Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 773

"Miss..." The maid, barely rescued from the water, glanced up to see Elodie's displeased expression and jumped in fright.

Quickly turning her head towards Whitney, she pointed an accusing finger, "I truly don't know what I did to upset Ms. Valentine. Out of nowhere, she shoved me into the pool, making sure I crashed into Mr. Lewis. Today was supposed to be your welcome party, Ms. Valentine. Are you looking to stir up trouble at Elodie's event on purpose?"

The maid exaggerated her story, hinting at something deeper.

Immediately, all eyes turned to Whitney.

Elodie, visibly irritated, confronted Whitney, "Mrs. Lutz, what exactly are you trying to pull here?"

Sienna, standing by her side, chimed in sarcastically, "Elodie, what else could Mrs. Lutz be up to?

If you ask me, she's just green with envy seeing you getting on so well with Ludwik. She's obviously trying to mess up your party!"

"So, Mrs. Lutz, you're picking on our maid now? That's low, even for you."

Elodie frowned, barely containing her anger.

The guests, overhearing Sienna's comments, began whispering among themselves.

"So, this is all because she's jealous of Elodie and Ludwik's thing?"

"But hasn't she married Bryce already?"

"That's underestimating Ms. Valentine. Many women want their cake and eat it too, always hoping their exes still orbit around them. Plus, she might not want Ludwik climbing up the social ladder with the Miller family." "Whitney always looked like such a sweetheart. Who knew she could be so spiteful?"

As these harsh whispers reached Ludwik's ears, his gaze darkened and a chill spread around him, ready to explode in anger. But then, he heard Whitney's lazy chuckle.

Ludwik's deep gaze calmed, raising an eyebrow at the petite woman.

Whitney crossed her arms and approached the maid, "Elodie, let's not jump to conclusions.

are you certain it was me who pushed you into

stammered, "If not you, then who?

was looking for me, which is why I followed you here. At the pool's edge, you suddenly turned and bumped into me, trying to knock me into the water towards Mr. Lewis. But, in your

I never looked for you.

grew colder as she chuckled, "Did you rehearse

up on the spot often

the surveillance cameras

if it was you leading me here or me

went pale, biting her lip in panic,

a warning glance. The maid had failed miserably, but

incident today? It was my private party, so I didn't ask the

that convenient? Surveillance always seems to be off or missing crucial footage at just the right moment," Whitney said with a cold smile, spreading her hands in a gesture of innocence. "Well, if that's how it is, there's nothing I can do. You

You got it. It's

apology from me will make

underlying message in Whitney's words. Essentially, Elodie was using her family's influence to manipulate the maid

forced a bright, naive smile, "Ms. Valentine, don't take

friends. I wanted everyone to feel relaxed,

endanger anyone's life, so let's just let bygones be

sides, and nobody

sorry for the interruption. Didn't

Lewis, wary of Elodie's status, quickly played peacekeeper, "Yeah, Ms. Valentine,

should offer her a couple of drinks to calm her nerves." "Right, Mr. Lippert, let's get ready for the champagne toast," Elodie said, gazing at

"Hold on."

observing finally spoke up,

as he succinctly stated, "Let me make one thing clear,

are not an item,

love is

that, he looked intently at Whitney, his eyes

guard by his direct gaze, Whitney's cheeks flushed

What was he doing?