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Chapter_123
Whitney’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of Ashton’s voice. She hadn’t expected to hear from him—not after everything that had transpired between their families. She straightened up on the carpet, gripping the phone tightly.
“Ashton?” Her voice was cautious, guarded. She had no idea what he wanted or why he was calling.
“Ms. Valentine, I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time,” Ashton’s voice was smooth, almost too polished. There was an underlying tension in his words that she couldn’t ignore. “I believe we need to have a conversation.”
A wave of suspicion washed over Whitney, but she masked it with a calm facade. “What’s this about?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard all the rumors about me and Elaine,” Ashton continued, his tone taking on a more serious edge. “I’d like to set the record straight. There are things about our past, things Elaine hasn’t been truthful about, and I think you deserve to know.”
Whitney’s mind raced. She was aware of the complicated history between Ashton and Elaine, but she had no idea what he was referring to now. She hesitated, weighing her options. Was this another manipulation tactic, or was there some truth in his words?
“What do you mean?” Whitney finally asked, her voice steady but full of questions.
“I think you’re being misled by Elaine. She’s been playing both sides for a long time. And, truth be told, I’m not the man she’s made me out to be,” Ashton said, the sincerity in his voice impossible to miss. “You deserve the truth, and I’m here to give it to you, if you’re willing to listen.”
Whitney glanced out the window, feeling a sharp pang in her chest. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this conversation was the beginning of something much more complex than she had anticipated.
“I’m listening,” she said cautiously, her eyes narrowing as she awaited his next words.
“I know what you’re thinking. I know how this all looks,” Ashton continued, his tone softening. “But you need to understand—Elaine has been manipulating everyone. Including me. And I’ve let her.”
Whitney’s pulse quickened as Ashton’s words began to sink in. She had always sensed there was something off about Elaine’s relationship with him, something beneath the surface, but hearing it from Ashton himself was another matter entirely.
“What exactly are you trying to say, Ashton?” Whitney asked, her voice now firm with suspicion. “Are you trying to make me feel sorry for you? Or are you actually telling me the truth?”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Ashton spoke again, his voice lower now. “I’m telling you the truth. I was never the one Elaine claimed I was. And the reason she’s been so focused on you and Ludwik—it’s not just about business. She wants something else. Something I’m not sure you’ve fully understood yet.”
Whitney clenched her jaw. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, trying to piece together what Ashton was saying. She didn’t trust him entirely, but a part of her knew that whatever he was saying wasn’t completely unfounded.
“Why should I believe you?” she asked, the question hanging heavily in the air.
“Because I’ve seen Elaine’s true face. I’ve seen the lies she’s built her life on. And I won’t be a part of it anymore,” Ashton replied, the weight of his words hanging between them. “What she’s done to Ludwik, what she’s done to you—it’s all part of her game. You’re not just a target to her. You’re a pawn.”
Whitney’s mind buzzed. She had known Elaine was manipulative, but this… this was something else. She glanced at her phone, feeling the familiar weight of the battle ahead.
“Why are you telling me this now?” Whitney asked, her voice now steady, though her heart was pounding. “What’s in it for you?”
“Nothing,” Ashton said quickly. “I just want to help you. I want to help stop her before she ruins more lives.”
Whitney was silent for a moment, processing his words. She wasn’t sure she trusted Ashton completely, but the idea that Elaine had deeper motives—motives she hadn’t fully understood—stirred a new kind of determination in her.
“I’ll think about it,” she said finally. “But you need to understand—I’m not doing this for you, Ashton. I’m doing it for Ludwik and our child.”
“I understand,” Ashton replied, his voice softer now. “Just know that I’m here to help if you need it. And I’m not the enemy here.”
Whitney didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she hung up the phone and sat in silence, staring at the screen. She didn’t know what to make of Ashton’s confession, but one thing was certain—Elaine was no longer just a rival to her. She was a threat.
She stood up slowly, determination setting in. Whatever game Elaine was playing, Whitney was done being a pawn. It was time to take control of the situation once and for all.
As she walked out of her bedroom, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Tiana: “Don’t trust Ashton completely. He’s still playing his own game. Be careful.”
Whitney’s lips pressed into a thin line. Tiana’s warning echoed in her mind as she made her way down the hall. She couldn’t ignore the truth in those words—everyone had their own agenda. But Whitney was done being manipulated.
It was time to stop Elaine once and for all. And this time, she would be the one holding all the cards.
