Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 224

On February 20th, Elaine and Ludwik’s engagement party went ahead as scheduled.

It was an event of unprecedented grandeur. Flicking through the channels on Banyan City TV, every news program was giving way to live coverage of the lavish engagement at Joyful Manor.

The blinding flash of paparazzi cameras pierced through the television screen and into Whitney’s eyes as she stood motionless in her apartment. She was not surprised, nor was she particularly upset; she just felt as though a huge chunk had been carved out of her heart.

Today, it was finally official; he was with her. The dust had settled, and they had each gone their separate ways.

Tomorrow, it was her turn to get engaged!

Ironically, and somewhat messily, that was how things ended between them.

Whitney blinked hard to clear the mist from her eyes, consoling herself with the thought that the harsh words he had said that day in the bridal shop–about making her pay–surely did not count now.

Since he had chosen to get engaged and was so enamored with Elaine, his heart had clearly moved on from Whitney long ago.

After the engagement, he would accept their fate, wishing her well from afar.

Her heart, tense for days, let out a faint sigh of relief.

“Whitney, why torture yourself like this?” Tiana burst through the apartment door, saw Whitney transfixed by the TV, and immediately snapped it off.

She wrapped her arms around Whitney, both fierce and worried. “Are you alright? Every local channel in Banyan City is airing it. It must be Elaine’s way of getting back at you, using her connections to flaunt her engagement. That couple isn’t worth our attention. Let’s find something else to do.”

Not wanting to worry her best friend, Whitney forced a smile. “I’m really okay… Even if I had held any illusions before, today, they’re truly gone.

I bought some baking gear when I moved in yesterday. I was thinking that once the baby’s born, I’ll learn to make some purees. Wanna help me experiment?”

“Absolutely! We’ve got to make sure the little one eats well and stays healthy!”

Tiana thought the baby was the only thing that could lift Whitney’s spirits and shift her focus, “Let me download a cooking app…”

Can I join in?” The knock

Chapter 224

to answer the door, asking in a hushed tone, “Why aren’t you at that despicable couple’s engagement party with Ashton? I’m obviously not

sarcastically. “Elaine’s grand engagement is a massive blow to Ashton. How could he attend when the woman he loves is

been hiding out somewhere, and I’m glad for the peace. It saves me from having to accompany my parents and endure Elaine’s two–faced attacks. You know my parents are affiliated with the

huffed in irritation.

had heard their conversation.

walked over and gently touched Whitney’s wan face with a look of shared understanding. “How did we both end up falling for men who’ve been ensnared by Elaine? What’s so great about her? Is it her manipulative

be sad. On the contrary, you should celebrate escaping from misery. Let that Ludwik, Elaine, and Ashton love triangle wear themselves out. It’s hard to find a three–legged toad, but men with

legs, too,” Tiana said with

chuckle, “Tiana, are you looking for a boyfriend? Anyone

has pristine and untainted love lives. What do you

Mr. Doonan?” Tiana was utterly confused

Is there something going

seen something she should not have twice, did that count as something

say something’s going on with him? Let’s drop it! Or shall we go back to discussing

Valerie dropped her usual cool demeanor and

and she went to the kitchen to fetch the baking tools with

mouth twisting in annoyance. “I want to see what kind of people Elaine’s parents are, whether

happy today…”

the evening, and the last light of

sight to

on white silk chairs were the relatives of both parties. Ludwik’s flamboyant engagement had

of the

looked dignified, his eyes revealing nothing, while Delphine

after her mother; you can tell just by looking at her eyes–cold and malicious.”

her gaze shifting to Ludwik’s family. There was an empty spot, except for an elderly man in a traditional

Ever since Imperial Gem Corporation was taken from them, Ludwik has probably