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…”

I join in?” The knock at the

Chapter 224

went 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

her lips twisting sarcastically. “Elaine’s grand engagement is a massive blow to Ashton. How could he attend when the woman he loves is getting engaged to another man?

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

in

had heard their conversation.

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 ways, her acting skills, her numerous vices? These men

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

have three legs, too,” Tiana said with a blush.

are you looking for a boyfriend? Anyone catch your eye since

of us, you’re the only one who has pristine and untainted love lives. What do you think about Parker Doonan?” Valerie teased.

Doonan?” Tiana

is red. Is there something going on?” Whitney

something she should not have twice, did that count

up. I’m closer to Nolan. Why don’t you say something’s going on with him? Let’s drop it! Or shall we

you even have a heart?” Valerie dropped her usual cool demeanor and roared.

to genuinely calm Whitney’s mood, and she went to the kitchen to fetch the baking tools with a resigned

resist turning the TV back on, her mouth twisting in annoyance. “I want to

happy today…”

was around six in the evening, and the last light of dusk cast a beautiful glow

buffet table was a sight to behold on

the relatives of both parties. Ludwik’s flamboyant engagement had attracted

of the Bartels

his eyes revealing nothing, while Delphine appeared resplendent and

can tell just by looking at

was an empty spot, except for an elderly man in

amused. “Kaden Lippert didn’t show up, huh? No surprise there. Ever since Imperial Gem Corporation was taken from them, Ludwik has probably detested the Lippert family. He