Love Behind the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 376

"Look, it's clear as day. Didn't you see her legs covered in bruises and blood? There's no point in arguing whether

she was hurt or not. The medical report spells it out, and the doctor was right there treating her. | saw it all with

my own eyes." "So, you think I'm accusing her of faking it?"

"| didn't say that. Can we just drop this already?"

"Fine, I'll go check on her myself. Maybe I'll miraculously cure poor, frail Elaine, including her kidney issue!"

Hearing the word 'kidney,' Elaine's eyes flickered with alarm, and a sense of dread washed over her as she clung

to Ashton, shaking her head frantically, "Ashton, I'm scared, I'm scared of Ms. Valentine's fists. She beatso

badly last time." This was clearly meant for Ludwik to hear.

Ludwik frowned, remembering how Whitney had roughed up Elaine before. Her mental state was a total mess;

she even tried to bash her head against the wall earlier...

Regardless, he couldn't just stand by and let Elaine cto harm. If she actually died in this hospital, he'd never

forgive himself for letting his mother down.

"You don't need to 'treat' her, Whitney. Can you just leave for now? Whatever explanation you want, | can give it

to you tomorrow."

Ludwik's voice was soft but firm, his expression cold, as he positioned his tall frbetween Whitney and Elaine,

effectively shielding the latter.

Elaine's lips curled into a smirk; the outcof tonight's was pretty clear.

Whitney stared at Ludwik for a brief moment, those few seconds felt like an eternity, filled with disappointment

as cold as the bitter nights she had endured over the past three years. She thought about the bribery

documents, her misplaced leniency, which had turned into a joke!

It was always the same. Every tshe thought Ludwik would see through Elaine, when she presented evidence,

he chose to be blind. Elaine could easily manipulate him with a few tears. Was he aware that his 'soft-

heartedness' was a weapon Elaine wielded expertly, stabbing her in the heart every time?

How could she have been so foolish, to think her heart could be impervious to the constant betrayals? The recent

tender moments, his persistent affection, all felt so fake now. Her heart felt like it was encased in ice, painfully

clear and numb.

Whitney's voice was cold as she spoke, "You think there will be a tomorrow for explanations? Your duplicity

disgusts me. Stay here with your damsel in distress. A perfect match, a scumbag and a manipulator. Saves me

the trouble of dealing with you both." Her words, ‘disgusts me," struck Ludwik hard, his features frosted over.

Ludwik stepped forward, grabbing her wrist, "Must you always be so harsh? I've explained myself! Her situation

is special; that's the only reason I'm here. Why can't you just let it go this once? Priorities, Whitney. | won't

meddle in her minor issues anymore. I'll even make things clear with her tonight..."

"Letgo." Whitney's voice was icy as she pulled away and walked off.

Ludwik's gaze turned frosty. He had humbled himself, yet she continued to misunderstand, completely

disregarding his current predicament. Maybe, as Ashton said, what really was Whitney's sentiment towards him?

Resentment? Love? Was there any left at all? If a woman still loved a man, she wouldn't be this heartless...

Outside the hospital room, Tiana looked worriedly at Whitney marching out, her eyes filled with anger and

unshed tears. "Ludwik and Ashton, completely blind, both of them. How perfect would it be if they just

disappeared together! Whitney, you should've taken that recording straight to the police, instead of hoping for

Ludwik to grow a conscience."

Whitney's bitter smile was chilling, "And what good would that do? Elaine's constantly playing the kidney card,

brainwashing Ludwik. He's set on protecting Elaine; the police won't stop him. On the contrary, if | went to the

police first, Ludwik might not even see the recording."

Tiana pondered and eventually agreed, "Damn, what would it take to expose Elaine completely? It seems only a

fake kidney donation would wake Ludwik up. Any other damning evidence, because of his 'gratitude,' he'd still

side with Elaine."

"Don't rush." Whitney's eyes were icy as she glanced towards the room, her fists clenched. "The Bartels, all

three, | won't let them off. As for Elaine... | heard from Danny that Natalie's fingers are moving again. If she

continues taking my medicine, do you think she's far from waking up? Let her enjoy her moment; there's a hell

waiting for her."

Tiana's spirits lifted. "Really? So you've been planning for Natalie's awakening."

"Revenge," Whitney corrected in a whisper, giving Tiana a meaningful look. "I promised when | cback, Elaine

would pay for everything she did to us."

Tiana clenched her jaw, remembering her own hellish past years; she squeezed Whitney's hand tightly.

Back in the room, Elaine felt a twisted sense of satisfaction, looking pitifully at Ludwik. "Ludwik, I'm sorry, | didn't

mean to cause a fight between you and Ms. Valentine..."

Ludwik didn't respond, his gaze icy as he fiddled with his phone. After a moment, he pulled out a check from his

suit pocket, along with something from his phone, and laid them in front of Elaine.

His words were cold and final, "I don't care what your intentions are. After tonight, whether you attempt suicide

again or refuse treatment, | won't be involved. The boy who cried wolf only works once. Elaine, | hope you

understand, | owe you for saving my life, but your repeated attempts at suicide will negate any debt of

gratitude!"

Elaine froze, her face draining of color at his merciless words. "Ludwik, it's not like | want to die... I'm just

desperate..."

"No need to explain. To make it clear, calling off the wedding means we're done. Your efforts over the years won't

be forgotten. A hundred billion in cash, mansions across the country worth millions each, stocks and bonds-

enough to keep you living a life of luxury for the rest of your days. It could even catapult the Bartels family to the

pinnacle of high society in Empire City. If you think you're safe from the online hate, I'll make sure all the

negative press about you gets buried."

Elaine's eyes widened in shock as she looked at the check for a hundred billion, the endless list of properties,

and the stocks. Even for her, a renowned socialite of Empire City, this was an enviable fortune.

But was this what she truly wanted? No, what she craved was to be the wife of the heir to the most prestigious

family in Harmonia Country. With that title, what couldn't she have? These offerings seemed like mere pocket

change in comparison.

"No, Ludwik, | won't break up with you. Just moments ago, you were willing to stand up forin front of Ms.

Valentine..."

"You're mistaken. My dealings with her have nothing to do with you. What you've done is unforgivable, and |

can't consider remarrying you. This has nothing to do with Whitney. | chere tonight to make things clear. If

there's anything about this settlement you're not happy with, feel free to speak up."

His voice was cold, his tall figure imposing as he stood aside.

Elaine panicked. She had thought that by driving Whitney away, Ludwik would inevitably return to her side. She

hadn't anticipated that after their argument, he would turn around and present her with such a definitive

severance. How could she possibly give up so easily? Over her dead body!