Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
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.

He lightly parted his lips, "I didn't invite you either. What are you doing here?"

The question was directed at Whitney. Recalling their intense encounter just the night before, a fleeting expression crossed Whitney's face.

She brushed a strand of hair aside, her expression indifferent, and showed him two invitations, "You didn't invite me, so someone 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 wedding invitations himself. That was Elaine's domain...

His pupils narrowed slightly, about to speak, but Whitney didn't give him the chance, calmly linking arms with Orion and walking away. Ludwik's gaze lingered on the ribbon around her neck; her slender, swan-like neck was probably covered because of his passionate bites the night before.

"Ludwik, if you keep looking at her, I'll start to wonder who you're really marrying today!"

Nolan came over, reminding him, "The auspicious time is nearly 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 must be made."

Ludwik pressed his lips tightly, a bitter smile flashing through his eyes. Rubbing his temples, he responded coldly, "I never intended to marry Whitney. It's impossible. I know I'm getting married today, and my bride is Elaine." Relieved, Nolan sighed, glad to see Ludwik was still in his senses, "Let's go. It's time to meet Elaine."

At 12:08, the chime of the wedding bells rang out, filling the air with melodious music. Among the wedding march and a shower of petals, Elaine, in a diamond-studded dress and a tiara, gracefully walked across the lawn towards Ludwik under the envious gazes of the female guests.

The man, in a sharp black 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 Mrs. Lippert!

Elaine's glance quickly swept over Whitney. A sense of triumph flashed in her eyes. After all their battles, she was the ultimate winner. She knew Ludwik had 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 mark Whitney's downfall. With a fleeting smile, Elaine gracefully approached the altar, facing Ludwik. Despite the deep, captivating gaze of the man in front of her, causing her heart to flutter and her cheeks to blush, she said tenderly, "Ludwik, I'm finally marrying you."

However, Ludwik's eyes, though fixed on her, didn't sparkle with 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 his own heart! Not even his wandering gaze...

"Ludwik!" Elaine, noticing his attention drifting to Whitney, softly said, "If only your godmother could see us now. I saved her life, and now we're becoming the dearest family. She would be so pleased!"

She subtly reminded him of the life-saving kidney 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. Once the vows were exchanged, she'd reveal the damning evidence of Whitney's theft on the big screen. She had even alerted the police.

The minister began, "Mr. Ludwik, do you take Ms. Elaine to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in 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 deep affection. Ludwik's hand hung by his side, his brow furrowed as he began, "..."

His voice was suddenly 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 her team. It wasn't time to reveal Whitney's misdeeds yet. As she turned, her expression morphed from confusion to sheer horror, her face draining of color. "No... please, no..."

The screen now displayed a provocative scene, a woman's bare form causing a collective gasp among the audience, a mix of elites and common folks alike. That face, wasn't it Elaine, the bride?

She was pinned beneath a man, his identity half-hidden, not her groom but another.

"My God, that's Elaine, today's bride!"

"Wait, that's not Mr. Lippert, the groom!"

"Holy smokes, does this mean Elaine cheated before the wedding?"

After a moment of shocked silence, Elaine, pale as a ghost, finally found her voice. "That's not me! Turn it off, who played this?!"

Zane and Delphine were equally stunned, unable to believe this was happening to Elaine. But they quickly reacted, standing up in dismay. "This isn't Elaine, it has to be doctored, Ludwik, make them stop!" "Someone, cut the power to the screen!"

A hustle ensued as the staff scrambled, but the power seemed unyieldingly on. Elaine was in utter panic, her eyes darting fearfully towards Ludwik, who was watching the screen, expression unreadable. The video played on relentlessly, a montage with timestamps, the latest marked just yesterday.

"Wow, Elaine sure knows how to play, even on the eve of her wedding!"

"The same man in each, quite the variety of... talents."

"Mr. Lippert's wearing quite the crown of horns now, isn't he?!"

Whispers turned to a murmur of speculation, the last comment trailing off as eyes shifted to the silent, imposing figure of the groom.

"It's not true, Ludwik, you have to believe me, it's all fabricated, someone's framing me..." Tears brimming, Elaine rushed to him, desperate to embrace him, to explain...