Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 774

Her eyes, sparkling like twin flutes of champagne, locked onto his with an intensity that captured Ludwik's heart in a single glance. His lips, usually a straight line, couldn't help but curve into a smile, charmed by her gaze.

Their flirtatious exchange didn't sit well with Elodie, whose jealousy was almost palpable in the air. She felt like smashing the champagne tower to bits but managed to hold back, batting her eyelashes at Ludwik instead. "Uncle, huh? I was actually looking for someone just

like that - mature and caring, straight out of those TV dramas."

Ludwik's response was a cool, detached smile. "Unfortunately, that's not me."

"No worries, there's always time," Elodie shot back, ever so boldly. "Afraid a young girl like me can't melt your heart?"

She didn't bother to hide her feelings anymore, making it clear she was all in.

When she passed Ludwik a drink, her enthusiasm seemed to spark envy among the other young elites.

"Cheers, Ludwik," Elodie approached with a glass of champagne, her eyes shimmering. "Thanks for coming to my welcome party. It's been the happiest day for me."

All eyes were on them, making them the center of attention.

Despite Ronan's presence, Ludwik couldn't outright dismiss them. He accepted the champagne with a nod, sharing a brief toast with Elodie before taking a sip.

But when he turned around, Whitney was nowhere to be seen, her glass untouched.

Ludwik frowned, wanting to follow her, but Elodie and her entourage were in his way. By the time he could get free, Whitney had vanished.

Was she upset?

-

Whitney returned to the main hall, looking for Bryce. Sandy approached, "Looking for Bryce? He went off with Ronan and a few senators to look at some antiques."

Sandy hinted, "I've been watching Bryce; he's not simple. Among all the tycoons here, only he got close to Ronan."

Whitney was distracted, barely listening.

"What are you thinking about?" Sandy teased, guessing, "Don't tell me you're jealous of Ludwik and Elodie's flirting by the pool?"

"Jealous? That's ridiculous," Whitney shot back, though she couldn't deny feeling annoyed by Elodie and Ludwik's closeness. But it wasn't jealousy - she was just concerned about her son facing yet another stepmother. "I'm just worried about Elodie becoming my son's stepmother."

Sandy pondered, then with a mischievous wink, "So, Florence is a no-go, Elodie is out - who do you want as their stepmom?"

"Elodie's just a young girl with too much cunning. She even tried to set me up to be embarrassed earlier," Whitney shared, frustrated.

Sandy was outraged, "How dare they treat a guest like that! Mr. Nelson should know about this."

"Let it go," Whitney urged, calm yet firm. "I'm just a friend of Shane's. The Nelsons wouldn't want to upset the Millers over me."

Sandy paused, understanding the complexity.

"We definitely can't have someone like Elodie as a stepmom for Danny and Sammy," Sandy concluded, then playfully added, "You better keep an eye on Ludwik then, don't let Elodie snatch him away." Whitney rolled her eyes at Sandy's insinuation.

Why should she care about a man who only brought trouble?

-

The champagne tower by the pool was drained by the guests.

Ludwik finally escaped Elodie's clutches, seeking solace away from the crowd.

But soon, he felt an unfamiliar heat coursing through his body, his breath tight around his throat. It was a sensation he recognized - someone had spiked his drink. Damn it!

It must have been Elodie. Despite her young age, she played dirty.

His vision blurring, Ludwik made his way to the exit, hoping to escape the madness.

But Elodie's guards blocked the way.

If he tried to leave now, Elodie would surely find him.

At that moment, a familiar voice called out, "Ludwik?"

It was Shane, holding a drink under the veranda.

Noticing Ludwik's distress, Shane approached, concerned. "You look flushed. What happened?"

"Someone spiked my drink," Ludwik managed through clenched teeth.

Shane's eyes narrowed, "Elodie's doing?"

"Who else?"

As Ludwik struggled with the drug's effects, Shane suggested a plan. "Follow me. I've got a room here, being related to the Millers and all. You can hide in the bathroom." Grateful, Ludwik followed, his condition worsening by the second. Once inside, he doused his face with cold water, but the burning sensation and sweat persisted, growing more intense. Outside, Shane quickly called Sandy for help.

-

Downstairs, Sandy, upon receiving Shane's call, grabbed Whitney. "Sis, Mr. Nelson's upstairs. He might have info on Bryce. Let's go."

The plot thickens as alliances form and secrets threaten to spill, all under the guise of a high-society party.

Whitney had been feeling cooped up and was itching for a change of scenery, and Bryce was off doing who knows what with a couple of high-ranking officials.

Unable to keep tabs on him, she nodded, "Might as well."

Just as she and Sandy were about to step into the elevator, Whitney caught a glimpse of Elodie walking in from outside, looking around as if she was searching for someone.

A thought flickered through Whitney's mind - could Elodie possibly be looking for Ludwik?

"Sis, the elevator's closing," Sandy urged her.

With that, Whitney hurried into the elevator.

Once they reached the upper floor, the luxury resort seemed vast, with each level boasting over twenty rooms.

Whitney and Sandy made their way to the end of the corridor, where they saw Shane opening a door. As soon as they entered, Shane quickly and cautiously shut the door behind them. "What's going on?" Whitney eyed Shane curiously. "All this secrecy... what have you found out about Bryce?"