Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 208

The PR manager glanced surreptitiously at Elaine, then, pointing an accusatory finger at Whitney,

fumed, “Ever since that video of Ms. Valentine and the big shot CEO of Lutz Group came out, Skyfaith

was inevitably thrust into the media spotlight. Mr. Lippert, your reputation is critical, especially since the

company’s recent high–profile debut. Your wife’s cheating scandal is bound to affect Skyfaith’s stock

prices, and that’s just not worth it.”

Ludwik’s gaze shifted their way.

The PR manager then shot Elaine a quick, “And with Elaine attending the summit as your partner, the

public’s been speculating about her role. The gossip about you, Elaine and Ms. Valentine is all over the

place and it’s affecting Elaine’s good name too.”

Ludwik looked towards Elaine, a self–mocking glint in his eyes.

How foolish had he been to forsake a woman who actually cared about him in favor of forgiving

Whitney?

And now, truth to be turned out that Whitney and Bryce had already

been intimate!

The thought of having considered forgiving her in front of his own mother that morning, the internal tug–

of–war of his conscience made him feel utterly ridiculous.

How pathetic was he!

His heart felt as though it had been scraped clean by a knife, leaving

not a shred of tenderness.

What was there to love about such a despicable woman?

He pulled Elaine close, gripping her hand tightly, “Elaine’s reputation will not suffer on my account. Go

ahead with your strategy.”

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“The best PR move right now would be for you and Ms. Valentine to sign those divorce papers post–

haste, and push the civil office to backdate it before the 28th. Once the public knows you two are long

divorced, her dirty laundry won’t be your concern. At the same time, we’ll play up your engagement to

Elaine to distract the public and give Skyfaith a different headline.”

Whitney curled up on the floor, fists clenched.

Hearing this, she began to have her suspicions about the source of the video. She glared at Elaine with

venom.

Elaine’s peripheral vision caught Whitney’s scowl and returned it with a cold, triumphant sneer.

She said gently, “Ludwik, don’t worry about me. My reputation can take the hit, but Skyfaith is your

business empire that you built from the ground up. I can’t bear to see it suffer.”

Ludwik motioned with his hand, “Lawyer, bring the divorce papers. What are we waiting for?”

Elaine was momentarily taken aback, then a sly smile curled at the corner of her mouth. She had

orchestrated this whole scene to force Ludwik’s hand, to make him sign the divorce papers quickly!

The lawyer promptly presented two sets of divorce papers.

Ludwik tossed them at the woman crumpled on the floor, not sparing her another glance as if even

looking at her was revolting.

His lips turned a cold, cutting sneer, “Sign it, take your things, and get out. Don’t dirty my floors. You’re

nothing but trash, and I’ll be damned if I spare you another glance in this lifetime.”

Words couldn’t cut deeper than that.

This lifetime without another glance.

Whitney’s laugh was slow and pained, tears streaming down her face

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as she breathed in sharply.

With trembling hands, she completed the signing, murmuring not for him to hear, but as a bitter

soliloquy, “I stayed to look after you, thinking you were down and out, wanting to help you rise again.

But clearly, you don’t need it. I’m relieved then. Let’s part ways, once and for all.”

Ludwik paused sharply.

–

Parting ways those words stabbed straight into his heart, blurring his

vision.

Whitney set down the pen. Clutching her chest, she pleaded humbly, “Just my cousin, you promised to

let her go.”

Ludwik let out a mocking laugh, filled with scorn.

“Well, consider it a condition of our divorce. Felix, throw her out. The thought of having touched her

makes me sick!”

Whitney clenched her fists tightly.

Ludwik stormed upstairs, his eyes bloodshot with rage, while Elaine, satisfaction plain on her face,

followed closely behind.

“Ludwik, your hands are shaking again…”

Elaine caught up to him, concern in her eyes as she produced an acupuncture kit, “Let me give you a

treatment, help you rest properly.”

“Elaine, thank you.” Ludwik looked at her, weary, a self–deprecating smile playing on his lips, “After all

is said and done, you’re the one who truly cares about me.”

Elaine froze, then her eyes, still holding a trace of nervousness, met his. Seeing him so vulnerable like

a child, she allowed herself to smile triumphantly. She knew any doubts Ludwik had about her were

now on the back burner she was his sole comfort now.

divo wa

With the signed divorce papers, Whitney was out of chances.

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Elaine’s eyes flicked, a plan forming as she looked deeply at Ludwik.

Moving behind him, she dipped the needle in a sedative and inserted it into a point at the base of his

skull.

Soon, Ludwik was deep in slumber.

Elaine secured the doors and windows, then pulled out her phone to record a video, a sly smile

spreading across her face.

“Ludwik, your kisses hurt so much…”

As moans and groans of intimacy wafted downstairs, Whitney stiffened.

The PR team was still lingering below. They exchanged glances, their expressions varied as they

looked upstairs.

The sounds of passion echoed through the house.

With a hard look in his eyes, Felix dismissed the managers, “What are you looking at? Get out of here.”

After the managers filed out, Felix gave Whitney a complicated look, helping her up with a sigh, “Ms.

Valentine, Mr. Lippert is just heated. Besides, given the situation, you should understand his

impulsiveness. He might be out of control.”

Whitney’s face was ashen as the noises upstairs continued unabated.

She knew Ludwik well enough to recognize what was happening above. It wasn’t just kissing the

sounds were of real intimacy.

–

A piercing migraine stabbed through her head, each pulse making it harder to catch her breath.

Clutching at her shattered heart, Whitney thought bitterly how he had unceremoniously ripped away

their last chance at reconciliation.

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All that was left between them was a cold distance.

She attempted a strained smile, “Don’t worry, Felix. I’ve already signed the divorce papers. He’s free

now.”

She tried to stay composed, but her body was shaking, and tears breached her eyes like a dam giving

way to an ocean.

Felix let out a heavy sigh, the helpless tone in his voice unmistakable, “Mr. Lippert insists that you leave

as soon as possible. Please, just go.” “I will,” she muttered, the words tasting bitter. “Why stay and

further humiliate myself?”

Whitney forced a smirk, struggling to her feet. She dialed her friend Tiana, asking for a ride.

Her gaze swept over the mansion one last time.

G

This was it the final goodbye to what was once their sanctuary of love, where every nook and cranny

bore the imprints of their shared

memories.

She had been delusional to think that by staying, she could win him back and earn his forgiveness.

–

But she had forgotten one thing a shattered mirror can never be made whole again.

And love was no different it couldn’t withstand the turbulence of passion and resentment, nor survive

the misinterpretations and

schemes.

With a hollow gaze, Whitney withdrew a packet of pills and handed them to Felix, her voice hoarse with

a dire warning, “These are for his panic attacks. Please make sure he takes them regularly. And be

careful, don’t let Elaine get her hands on them. If anything happens to him, I hope you’ll contact me

discreetly.”

Felix took the packet, exhaling a weary breath, “Ms. Valentine, it’s clear

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you still can’t bear to leave Mr. Lippert.”

“I know…” Whitney suddenly covered her mouth, fighting back the tears with all her might.

Down the winding road, a car approached. She knew Tiana had come.