Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 257

“I had to slap Elaine because she had it coming! You think you can just waltz in and play

homewrecker with my husband for three years and not expect to catch these hands? I’ve

been civil, not leaving you crippled!”

With that, Whitney nonchalantly flicked a marriage certificate onto the table. It instantly

caught everyone’s attention.

She flipped it open to reveal a clear photo of her and Ludwik. “Till this day, I’m still the one

and only Mrs. Ludwik, folks. And there’s Elaine, strutting around like she’s the fiancée,

flaunting her affair with my man. I’d really like to know where she gets off!

Three years ago, when you two had your fancy engagement bash, I was still legally

married to Mr. Lippert. You think just because you’re Mr. Big Shot, you can dodge bigamy

charges?

Elaine had been bragging in the restroom earlier, saying how she had egged Mr. Lippert on

to snatch my Skye Gem Ltd. from me. And what do you know, they’re planning to tie the

knot in a month.

As a scorned wife, I was boiling over. That’s why I lashed out.”

Whitney finished her tirade with a smug smile.

Elaine’s face drained of color as she stared at the marriage certificate, a chill creeping into

her

gaze.

She turned to Ludwik in desperation.

His eyes were dark and stormy as he glared at Whitney. “How did you get your hands on

that?”

He had been keeping the marriage certificate safe for three years!

Whitney raised an eyebrow. “I should thank you for reminding me this morning that we

never officially filed the paperwork.”

Back then, she could not let go of the jerk. Thus, right when they had signed the divorce

papers. she sneaked into their bedroom and nicked it.

It had been hidden in her new apartment for three years, and just this afternoon, she dug

it out. She knew it would come in handy someday.

Elaine wanted to make a move on her company tonight, secure her place as Mrs. Lippert,

and have Ludwik announce their wedding plans.

And she had the nerve to throw shade Whitney’s way.

How could Whitney not unveil a grand surprise?

“You’ve been avoiding me for three years, and we’ve been separated long enough.

Legally, I could’ve filed for divorce a long time ago!” Ludwik gritted his teeth.

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“Too bad you never did,” Whitney said, glancing at Elaine, who was seething with fury.

“Why. Mr. Lippert, still harboring fantasies about little of disreputable me, is that why you

hesitated?”

“In your dreams. I just forgot, you shameless woman!” Ludwik spat venomously.

Whitney was unfazed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, now, unless I file for

divorce, it looks like Elaine’s dream wedding next month is just that–a dream. And Elaine,

don’t worry about my stained reputation; it’s not like you’re any less of a mistress.”

After dropping that bombshell, she struck a flirtatious pose and caught the eye of Bryce,

who had remained silent till then, responding with a knowing smile.

“Easy there, Whitney,” he said as he took her hand, escorting her off the podium.

Orion shot a wicked grin toward Ludwik, whose jaw clenched tight. He fanned the flames

as he followed. “Ms. Valentine, wait up for me!”

The room went silent, all eyes on Whitney, who, despite her scandalous behavior, pulled it

off with a certain élan.

In contrast, Elaine–well, the looks from the other ladies said it all.

The tide of public opinion was turning.

“So Elaine’s grand engagement three years ago was her stepping up as the mistress,

huh?”

“Mr. Lippert was not even divorced then. How brave!”

*Playing the role of Mrs. Lippert in Banyan City, flaunting her relationship under

everyone’s noses, all because she’s got the Lippert name to hide behind. She seemed so

sly earlier, throwing dirt on Whitney.”

These society ladies, who had been all smiles to Elaine because of the connection to the

influential Bartels family and Mr. Lippert, were quick to change their tune. This was their

strong suit.

Elaine’s face was a mask of barely contained rage, especially since she could not lash out

in front of Ludwik. She glared at Whitney’s retreating figure, mentally branding her a vile

creature for pulling out that marriage certificate.

“Why didn’t you finalize the divorce after our agreement years ago?” she demanded, her

voice filled with resentment.

