Love Beyond the Mask

Chapter 101

Elaine could do no wrong. To L she was the epitome of innocence and kindness, a modern–day saint

draped in designer threads.

“And me,

I am 17 Petty, huh?” Whitney thought.

Her eyes brimmed with icy frustration, a flicker of rage igniting within. She scoffed. “So, you’re blaming

me all for her sale?”

“Im just being fair and objective,” the man retorted, his brows knotted in discomfort. Seeing her on the

verge of tears, a sliver of softness crept into his heart.

But the next moment, Whitney’s disillusionment erupted as she pointed an accusatory finger at him.

“You, with all your smarts, are nothing but a blockhead. Do you even know the hostility your precious

Elaine harbors against me? Run along, then. Go to her, your darling sister!”

“Say that again? You have absolutely no decency, yet you accuse me and Elaine? It seems I’ve been

too lenient to you for too long!”

In a swift motion, the man captured her slender wrist, his grip firm against the door frame, his fury

painting her milky skin with shades of crimson.

Tears welled up in Whitney’s eyes; never had she been so insulted.

She wrenched free from his grasp, her voice laced with bitter sarcasm, “So, you’ve decided I’m a

tramp? Even though there’s nothing between Bryce, Simon, and me, you’re ever so convinced I’m the

problem, no doubt with a nudge from Elaine. Paranoid, much?”

“Are you not? I’ve seen it with my own eyes! And at the Lotus Clubhouse, Elaine spoke up for you. You

really don’t know what’s good for you.”

So, he had also been at the Lotus Clubhouse with Elaine by his side. Was it all a setup?

S

He did not trust her and even tracked her movements at work. Since he had already judged her, what

was there left to say?

“Yes, Elaine is always right, and I’m the loose woman, happy now?” Whitney’s heart turned ice–cold;

she had no more words to waste.

She stormed out of his embrace, the embrace that once offered warmth, now just a cold memory.

Elaine watched Whitney storm off in the shadows, a sly smile curling her lips.

She had not gone far when Ludwik appeared, his gaze dark and mysterious.

That feeling sent a shiver down Elaine’s spine.

His eyes were as cold as blades, “I asked you to recommend vendors to her. Why did you hide that it

was my idea?”

Elaine had anticipated Whitney’s counterattack and had her defenses ready.

Feigning surprise and hurt, she responded, “Bro, maybe Whitney misunderstood? I never meant to

hide your kindness. I just thought she might mind if you interfered on her behalf, so I didn’t stress that

part. I guess she doesn’t like me, and that’s why she rejected my offer. It’s all my fault, isn’t it?”

Ludwik cornered her against the wall, his icy presence almost choking her, “Nobody plays me. And if Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

you’re playing me, you better not touch her. Got it?”

A chill ran down Elaine’s spine; her

yes reddened in feigned hurt, “Did my foolishness cause a misunderstanding between you two? I’ll go

clear things up with Whitney!”

“No need. Stay away from her from now on,” Ludwik commanded, still trusting Elaine’s explanation.

Whitney’s hostility towards Elaine seemed deep–rooted. If she had not known his intentions and gone

to Bryce for the raw materials…

Ludwik’s anger was palpable. However, he could not put down his pride and face her after the harsh

words they had exchanged.

As Elaine walked away, her fingers curled into a tight fist. Despite their heated argument, Whitney’s

explanation had swayed him. His heart softened once again for that woman.

Unacceptable.

Ludwik’s suspicions were rising. He warned her to keep her distance from Whitney. Thus, tonight,

something had to happen to Whitney! Something that would utterly disappoint Ludwik.

A cruel gleam flickered in Elaine’s eyes as she quickly sought out Hannah.

Hannah was fuming over a ruined designer gown stained with juice, thanks to Whitney. She could not

stand the thought of Whitney not being ousted from the dinner party, especially when Bro could not

spare her a second glance.

“Hannah…” Elaine’s voice called out.

Hannah hurried to a secluded column, where Elaine feigned concern and said, “You weren’t hurt, were

you? Whitney was out of line tonight. I couldn’t stand watching her antics, but Bro indulges her, and you

suffer for

it.”

IS= IO

Her words struck a nerve, and Hannah’s eyes reddened with rage. “Elaine, she flaunts her beauty,

even Bryce protects her. Doesn’t Bro see it? I wish Bro could see through her deceit. It infuriates me to

see him fooled by her!”

Elaine hesitated for a moment before hitting the mark. “Whitney’s probably just networking with all the

wealthy businessmen here tonight. But I saw her with Mr. Wendt in the garden earlier. We can’t let Bro

find out. If there’s any hint of flirtation, it could ruin everything.”

Hannah’s eyes lit up with malice. “You just reminded me, Elaine. She’s never been chaste. If she’s

seducing Mr. Wendt, wouldn’t that be typical? Hmph.”

Elaine did not miss the foolish, scheming glint in her eyes. Hannah, now consumed by hatred for

Whitney, would stop at nothing.

Hannah asked eagerly, “Where is Whitney now?”

Pretending ignorance, Elaine replied, “She just left the lounge. Is there something you need?”

“Just wait for the show, Elaine,” Hannah smirked before darting away.

Elaine folded her arms, malicious smile playing on her lips. Everything was falling into place. She could

not wait for Whitney’s downfall tonight. After all that humiliation, would Ludwik still want her?

Whitney stumbled out of the banquet hall, a daze clouding her vision as a tear secretly escaped, only to

be crisply chilled by the biting wind.

At that moment, the man inside felt like a stranger to her.

He had trusted Elaine over her, not even giving her a chance to explain. Did he genuinely believe she

was some sort of social climber, using her body as a tool for business?

His paranoia and sudden outbursts were becoming frightening.

When she first met him, she was struck by his poised maturity and unyielding strength. But as they

grew closer, she felt suffocated by his possessiveness and dominance, his mood swings now as

unpredictable as the weather.

Lost in thought, Whitney questioned her feelings. Yes, she liked him, but was being with him the right

choice?

15-18

Were they even compatible?

“Whitney?” The suave and debonair Nolan approached, having just arrived.

He had come upon hearing that Whitney would attend the party.

Ludwik, that man devoid of emotional intelligence, had the gall to bring Elaine as his date. Any hope

Whitney had of reconciliation now seemed dashed.

“Were you leaving?” Nolan’s voice broke through her reverie as he noticed her glistening eyes.

Whitney looked at Nolan blankly before asking in a frosty tone, “Can I ask you something? Elaine, is

she really L’s sister?”

She had asked L the same question twice, and his affirmation had not wavered, but Elaine’s hostility

sowed seeds of doubt in Whitney’s mind.

Nolan was taken aback. How could Elaine be Ludwik’s sister? She was, in reality, Ludwik’s…