for him and resolved to go, both to deliver his medicine and to watch over him. If he lost

control, she’d be there to save him.

The requirement to entry for the summit was high, and without an invitation, Whitney had to resort to

calling Tiana.

Tiana spoke excitedly. “I want to go too, especially since I heard that the elusive CEO of Skyfaith

Electronic Tech will be making an appearance. I’m really curious to see who this mysterious figure is!

But I don’t have an invitation. Valerie is probably going to attend with Ashton. Whitney, why are you

going there? Don’t rush about the Skye Gem Ltd. issue

Whitney managed a bitter smile. Tonight, Skye Gem Ltd. was the least of her concerns. “Ludwik will be

there, and I’m worried about him. He’s lost everything.”

“You and your soft heart. Just yesterday, you were happy he wanted to see you, and then you cried

about not returning to the hospital. What happened? Are you staying at Ludwik’s place?”

“Yes,” Whitney admitted, not wanting to burden her friend with her troubles, “I’ll call Valerie.”

Tiana’s response was cut off as Whitney quickly ended the call.

Valerie confirmed she had an invitation but couldn’t bring a plus–one. She asked Whitney to wait

outside the hotel.

At six o’clock in the evening, the Oceanus Hotel was the epitome of luxury, the summit yet to begin.

Valerie stepped out of the banquet hall, intending to inform Ashton of her departure – not that he cared

about her whereabouts, given the distance between them.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Ashton and Elaine in an intimate conversation in the rooftop

garden.

Valerie’s interest peaked, and she stealthily eavesdropped from behind a door.

Elaine’s brows arched delicately, her voice soft and teasing, “Ashton, Ludwik and I are getting

engaged!” “What?” Ashton’s frame tensed at the news.

Elaine looked at Ashton before her, stepping closer to straighten his tie, playfully chiding. “What’s the

matter? Can’t stand the thought?”

“No, it’s not that. I just didn’t expect it to happen so fast,” he managed a hollow laugh.

But Valerie, hidden behind the door, could see the pain etched on his profile.

A sting of jealousy hit his heart.

Elaine’s lips curled into a sweet smile, “I’m kidding! After all these years with Ludwik, we’re finally

getting our happy ending. I’ll always remember your kindness, Ashton. And you, try to be a little nicer to

Valerie. She may

have been spoiled growing up, and perhaps she’s been influenced by Whitney of late, but she’s not a

bad

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person at heart.”

“Enough already,” Ashton grumbled with a hint of irritation, “Don’t make excuses for her. I know you’re

not exactly a saint. Whitney could harm Natalie, and that she’d get involved with Whitney? That alone

will ensure I’ll never see her in a new light”

Valerie shook her head, while a cold sneer played at the corners of her mouth

Elaine could play the innocent all she wanted. And Ashton, that poor fool, bought into it hook, line, and

sinker. treating her like some kind of Madonna.

Valerie was both angry and numb to it all.

“So, did Ludwik and Whitney split up?” Ashton inquired.

Elaine glanced around to notice several passersby merchants

With deliberate loudness and a feigned helplessness in her voice, she replied, “Ludwik has already

signed the divorce papers with Whitney. How could he stand by after what she did to him?”

“Any man would leave in his shoes! Ashton exclaimed, his voice rising with indignation, drawing the

gaze of onlookers

Elaine glanced around, feigning concern, “We shouldn’t gossip about Ludwik’s private life. I better go

find him.” “Sure, you do that,” Ashton said, standing his ground.

Out of the corner of her eye, Elaine spotted Valerie hiding behind the door, and her lips curled into a sly

smile. Taking a turn, she approached a secluded corner near the banquet hall and whispered to Jaxon,

“Whitney is about to make her entrance. Start spreading the word about Mr. Lippert and Whitney’s

divorce!”

Jaxon caught on quickly to Elaine’s scheme, a knowing smile appeared on his face as he nodded

Meanwhile, Valerie stepped out from her hiding spot

Upon seeing her, Ashton’s face darkened instantly, “Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with

Elaine?”

Chapter 184