It should have been such a simple task. Just a call to the registrar would have done it. Why

had he not taken care of it?

And over the past three years, he had not even filed for divorce. Could it be…

“Ludwik, we can’t get married if you’re still hitched to her!” Elaine lamented, her voice

soft with distress.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t pay it any mind.” Ludwik consoled her with a gentle squeeze of her

hand.

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Chapter 257

Then, his gaze followed the woman departing with two men, a dark cloud settling in his

eyes.

Abruptly making an excuse, he said, “I’ll go force her to sign the divorce papers! Elaine, go

to the lounge and find Danny. Make sure he doesn’t run into Whitney!”

“Lu…” she started, but he was already striding away.

Elaine’s mood darkened further; she did not trust Whitney. With gritted teeth, she ignored

the lounge and followed Ludwik.

In the corridor leading to the garden, Whitney glanced at Orion and said coolly, “Orion,

your cameo for the evening is over. You can go now.”

“What, you’re done using me, so now you’re off to frolic with your lover?” Orion sniped,

eyeing Bryce.

Whitney knew he was all bark, no bite, and smirked, “That’s right. I should be with him

and not you, shouldn’t I?”

Bryce chuckled awkwardly but then spoke up warmly, “Why don’t you go freshen up? We

live close by, and we’ve got some things to talk over later.”

Whitney knew he was referring to the auction for Skye Gem Ltd., which was likely to be a

battle. She nodded and headed into the restroom.

After touching up her makeup, she was suddenly yanked against the wall by a powerful

grip.

The towering shadow loomed over her, and Whitney looked up to see who it was. Her eyes

were cold, but her lips curled into a taunting smile.

“Mr. Lippert, what’s this all about, huh? A secret affair?”

With another seductive lash of her eyes, she said ‘Mr. Lippert‘, and Ludwik bore into her

with a gaze sharp enough to peel back her skin to see what lay beneath.

His frown was icy as he spat out in scorn, “I suppose you haven’t been short of secret

affairs with Bryce or Orion, have you? You’ve grown slutty over the last three years. Since

we’re not legally divorced yet, you better watch it. If I catch wind of you cheating, you’re

going to wish you had not!”

Whitney paused, a sly smile creeping across her face. Ludwik must have overheard the

conversation he had had with Orion outside.

Striding forward, she teasingly adjusted his tie. Despite his faults, the man knew how to

wear a suit, looking sharp as ever.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a woman lingering outside the restroom.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Whitney playfully tapped Ludwik’s chest. “So, you’ve

been shadowing me and cornering me by the restroom while sneaking around behind

Elaine’s back? What’s your game, huh? Looking for a little check–up, are we?” Her voice

was a sultry whisper.

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her breath like a feather against his neck.

Ludwik’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his body tensing for a moment.

He quickly grabbed her hand, his voice deep and disdainful. “Spare me the drama. Let’s

just get this divorce finalized, so I don’t have to delay my wedding with Elaine!”

Whitney’s heart, already filled with hatred, skipped a beat at his words.

She laughed without care. “The more eager you are to marry her, the less I want to make

it easy for you. Want me to sign those papers? Then, show me some real commitment. For

starters, hand over Skye Gem Ltd. And since Elaine’s been meddling in my uncle’s case,

leading him towards a death sentence, why don’t you tell her to back off?”

“Why would Elaine interfere with your uncle’s case?” Ludwik frowned, puzzled.

“You don’t know?” Whitney obviously did not believe him.

“I couldn’t care less about your family’s dirty laundry!” Ludwik’s voice was as cold as

winter. frost.

Three years ago, she had left him, their son had died, and she had run away. The fact that

Keegan was still breathing was already a courtesy. In fact, he had spent the last three

years. deliberately distancing himself from such matters just to catch a breath.

“Ms. Valentine, you’ve crossed the line. Why are you slandering me the moment you come

back?”

Elaine, who was eavesdropping, could not take it anymore and burst into the restroom.

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