Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 779

Ludwik had popped some pills, and Whitney was being accused of being too close for comfort.

"Whitney, it's not like you haven't lured Ludwik before. You must've helped him out somehow," Elodie sneered, implying something more sinister was at play.

"Helped him? And what's this about Ludwik taking pills?" Whitney shot back, her gaze icy as she turned to Elodie. "What exactly did he take, Elodie? Your friend here seems to know a lot." The room went silent, everyone's eyes wide open.

Elodie glared at Sienna, wishing she could just kick her out for spilling the beans. She had the upper hand, and now she was suddenly on the defensive.

"Whitney, don't twist my words. We're talking about your scandalous affair with Ludwik, not about throwing accusations my way," Elodie retorted, fury building in her voice.

Whitney chuckled, her calm demeanor unshaken even as Ronan's face turned a shade paler at the mention of drugs. "Ronan, seems like your daughter might have resorted to some tricks to snag the man she likes. Mr. Nelson mentioned Ms. Miller was desperately looking for Ludwik. A young lady, barely in her twenties, going to such lengths at a party? That's bold. One might think, Ronan, that you've been encouraging her, no?"

Ronan understood the gravity of the situation. He had given Elodie his blessing to pursue Ludwik, but not through such dubious means.

"Ms. Valentine, let's not jump to conclusions. There must be some misunderstanding. My Elodie is a girl of good moral fiber!" Ronan tried to maintain his composure, offering Whitney a strained smile. Elodie, frustrated, tugged at her father's arm. "Dad, why are you being so polite to her? I haven't done anything shameful. If she spreads rumors, I'll make sure everyone knows about her and Ludwik." Before she knew it, Ronan's hand came down hard across her face.

girl didn't realize she had

especially if he

eyes as she pointed accusingly at Whitney. "She's the one having an affair with Ludwik,

situation with a smile. "Elodie, let's not jump to conclusions. I was just using the restroom, and things got

are you even on my side?" Elodie couldn't contain

to stir trouble, wished he could silence her himself. Tonight's debacle clearly showed

daughter. "Mrs. Lutz, my daughter has been

Elodie's parties. Being wrongly accused and then having one of the Miller family's maids try to push me into the pool? That's rich. And now, Elodie accuses me of having an affair. My reputation

patience was wearing thin. Despite his efforts to

events hanging over them, Ronan had no choice but to press Elodie into apologizing,

intent, reluctantly apologized, her anger boiling over as she stormed

to face Whitney, hoping she was satisfied with the outcome. Whitney, for her part, merely hoped Elodie's reckless

with that backhanded thank you, the tension in the

Whitney apart. A brat, trying to tarnish his reputation. Shane stepped forward to smooth things over, "Mr. Miller,

Whitney nodded