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.

lips, "I didn't invite you either.

encounter just the night before, a fleeting

else must have. You didn't 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

Orion and walking away. Ludwik's gaze lingered on the ribbon around her

at her, I'll

upon us. Elaine must be getting anxious inside. You've decided to marry today, so focus on your bride. There's no turning back now. Today, your vows

he responded coldly, "I never intended to marry Whitney. It's impossible. I know I'm getting married today,

and a shower of petals, Elaine, in a diamond-studded

suit, looked stunning from every angle, a gift from the gods. His imposing figure was mature and muscular. Marrying someone like Ludwik, 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 marrying Ludwik. She was becoming

spent 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

emotion. His heart remained heavy, his body cold and numb. It seemed that the presence of that woman in the crowd finally made him realize, love was not something he could control or dictate. He might command everything else, but not

only your godmother could see us now. I saved

transplant. Indeed, Ludwik's attention snapped back, and he looked at her with a renewed sense of gratitude. Elaine coldly glanced at Whitney, who still managed to unsettle Ludwik even at his wedding. Just wait.

health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her as long as you both shall live?" All eyes turned towards the altar. Elaine looked at the man with

drowned out 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 off guard, furrowed her brows in confusion, wondering about the competence of

a woman's bare form causing a collective gasp among the audience, a mix of elites and

man, his identity half-hidden,

God, that's Elaine,

not Mr. Lippert, the