Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 355

Whitney stood there, her gaze drifting across the dreamlike wedding publicity event where Elaine was being interviewed. The buzz about it was everywhere.

Her eyes seemed calm, almost detached, as she let out a small laugh, "Let's go, uncle."

"Some people just can't appreciate the finer things in life, like a billion-dollar wedding. Can you imagine that, miss? Our Elaine's husband, Mr. Lippert, he's loaded. And it's not just the money. He adores Elaine, ready to splurge on her, making their wedding the talk of the town. You won't replace a second like him in all of Harmonia Country!"

A shrill voice pierced through the air.

Whitney turned around to see Endora and Elaine walking up side by side.

"Ms. Valentine, sorry if our lavish wedding disrupted your peace. I did tell Ludwik not to make it such a spectacle, but he wanted to give me the perfect wedding, no regrets. You've been close to him; you know how he's both a gentleman and assertively masculine!" Elaine's face showed a mix of being spoiled and helpless.

Endora sneered at Whitney, "Mr. Lippert's chivalry isn't for everyone; some women just didn't get to enjoy it, hence the divorce, right?"

"What did you just say!" Yael couldn't hold back.

Whitney stopped the furious young girl, "Well, he's my ex, like a fallen piece of trash. Elaine picked it up and treasures it. What can I say? Best wishes to you."

"You..." Endora was taken aback by Whitney's crudeness, priding herself on her ladylike demeanor; she couldn't stoop to a public spat.

Whitney, locking eyes with Elaine, continued, "At least I've been there, done that. What about you with him? A billion-dollar wedding is nothing if the man's all show." This was a jab at Ludwik too.

Yael, catching on, giggled, "Whoa, looks like you'll be alone in a big house full of money. What fun is that?"

Elaine clenched her fists, her face turning a shade of green, but she quickly regained her composure, pointing behind her with a laugh, "Ms. Valentine, see the maternity clinic over there? I'm not all about fun like you. A woman's legacy is her children, and Ludwik is very considerate of that."

"That's right. Mr. Lippert even said he wants several kids with Elaine. Wealth's no issue. He mentioned your kidney condition, afraid the childbirth pain would be too much, so he went straight for IVF. After today's checkup and the wedding, you'll be carrying twins. Then you'll be the darling of the Lippert family, with no one else to compete."

Endora's smug emphasis on 'no one else' was clearly a dig at Whitney.

Whitney stood there, her throat tightening, making it hard to breathe. If seeing Elaine's interview about starting a family was possibly a bluff, then today's maternity clinic appointment confirmed Ludwik's eagerness to have children with Elaine. Whitney should've seen it coming. Despite exposing the Bartels family, Ludwik still sided with them, a clear sign. No wonder it's all about a grand wedding and starting a family immediately. Only she, the fool, was deceived by his hypocrisy. Not anymore.

Whitney steeled herself, "This man is not worth lingering over." She planned to rescue Danny.

Seeing Whitney's indifferent expression, a sense of victory flashed across Elaine's face as she approached with feigned sympathy, "Ludwik and I are finally tying the knot. I wish you luck in remarrying, though it might be hard with a child... I actually wanted to experience childbirth, but Ludwik's too concerned..."

"Right, he spares you the childbirth but has you undergo fertility treatments. You're the heiress of the Bartels Hospital, you must know how painful IVF can be. The endless medications, the injections, that's real love from Ludwik." "You, what are you talking about?"

Elaine's face fell. Ludwik hadn't mentioned IVF; her visit to the hospital was just to provoke Whitney.

"Elaine, she's just scaring you. Many wealthy women I know have successfully had twins through IVF!" Endora quickly reassured her.

Elaine touched her face, worried about gaining weight.

Whitney, noting her reaction, hinted darkly, "Before IVF, you both need to be tested for infectious diseases. Be careful, Elaine."

"What do you mean?"

Whitney smirked cryptically. Be careful with Jarvis, she thought. Imagining Elaine's grand wedding potentially falling apart made Whitney smirk. Why bother with this nonsense? She pushed her uncle's wheelchair away. "What nonsense is she talking about? How could you possibly have an STD?" Endora fumed.

Elaine, puzzled by Whitney's abrupt stop, stared at her retreating figure. What was she implying?

---

That night, Elaine rushed to Jarvis's hotel, insisting on their affair. On one hand, she was helping Jarvis with his scheme and could leverage that for intimacy. On the other, once married, she'd have to be faithful. Might as well enjoy the last of her freedom. Lying exhausted on the bed, Elaine remembered Whitney's insinuations at the hospital, "Jarvis, we're careful, right? Make sure the hotel's surveillance is wiped clean."

"Who would even notice? Your husband Ludwik didn't catch on!" Jarvis chuckled, fiddling with his phone.

Elaine shot him a playful glare, then her eyes suddenly caught sight of him texting a familiar number. She leaned in closer and saw it was Whitney's number.

Elaine froze, then snatched the phone away, "Jarvis, why is Whitney contacting you? You haven't told her about us, have you?"

"Am I crazy?" Jarvis, clearly annoyed, snatched his phone back and smirked, "I reached out to Whitney for a little help with Ludwik. Guess what she said?"

"She agreed. Bet you didn't see that coming. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, right? That's you ladies all over." Jarvis's smile was laced with darkness. Elaine was secretly shocked. Whitney? Going against Ludwik?

Her mind raced with doubt and disbelief, but eventually, she realized this was incredible news for her! She disliked Whitney and was worried that even if there was a glitch with the chip, all she could offer Ludwik was silent support and help with some of the company's issues. There was always a chance Ludwik could still fall for Whitney's charms.

But, if Whitney was perceived by Ludwik as a venomous woman who colluded with outsiders against him? Well, that would be the end of that. Whitney would be out of the picture for good.

Elaine quickly turned to Jarvis, "So, you're planning to involve Whitney in some scheme against Skyfaith Group, huh? I need your help to fabricate evidence that Whitney is harming Skyfaith. At the wedding, I want Ludwik and the whole town to see that Whitney is the one sabotaging his company. That'll be the end of her."

"You're quite the schemer, dumping the blame on someone else. Quite wicked," Jarvis said, patting her face with a cold, teasing laugh, leaving his intentions ambiguous.