Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 778

Elodie didn't bother knocking this time; she just kicked Shane's guest room door wide open with all her might!

"Shane..." Elodie began, ready to unleash her fury, but in a blink, her anger was replaced with surprise. There on the living room chairs, she found Sandy and Whitney, enjoying cupcakes and sipping on coffee, engrossed in a TV show and laughing away in conversation. Sandy, startled by Elodie's abrupt entrance, frowned and looked up. "Elodie, what are you doing here again? We just told you, Ludwik isn't here. And isn't this Mr. Nelson's guest room, prepared by your family for the party? Even though it's your event, you can't just barge in here without knocking."

"You're nothing," Elodie spat at Sandy with disdain.

Then, her gaze shifted to Whitney with a sharp edge. "Oh, Mrs. Lutz decided to join as well."

Her eyes, sharp as knives, scrutinized Whitney. Seeing Whitney sitting leisurely, cracking open a peanut with her delicate fingers, her stunning beauty accentuated by a hint of laziness and allure, Elodie felt a surge of jealousy boiling within her.

Despite being several years her senior, Whitney's natural beauty and flawless complexion outshone her completely, not to mention Whitney's skin, fair and glowing, perfectly complemented by her chic, black bodycon dress, highlighting her delicate beauty to an indescribable extent.

If the love-struck Ludwik were to see such a temptress, he'd surely lose control...

"Mrs. Lutz wasn't here just a moment ago, hiding perhaps?" Elodie accused coldly, her eyes darting around the room.

Suddenly, her attention turned to the bathroom. Damn it, she had been distracted by Shane earlier and overlooked it.

Whitney responded to Elodie's hostility with a light smile, "Ludwik and I are just friends. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed downstairs, so I came up here for a bit of peace. That's not an issue, is it, Elodie?"

"There's no issue, but... I suddenly feel the need to use the restroom!"

With that, Elodie pushed past them and quickly opened the bathroom door.

But it was empty, the air still fragrant with a woman's perfume and a hint of steam indicating recent use, proving the shower had been running.

Seeing the shower still dripping and the floor wet, Elodie pieced everything together.

Ludwik must have been hiding here, perhaps even showering in cold water.

Thinking of Whitney suddenly appearing, Elodie's fury twisted her features. Was it Whitney who benefited from the drug she intended for Ludwik?

Smoke seemed to be coming out of her nostrils.

Elodie turned and stormed out, her venomous gaze fixed on Whitney as she bellowed, "Whitney, were you not just hiding in there with Ludwik?"

"What are you talking about, Elodie?" Whitney looked genuinely confused, her expression calm but her forehead creased slightly. "I just came up here."

"Don't play dumb! You shameless woman, you're married and yet you hide here with Ludwik, having an affair. Does your husband Bryce know? You're nothing but a floozy!"

Whitney's composed face turned icy, and she stood up firmly, retorting, "Elodie, your behavior and insults could be considered defamation. I know you like Ludwik, but does he reciprocate your feelings? Do you have any proof? Don't impose your fantasies on me. A lady of your stature should be mindful of her manners!"

"Who are you to lecture me? What right does a shameless woman like you have to judge me?" Elodie's temper flared uncontrollably.

"We might not have a right, but we can involve your parents," Sandy chimed in, not backing down. "Let your elders teach you how to speak and act without tarnishing the reputation of a lady of your standing."

"Shut up, you're just a nobody Shane brought along! You two are beneath me, Elodie. Do you have any idea who my father is? With your kind daring to confront me..."

"Elodie! Enough," a stern voice interrupted.

Elodie spun around, shocked to find Shane had brought her parents into the room.

Shane, with a grave expression, addressed Ronan, "Mr. Miller, Elodie's behavior is unacceptable. It's her welcome party, yes, but that doesn't give her the right to insult our guests. This could tarnish her reputation and, by extension, affect your campaign for Vice President next year. I thought it best to inform you, considering the importance of tonight's event for networking. If this is how guests are treated, the Nelson family might reconsider attending future events hosted by the Millers."

The Nelson family, a powerhouse in Harmonia Country and closely associated with the Millers, represented a crucial financial backing for Ronan's upcoming campaign.

Ronan understood the gravity of Shane's displeasure instantly. He glanced around the room, assessing the situation. Regardless of the specifics, his daughter's earlier outburst was indeed over the top.

He forced a smile, "Shane, Sandy, Whitney, please don't take this to heart. Elodie isn't usually like this."

Then, turning to Elodie with a stern look, he commanded, "Apologize to Mrs. Lutz and Ms. Turner this instant!"

Feeling wronged, Elodie protested, "Dad! You don't understand, Whitney was just..."

Ronan, wanting to protect his daughter yet acknowledging the situation, feigned concern, "Oh? Mrs. Lutz is married; surely, she wouldn't..."

"Of course not," Whitney interjected firmly, denying any misconduct.

"Ronan, I really think you need to have a word with your daughter about her manners. I might be just another face in the crowd here, but I don't appreciate being slandered for no good reason, dragging my name through the mud."

"And what reputation do you have left? Acting all innocent, when you were clearly getting cozy with Ludwik in the bathroom, which by the way, was all steamed up! Dad, Shane was even covering for them, they all ganged up on me, and I'm just fed up!" Shane's face turned ashen.

Whitney suddenly squinted her eyes and shot back, "I'm puzzled why Elodie would accuse me and Ludwik of getting cozy? At such an important event, with my husband right downstairs, would anyone with half a brain do such a foolish thing? And what's so special about Ludwik that he'd have to get cozy with me in there?

We're not out of our minds or behaving irrationally, okay?"

At Whitney's words, Elodie was visibly rattled, but she couldn't disclose the root of the matter.

Her silence didn't mean Sienna next to her could swallow the insult. She was about to explode with frustration at Whitney's sanctimonious attitude. Sienna stood up abruptly, burning with indignation-