Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 737

Bryce was deep in thought, noticing even the Finance Minister spoke of Phineas with a sense of reverence. The guy must wield immense power, no wonder Wade had been bending over backward trying to get close to Phineas recently.

As everyone was lost in their thoughts, Ronan left the scene.

Seizing the moment, Bryce quickly turned to Whitney, "Whitney, I'm going to grab a drink from the bar. Could you please keep Mr. Nelson company?"

"I was just about to have a word with her myself," Shane nodded in agreement.

As Bryce walked away, Shane's eyes gleamed mischievously. He nudged his chin towards Whitney, "See over there, Ludwik made it tonight too. I didn't send him an invite; wonder how he got in. Seems like he's desperate for that deal with Inko Group. But look at him, all by his lonesome, not a single soul willing to chat him up."

As Shane gossiped, Whitney couldn't help but glance at the man standing alone by the floor-to-ceiling windows, ignored by everyone.

Though Ludwik still looked dashing, most people were stealing glances at him, with a mix of schadenfreude, cold observation, or outright mockery.

Suddenly, a young woman carrying a glass of red wine approached him, whispered something, and Ludwik, after a moment of hesitation, followed her into the corridor.

Whitney, puzzled and somewhat disdainful, thought, "Is he really that easy? Just any girl approaches him and..."

Her internal criticisms were cut short by a piercing scream from the corridor, "Ah! Ludwik, how dare you! You drag me here to harass me? And you spilled your drink all over my dress, you brute!"

The crowd went silent, their attention drawn to the source of the commotion, especially since Ludwik was involved. Everyone seemed eager to find out what was happening.

a worried frown, Whitney felt a sudden dread, suspecting

check it out," Shane said, eyes

eyes at Shane, Whitney

entrance of the corridor, a girl in a now drenched dress was crying. Recognized as the third daughter of the prestigious Patrick family, a family that had risen to become the first family of Harmonia Country, some quick-witted attendees immediately came forward to console her, "Miss Patrick, what

tried to leave, but he grabbed my hand and dragged me here, intending to assault me! He spilled his drink on my dress, clearly wanting to embarrass me so I couldn't face others.

drew sympathetic looks from the

is beyond the pale!" a young noble stepped forward, scolding Ludwik, "Miss Patrick is out of your league!

room filled with accusatory voices,

here?" Jarvis and Wade approached, Jarvis with a smirk of enjoyment

cousin Jarvis, you're just in time!" Brielle cried, "Ludwik bullied me. He dragged me into the corridor and tried to

gentleman of Harmonia Country, and now you stoop to such lows. Are you trying to suck up to the Patrick family, or are you just bitter because they've surpassed you, so you

looks towards Ludwik

"If you kneel and apologize to my cousin, we can forget

stern features,

to kneel?" Ludwik's lips curled coldly, his gaze piercing through the crowd, "I doubt any

to shove, he still

bottom, and yet he's out there, living it up, refusing to own up. Jarvis, tell him

with Phineas nowhere in sight, he could

"After all, tonight is Mr. Wilson's gala. This

why not? He never had the right to be