Love beyond the mask201-300

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Chapter_290

Elaine tried to steady her emotions, tugging at Ludwik’s sleeve with feigned confusion. “Ludwik, did you by any chance help Ms. Valentine visit her uncle Keegan in jail?”

Ludwik’s posture stiffened, his usually composed demeanor slipping for a brief moment. The memory of that night, when Whitney had forced him into a deal with the threat of damaging pictures, clouded his thoughts. His jaw tightened as he remembered how he had fallen into her trap.

Elaine, sensing the change in him, felt a storm brewing within her. Her voice dripped with hurt as she pressed on, “Ludwik, why would you do something so unfair for her? I thought you were utterly disillusioned with her, and here you are, going behind my back…”

“It’s not like that, Elaine,” Ludwik finally spoke, his voice laced with irritation. “That night at the hotel, she deliberately took some misleading photos and threatened to leak them to the press. I was worried about the backlash on you, so I fell for her trap.”

He clenched his teeth, frustration bubbling within him. That woman was far too clever for her own good. How else could she have taken back control of Skye Gem Ltd. right from under his nose? He had seriously underestimated her.

Ludwik was infuriated by his own involvement. Why had he even agreed to meet her at that hotel? His mind was clouded with anger, especially knowing she had hired Bryce as a chief consultant. Was she flaunting her relationship with him now, even though they weren’t divorced yet?

Elaine, however, felt her fury rise as Ludwik explained himself. How many schemes had Whitney been orchestrating behind her back? Elaine had initially thought the hotel incident was just a form of covert revenge. But now, to think that Whitney had the audacity to threaten Ludwik and use his influence to pressure the jail… It was as though she was using his power to slap Elaine in the face. The thought of it made her blood boil.

“Elaine.” Ludwik’s voice sharpened, suddenly filled with suspicion. “How did you know I helped her visit the jail? Were you aware of Keegan’s case?” Whitney had mentioned several times that Keegan’s situation was somehow connected to Elaine. At the time, Ludwik had dismissed it, but now, he was starting to take it seriously.

Caught off guard by his question, Elaine scrambled for a response. She quickly masked her unease with a resigned tone. “I wasn’t following the case closely. If my subordinate hadn’t come to me, I wouldn’t have even known about Keegan’s crime. It turns out he killed a relative of my subordinate’s family—a tragedy that left them devastated. They feared Keegan might get bail and begged me to use the Bartels family’s influence to ensure justice. I felt for their situation, so I decided to help.”

Elaine rushed to justify the Bartels family’s involvement, knowing that Ludwik could easily figure out that blocking jail visits to Keegan was, in fact, illegal.

But before she could say more, a mocking laugh echoed through the room.

“Elaine is so righteous!” Whitney’s voice, dripping with sarcasm, rang out. “Using the Bartels family’s influence over a mere subordinate’s family tragedy, preventing my uncle from speaking out by locking him in solitary confinement… What’s your relationship with this subordinate that you’re willing to break the law for him?”

Elaine froze, her expression faltering as she turned to face the approaching figure.

Ludwik’s gaze locked onto Whitney as she stepped forward, her words landing like sharp daggers.

Elaine hadn’t expected Whitney to appear so suddenly. Her question was a direct blow, causing Elaine’s face to shift into an expression of barely contained shock.

Ludwik, too, understood the weight of Whitney’s words. His narrowed gaze shifted back to Elaine, eyes filled with suspicion. Elaine, feeling the full weight of his stare, instinctively retreated behind Ludwik, her voice shaking with a mix of innocence and hurt. “Ms. Valentine, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just helping my subordinate remind the prison to be fair. I understand you want to protect your uncle, but he did commit a cruel murder. You can’t just slander the Bartels family like this.”

“Slander you?” Whitney laughed, her eyes gleaming with mockery. “Where’s your ever-present subordinate, Jaxon, today? Wasn’t the victim, Lyle, his uncle? I understand Jaxon’s anger and his keen interest in the case, but why has he suddenly left the country this morning? Could it be that my visit to the jail last night spooked someone guilty, forcing them to flee abroad?”

Elaine’s composed facade cracked. She hadn’t expected this turn of events. Ludwik, ever perceptive, noticed the incongruence in Whitney’s words and turned his gaze toward Elaine, waiting for her response.

Elaine struggled to maintain her composure. She tried to bluff her way through the situation. “Jaxon left the country? I had no idea! It must be related to the Bartels Hospital’s overseas business. Ms. Valentine, you’re overthinking this.”

Whitney’s smirk deepened as her gaze shifted toward Ludwik, her tone light but pointed. “Elaine, don’t take offense. But I have my doubts about my uncle’s case. How could a disabled man kill a strong truck driver? It doesn’t add up.”

Ludwik frowned, suddenly realizing he knew very little about Keegan’s case.

Whitney continued, unperturbed, “That’s why I’m pushing for a retrial. But Jaxon, as a relative of the victim, suddenly leaving the country raises some serious questions. He should be working with the police, right, Elaine?”

Elaine’s face paled as she quickly retorted, her voice as cold as ice. “Didn’t the police already conclude their investigation?”

Whitney’s eyes flashed. “That’s because the Bartels family pressured them. Considering Lyle’s connection to you, it certainly raises some eyebrows. For your sake, Elaine, I stopped Jaxon at the airport.”

Elaine’s breath hitched as she realized the gravity of the situation. Jaxon had been caught, and Whitney wasn’t going to let this go. Her mind raced, but there was little room to maneuver now.

Elaine, desperate to muddy the waters, tried to turn the tide. “Ludwik, Jaxon’s tied up with urgent matters, and Ms. Valentine is holding him against his will. This is an outrage and outright bullying.”

Whitney suddenly looked up, her gaze shifting from Elaine to Ludwik. “Then Mr. Lippert, as an outsider, what’s your take on this?”

Elaine had assumed Ludwik would back her without question, but his indifferent expression made her stomach tighten. He wasn’t taking sides yet.

Ludwik glanced at Whitney and then back at Elaine, his voice steady but firm. “Elaine, Jaxon needs to stay in the country. Him trying to leave now looks like he’s running from the law. If the Bartels family is innocent, you have nothing to worry about. The police will sort it out.”

“But…” Elaine began to protest, but Ludwik silenced her with a wave of his hand.

The implication was clear—Whitney had turned the case around, and Ludwik’s influence was enough to make sure Jaxon and Elaine wouldn’t be able to escape any further scrutiny.

Elaine’s heart sank, her face draining of color as she fought to maintain her composure. She gave Whitney a forced smile, trying to mask the fury that was rising within her. “Innocent until proven guilty. The Bartels family has nothing to hide. Ms. Valentine, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Ludwik, I’m starving. Let’s grab some dinner!”

At that moment, Felix approached, his expression troubled. “Mr. Lippert, the best table by the window has been reserved.”

Before anyone could respond, Bryce, with his tall, imposing frame, walked over and casually took Whitney’s wrist. “Come on, the Garden Room is all set, just waiting for you.”

Whitney turned to smile at him, the warm connection between them palpable.

Elaine’s stomach churned as she realized that the best table, the one she had been hoping for, had already been claimed. Felix froze, a chill spreading through the room.

Ludwik’s gaze darkened as he muttered, “Felix, offer the owner a million! I want that table.”

Whitney frowned at the unexpected demand. Was this the trouble of dealing with a jealous man?

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