Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Thea glared at the deed clenched in her hands, her knuckles whitening in silent fury.

Ludwik snatched his mother's deed, his demeanor as cold as ice as he shoved Thea aside. "The biggest mistake of my father's life was probably marrying you, a backstabbing harlot who's been messing around with Wade."

"What are you talking about, Ludwik?" The news of Thea and Wade's affair hadn't been made public.

They weren't blood relatives, but public opinion was still fiercely judgmental.

Ludwik coldly brushed her off. "My mother's loaded, just like Sammy said. She's a wealthy widow. Jealous much? She owns Everwood Villa Estate, so you better back off until Wade decides to buy you a fancy townhouse in Brew Hill. Security, I suggest you check if Thea even has an invitation. It's supposed to be one per person, right?"

With those words, he gave his mother a lingering look.

Natalie was both scared and furious. "Ludwik, don't be mad."

"I'll talk to you later!"

"Look, Ludwik, I don't know what's going on, but your mom did help us out a ton. Let's do this, you go enjoy the party, and I'll drive your mom home. It's not easy for her, coming all this way with her grandson, unfamiliar with everything here," Jason said, furrowing his brows in concern. Ludwik glanced at Sammy, full of questions, wondering if he was the one who helped Natalie snag Everwood Villa Estate. But Sammy didn't give him a chance to ask, walking off to the side.

Natalie looked visibly uncomfortable, a fact Jason noticed, touched by her unexpected bravery behind her timid exterior.

"Natalie, let's not bother Ludwik. I'll take you home," he said, his voice a bit awkward but his arm supportively guiding her.

Jason didn't even glance at Thea, his face showing disgust.

Thea watched, dumbfounded, as Jason escorted Natalie away, seething with jealousy. Natalie, that wretch, had somehow managed to charm Jason? Even though Thea had no claim on Jason anymore, it still stung to see him with someone else, especially with her child in tow.

With a mix of resentment and reluctance, she turned to see Ludwik entering the Wilson Manor and immediately called Wade.

The phone rang a few times before Wade answered, his voice lazy. "Thea, what's up?"

The sound of a woman's voice in the background, "Mr. Patrick, I'll head out then," made Thea's blood boil.

"Wade, what are you doing?" she snapped, her grip tightening on her phone.

"Just at the office, getting ready to head over with Jarvis. Anything odd at the party?"

Wade's calm lie didn't fool Thea.

"Wade, once relying on the Lippert family's support, loved me. But as soon as he brought them down, ascending to Harmonia Country's top spot, he started his affairs," Thea thought bitterly.

"Ludwik's at the party, and he has an invitation. You and Jarvis better handle it," she said, barely containing her rage. "Why does he have an invitation?" Wade's voice darkened. "I'll be right there. We can't let him win Phineas's favor."

The Wilson Manor was aglow with opulence, the air filled with the scent of expensive perfumes.

Whitney and Bryce, holding their invitations, stepped into the villa's grand hall, immediately noticing the gathering of discreet yet prominent figures. These weren't the usual Emperor City magnates but likely members of the presidential senate, the real power brokers of Harmonia Country. Among them, Ludwik stood out with his nearly 6'3" stature, his elegance and maturity accentuated by a formal black suit, a black shirt, and a perfectly knotted Windsor tie.

His chiseled features seemed sculpted by divine hands, making him the most striking presence there, even among a sea of men in similar black suits. Caught off guard by his gaze, Whitney quickly looked away, feeling guilty as she turned to Bryce, who seemed preoccupied with a group of elite politicians.

"Let's go say hi to Mr. Nelson," Bryce suggested, nodding towards Shane, who was engaged in conversation with a portly man.

"Sounds good," Whitney agreed, ready to mingle.

"Mr. Nelson," Whitney called out.

Shane turned, smiling at their approach. "Whitney, glad you could make it. Let me introduce you. This is Ronan, the Finance Minister and a close friend of tonight's host, Mr. Wilson. Ronan, meet my friend Whitney and her husband, Bryce."

"Pleasure to meet you, Ronan. I've heard so much about you!"

Bryce stepped forward ahead of Whitney, extending his hand with respect, "Ronan, good to meet you, I'm Bryce, the president of the Lutz Group." "Nice to meet you," Ronan replied with a slight nod, his demeanor cool and distant. His gaze shifted to Whitney, and he remarked, "Ms. Valentine, I've heard about you from Xavier. He mentioned you're quite the force to be reckoned with in the business world."

Whitney blushed, surprised, "Ronan and Mr. Nelson are?"

"Ronan's my mom's cousin," Shane answered.

A shadow crossed Bryce's face as he realized Shane was related to the Secretary of the Treasury!

Getting close to Whitney could really work in his favor, he thought.

Bryce smiled, "Mr. Nelson, given our great relationship, you don't need to keep praising Whitney. You should come over to my place more often; I'm quite the chef."

Shane frowned slightly, thinking their relationship wasn't that close, but he replied politely, "Sure thing.noveldrama

By the way, Ronan, now that all the guests are here, when will Mr. Wilson make an appearance?"

"Mr. Wilson prefers to keep a low profile and is quite serious. He might be observing all you young folks as we speak," Ronan said with a laugh, his words laced with respect for Phineas. "This collaboration with the Inko Group is about finding the most promising company. Tonight is sort of a test!"