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Chapter_224
The engagement party at Joyful Manor was nothing short of a spectacle—a glittering event that felt like an elaborate performance for the public’s consumption. Everywhere Whitney turned, the flashing lights of cameras caught her in their beam, searing the image of Ludwik and Elaine into her mind. The media coverage was relentless, broadcasting the opulence of the affair to every corner of the city. It felt as if the world was applauding the end of her chapter with Ludwik, sealing her fate in front of millions.
From her apartment, Whitney watched the broadcast, her chest tight with a dull ache that she couldn’t shake. There they were—Ludwik and Elaine, the golden couple. Smiling, holding hands, their love displayed like a perfect painting. The weight of reality sank deeper with each passing second. Ludwik had moved on. He had found his future, and it no longer included her.
As the image of them lingered on screen, Whitney’s heart dropped, but she tried to push the feeling away. She wasn’t going to let this define her. The words he had spat at her—those threats, that venom—no longer held any power over her. He had his life, and she was determined to have hers. Tomorrow would be her day. The engagement that had once been a tangled mess of lies and survival was now her reality, and despite the uncertainty, she would face it with her head held high.
She turned away from the screen just as Tiana entered, her gaze sharp as she immediately switched off the TV. The concern in Tiana’s eyes was palpable, and she didn’t need to say a word. Without hesitation, Tiana enveloped Whitney in a warm hug, her presence a reminder of the support that Whitney had always relied on.
“Why put yourself through this, Whitney?” Tiana asked softly, her voice filled with worry. “Elaine’s just flaunting it. She’s using her connections to rub it in. Don’t give her the satisfaction.”
Whitney tried to return the smile, but it faltered. She didn’t want to burden Tiana, not when her friend had always been there for her. “I’m fine,” Whitney reassured her, though her voice trembled slightly. “Honestly, I am. It’s just… finally, it’s over. I’ve let go.”
She sighed, feeling the weight of her decision settle into her bones. “I bought some baking equipment yesterday. After the baby comes, I want to try making purees. Would you help me experiment?”
Tiana’s face lit up at the suggestion, her eyes sparking with excitement. “Of course! The little one’s health is everything! I’ll even download a cooking app so we can make sure we get it right.”
Whitney laughed softly, the light moment a welcome distraction. For now, the future seemed to stretch out in front of her, full of possibility—even if it felt tangled in uncertainty.
Before long, Valerie arrived, as sharp-tongued as ever. She breezed into the room with her usual sarcastic flair, teasing Whitney about not attending the engagement party. The tension that had filled the space between them dissipated for a moment as they shared a laugh, but as Valerie and Tiana discussed the details of the event, Whitney’s mind kept drifting back to Elaine’s extravagant celebration.
Valerie’s bitterness was palpable as she threw out a pointed question. “How does Elaine manage to snag both Ludwik and Ashton? What does she have that we don’t?”
Tiana shrugged, though her curiosity was piqued. “Connections, wealth, charm—who knows?” she said, but her voice carried an edge. “That family’s a mystery, and so is Ludwik. I mean, what’s the deal with his uncle? I’ve heard they’re closer than they let on.”
Valerie’s sharp gaze lingered on the TV, her tone turning calculating. “Yeah, there’s something about the Bartels family that doesn’t sit right. Maybe Ludwik’s uncle knows more about the family’s dirty business than anyone realizes.”
Whitney’s mind wandered further, mulling over the intricate web of relationships and lies that had led her to this point. Elaine’s wealth, Ludwik’s family, and the mounting pressures surrounding them—everything felt like a puzzle with too many missing pieces.
Back at the Party…
Inside the grandeur of Joyful Manor, Ludwik’s discomfort was a stark contrast to the elegant scene around him. The laughter, the clinking glasses, the soft hum of conversation—none of it seemed to reach him. His gaze drifted through the room, restless, as if searching for something or someone. But the warmth of the party couldn’t soothe the cold knot forming in his gut.
Beside him, Jason Lippert, his uncle, stood unfazed by the spectacle. The older man’s calm demeanor only served to heighten Ludwik’s sense of unease. As the guests around them celebrated, Ludwik’s mind was far from the music, far from the clinking glasses. It was consumed with thoughts of a more pressing matter.
“Jason,” Ludwik said quietly, leaning in close. “I need your help with something. It’s… urgent.”
Jason glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “What is it, Ludwik? You’re looking like someone who just stepped into a lion’s den.”
Ludwik’s jaw tightened as he lowered his voice. “There’s an arrest warrant from Emperor City. I need it handled by tomorrow.”
Jason raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Who are you planning to take down?”
Ludwik’s gaze darkened, his words coming out like a whispered threat. “It’s for tomorrow.”
The weight of his words hung in the air, a chilling promise that nothing was as it seemed. Beneath the surface of the engagement party—beneath the smiles and the champagne—something far more dangerous was brewing. The arrest warrant was only the beginning.
And Ludwik, it seemed, was preparing to destroy anyone who dared to stand in his way.
