Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 361

As the person in question, Whitney politely declined the requests for her Facebook details and stood calmly by Orion's side, fiddling with her phone. The privacy filter on her screen meant Orion couldn't see what message she was crafting. Mysterious, much?

"Look over there, Jason, that's my uncle," Orion suddenly pointed out.

Whitney looked in the direction Orion indicated and saw Ludwik standing with Jason. In that moment, something flickered through Whitney's heart.

"They look alike, don't they?" Orion seemed to read her mind and smirked, "Definitely more than he looks like my dad. Seems like Jason's laying his cards on the table now..."

Even though Whitney wasn't familiar with the ins and outs of Emperor City, she knew Jason was a high-ranking military official, a patriarch from the most influential family in Harmonia Country. Then she remembered Zane's smug expression earlier. Three years ago, Elaine had hinted that Ludwik's background was no simple affair. Turns out, she was right...

"That must be Jarvis over there," Orion nodded slightly, "Rumor has it he's my uncle's adopted son?"

Squinting, Whitney indeed saw Jarvis approaching Jason, nodding respectfully, yet his sly eyes remained defiant.

"What a day," Orion clicked his tongue, "Banyan City's so tiny, and yet, because of Ludwik, it's drawing in all these big shots from Emperor City..."

"I didn't invite you, pest." A cold male voice came from nearby.

Ludwik, having mingled with a few businessmen and elegantly holding a wine glass, cast a cold glance towards Orion. His gaze deepened upon catching sight of Whitney.

invite you either. What are you

encounter just the night before, a fleeting

expect your ex-wife to come witness your blissful union, but I couldn't refuse such a gracious invitation." Ludwik's handsome face stiffened momentarily. He hadn't intended to put her in such an awkward situation. He hadn't even handled the

arms with Orion and walking away. Ludwik's gaze lingered on the ribbon around her neck;

I'll start to wonder

"The auspicious time is nearly upon us. Elaine must be getting anxious inside. You've decided to marry today, so focus on your bride. There's no turning back

his lips tightly, a bitter smile flashing through his eyes. Rubbing his temples, he responded coldly, "I never intended to marry Whitney. It's impossible. I know I'm getting married today, and my bride is Elaine." Relieved, Nolan sighed,

out, filling the air with melodious music. Among the wedding march and a shower of petals, Elaine, in a diamond-studded dress and a tiara, gracefully

future ruler of Emperor City and heir to the Lippert family, was Elaine's lifelong dream. After years of planning and scheming, today, she was finally

another night with that woman, evident from his husky voice over the phone. But it didn't matter. From now on, Ludwik would be hers entirely, bearing children and sharing everything with her! Whitney would have nothing. Not just nothing. Elaine had laid her plans carefully, and today would mark Whitney's downfall. With a fleeting

numb. It seemed that the presence of that woman in the crowd finally made him realize, love was not something

said, "If only your godmother could see us now. I saved her life, and now we're becoming the dearest family. She

managed to unsettle Ludwik even at his

"Mr. Ludwik, do you take Ms. Elaine to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her as long as you both shall

by a loud interruption from the large screen behind them! Suddenly, in the midst of celebrating their love story, the big screen that had been showcasing Elaine and her partner's romantic journey flickered, and the imagery shifted unexpectedly. Elaine, caught

now displayed a provocative scene, a woman's bare form causing a collective gasp among the audience, a mix of elites and common folks alike. That face, wasn't it Elaine, the

pinned beneath a man, his identity half-hidden, not her groom but

that's

that's not Mr. Lippert,