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Chapter_175
The words on the screen hit Whitney like a punch to the gut, each passing second making her heart sink deeper. The news footage showed Orion standing at the front of a sleek conference room, shaking hands with various shareholders. His demeanor was flawless, confident, and polished. The title “New CEO of Imperial Gem Corporation” flashed across the screen in bold letters, followed by shots of the room filled with reporters eagerly snapping pictures. The image was clear, a stark symbol of a power shift, and Whitney’s world felt like it was slipping further out of her control.
“Orion… CEO?” Whitney murmured softly, the words tasting foreign on her tongue. It was a title she never could have imagined for him, especially considering the tangled mess her life had become. How had everything changed so drastically?
Beside her, Valerie could see the shock on Whitney’s face, the way her entire body seemed to freeze in disbelief. Valerie knew exactly what this moment meant—not just for Whitney’s relationship with Ludwik but for the fragile web of alliances that had once seemed so unbreakable. Valerie didn’t need to ask if she was okay; she knew the answer. This was no ordinary revelation. It was a reminder of how far they had all fallen—and how little they could control anymore.
“How… how could he leave now?” Whitney whispered under her breath, her voice trembling with a mix of pain and confusion. She wasn’t speaking to Valerie, not really. The question was directed inward, a painful thought she could barely process. It wasn’t just the fact that Orion had taken control of the corporation—no, it was the feeling of abandonment, of being left in the wake of a decision that had nothing to do with her. What did this mean for Ludwik? And for her?
Valerie, watching Whitney closely, knew that this revelation stung more than it appeared. It wasn’t just the blow to her trust in Ludwik or the cruelty of the situation—it was the realization that Ludwik had been pushed aside, as if he no longer mattered in the grand scheme of things. Valerie had witnessed firsthand how hard Whitney had fought to save him, to protect him from the chaos that surrounded them. And now, it seemed like everything was falling apart.
“Whitney, listen to me,” Valerie said gently, her voice soft but firm, trying to offer some semblance of comfort. “You have to understand… Ludwik is in a fragile state, both mentally and physically. This… this is his way of regaining some control, however small it may seem. The pressure from the outside world, the public scrutiny—everything became too much for him to handle. He needed to step away, to protect himself, and Elaine was there to do that for him. I know it’s hard, but right now, that’s all he needs.”
Whitney’s fists clenched, her nails biting into her palms as the bitterness welled up inside her. The room felt as though it was closing in on her. She could barely breathe through the wave of helplessness that rushed over her. She had tried so hard, fought with everything she had to reach Ludwik, and now—now it felt like it was all for nothing. The woman who had once been so central to her world—Elaine—was still twisting everything, making sure Whitney would never get the truth through to Ludwik.
“Elaine…” Whitney spat the name as if it were a poison on her tongue. “She’s going to use this against me, isn’t she? She’ll twist everything, claim victory over me… and Ludwik… There’s nothing I can do to stop it, is there?”
Valerie didn’t know how to answer that. She wished she could promise Whitney that everything would be okay, but she couldn’t. The situation was too complex, and too many pieces were still in motion. Instead, Valerie simply placed a hand on Whitney’s shoulder, a silent gesture of solidarity.
“Whitney, please,” Valerie began again, her voice a mixture of concern and caution. “Don’t let her get to you. I know this feels like the end, but it’s not. You’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out. You still have people on your side.”
But Whitney didn’t feel comforted by the words. She shook her head, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts, all of them tangled and painful. The longer she thought about it, the more she realized that Ludwik—her Ludwik—was slipping further and further away, caught in a web of lies spun by Elaine. The more Whitney tried to fight for him, the more it seemed like he was becoming unreachable, as if every word she said only pushed him farther into Elaine’s grasp.
“I can’t let her win,” Whitney said suddenly, her voice hardened, like a blade forged in the fire of determination. She stood up abruptly, the fire in her eyes unmistakable. “I’m not done yet. Not by a long shot.”
Valerie watched her with concern, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in Whitney’s renewed resolve. “What do you mean?” she asked, though she had a sinking feeling she already knew the answer.
“I’m going to find Ludwik,” Whitney declared, her voice steady and full of purpose. “I’m going to show him the truth—everything Elaine has done. I’ll make him see what’s really happening. I won’t let her tear us apart without a fight.”
There was a long pause as Valerie studied Whitney, her gaze full of caution. She knew what this meant. This wasn’t just about trying to save Ludwik anymore. It was about reclaiming control, about unearthing the lies that had been buried for so long. And that was a dangerous path to walk. But despite the danger, Valerie knew there was no stopping Whitney now.
“Be careful, Whitney,” Valerie said softly, her voice laced with concern. “This isn’t just about you and Ludwik anymore. There’s a lot at stake, especially now that Orion is in charge.”
Whitney didn’t respond immediately. She didn’t need to. The fire in her eyes said everything. She was already making plans, already plotting her next move. Whatever the cost, whatever the risk, she wouldn’t let Elaine have her way. She wouldn’t let Ludwik stay lost in the darkness.
“Don’t worry about me, Valerie,” she said, her voice unwavering. “I’m going to make sure Ludwik knows the truth.”
With that, she turned towards the door, her mind focused on the uncertain path ahead. There would be no turning back. This was the fight of her life, and no matter what it took, Whitney was ready to face it head-on.
