Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 769

Elodie beamed with excitement as Bryce handed her a beautifully wrapped gift. "Elodie, congratulations on your graduation and welcome back home! This is a little something from my wife and me. Just a token of our affection. We wish you all the happiness in the world." Whitney was taken aback by Bryce's thoughtful gesture, suspecting the gift to be of considerable value. Bryce certainly knew how to play the social game, she thought, a skill she hadn't noticed in him before.

"Thank you so much!" Elodie chirped, accepting the gift with a playful glance at Whitney. "But, Mr. Lutz, I'm surprised you brought your wife along. This welcome home party was meant to be a small gathering, you know."

Whitney stiffened at the apparent snub.

Elodie's mom intervened, her tone a mix of annoyance and politeness. "Elodie, that's no way to speak to our guests. Mr. Lutz's wife, Whitney, is quite the figure in the Sheldon Group, a young executive with as much influence as you have cheer. And she's a good friend of your brother Shane. It's an honor to have her here."

"Mrs. Lutz, I'm terribly sorry for my daughter's rudeness," Mrs. Miller apologized, her words dripping with forced courtesy.

"No worries," Whitney replied with a serene smile. "It's Elodie's party, after all. She's entitled to her preferences. Sometimes, a crowd can be overwhelming."

Whitney understood Bryce's intention to bring her along was probably due to the family ties with Shane, who was also close to her.

As they mingled, Shane arrived with Sandy Turner, catching Whitney off guard. She wondered when Shane had the chance to befriend Sandy.

Shane, noticing Whitney's surprise, teased her for not informing him of her attendance.

Bryce, seizing the moment, praised Ronan for the excellent party venue, including a swimming pool that screamed youth and freedom. Ronan lapped up the compliment, unaware of Bryce's ulterior motives. Whitney observed Bryce, recalling how he had ingratiated himself with Ronan at a previous gathering. She realized Bryce's talent for flattery and subservience, a stark contrast to his genteel demeanor.

Shane, meanwhile, playfully accused Bryce of being a charming talker, a skill Whitney must have been familiar with.

The event took a turn when Elodie's affection for Ludwik became the center of attention. As Ludwik made his entrance, the room fell silent, captivated by his striking presence.

Elodie's heart fluttered at the sight of Ludwik, her proclaimed object of affection, stunning in a formal suit. Despite her bold declaration, Ludwik maintained a polite distance, focusing on greeting Ronan and Shane.

Ronan, grateful to Ludwik for a past favor, welcomed him warmly. Bryce, however, seethed with jealousy and frustration, his plans against Ludwik having failed previously. Ludwik's arrival, coupled with Elodie's infatuation, only added fuel to Bryce's growing resentment. As the party continued, the dynamics between the guests hinted at underlying tensions and alliances, with Ludwik's distinguished aura overshadowing the other attendees.

The whispers started circulating as soon as people noticed Ludwik's presence at Elodie's welcome home party.

"Can you believe it? Ludwik's here at Elodie's bash," someone muttered under their breath.

"Ha, you're out of the loop. Ludwik turned into a hero at Mr. Wilson's gathering, saved Elodie's life, and now he's cozying up to the Miller clan."

"Man, Ludwik used to be top-tier. Now, it looks like he's playing dirty to get back on his feet."

"And guess what? His ex, now going by Claire, is here too. Tonight's gonna be juicy," another added, barely containing their laughter.

The room buzzed with gossip.

Ludwik, overhearing the chatter, felt a chill in his gaze. He pressed his lips together, a picture of cool detachment, opting to ignore the snide comments. Bryce's face darkened slightly.

Ronan, intrigued, gave Whitney a more scrutinizing look, surprised by her connection to Ludwik.

After a moment of surprise, Ronan tried to smooth things over. "Ludwik, glad you could make it. After you saved my daughter, I've been meaning to thank you properly."

Shane raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Mr. Lippert, turns out Elodie's got a soft spot for you. You're in for a wild ride, buddy."

"Shane, quit it," Elodie shot back, visibly annoyed. She then reached for Ludwik's arm, her demeanor shifting to one of warmth. "Mr. Lippert, this crowd's a bore. Let me introduce you to my friends, come on!" Ludwik barely had a chance to glance at Whitney, who had remained silent, before Elodie whisked him away.

Whitney watched them go, a mix of irritation and disappointment brewing inside her.