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Chapter_256
The atmosphere in the room shifted, the tension palpable as Whitney slowly withdrew a small, sleek object from her bag. The crowd, already abuzz with murmurs, fell into stunned silence, unsure of what was about to unfold. Ludwik’s gaze immediately snapped to the object, his jaw tightening as a flicker of recognition crossed his face. A knowing smirk tugged at the corners of Whitney’s lips, a look of quiet triumph settling on her features.
“You’ve made quite an accusation, Mr. Lippert,” she said, her voice cool and dripping with icy calmness. “But I wonder if you have all the facts. It seems the truth might be a little more… complicated than you think.”
With a slow, deliberate motion, she held the object up—a small recorder. The crowd collectively leaned in, their curiosity piqued. Ludwik’s eyes narrowed as he took a step forward, his body tense with barely contained fury.
“What is this?” His voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable undercurrent of anger lurking beneath his words.
Whitney’s smile never wavered. She pressed a button on the device, and with a soft click, it began to play a recording. The voice that filled the room was unmistakable—sharp and desperate. It was Elaine’s voice.
“Ludwik can’t know. He’ll never agree. But once Skye Gem Ltd. is mine, I can get rid of Whitney once and for all. We’ll both get what we want, won’t we? Just help me with the auction, and we’re set.”
The room fell into a stunned silence as the recording continued for several more seconds, then abruptly stopped. The crowd was still, frozen in disbelief.
Whitney’s gaze never left Ludwik. Her smile, now tinged with cruel satisfaction, never faltered. “I’m sure you recognize that voice, Mr. Lippert. After all, that was your precious fiancée plotting to take what rightfully belonged to me. Was she really the victim here? Or was she simply playing the role of the innocent while scheming behind your back?”
Ludwik’s face drained of color as the weight of the words hit him. His eyes flickered between Elaine and Whitney, his mind racing to piece everything together. He had trusted her. He had believed her. But now, the truth was inescapable.
Elaine’s breath hitched, her face contorting in panic and fury. “You… You can’t… You can’t prove anything!” she stammered, her voice cracking as she fought to regain control of the situation.
But it was too late. The damage was done. The crowd, which had once been sympathetic to Elaine, now looked at her with suspicion. Whispers rippled through the room as everyone realized the truth that had been hidden from them. No amount of spinning could undo the damage of what they had just heard.
Ludwik turned slowly to face Elaine, his eyes cold and filled with betrayal. When his voice came, it was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. “You lied to me.”
His words were simple, but the weight behind them was heavy. Trust, once broken, could never be fully repaired. Elaine’s heart sank as she realized the depth of his disappointment. The betrayal was not just hers, but his too.
Tears welled in Elaine’s eyes, but the fake innocence that had once been her shield no longer had any power. She tried to cling to her composure, but her voice cracked as she begged, “Ludwik, I… I can explain—”
“No,” Ludwik interrupted, his tone final, unwavering. “You’ve done enough explaining. I should have known better than to trust you.”
Without another word, he turned away from her, his gaze shifting to Whitney. Though his eyes still held a trace of coldness, there was something else there now—a begrudging respect for the woman who had outmaneuvered him at every turn.
Whitney met his gaze unflinchingly, her expression unreadable. “You wanted an apology, Mr. Lippert?” she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Here’s my apology: I won’t stoop to your level. Instead, I’ll simply take what’s mine. You can keep Skye Gem Ltd., but it’s no longer yours to decide who gets it.”
Ludwik clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling to the surface. But deep down, he knew the battle was lost. The power dynamics in the room had shifted completely, and there was no going back.
As the auctioneer hesitated before stepping forward to announce the transfer of ownership, Ludwik’s gaze lingered on Whitney. She had played him, outwitted him, and in that moment, she had won. The victory was hers, but it had come at a price—a price Ludwik wasn’t sure he was willing to pay.
Elaine, her earlier smugness replaced by desperation, reached out for him one last time. “Ludwik, please… You can’t let her win.”
But Ludwik didn’t even spare her a glance. His mind was already made up. He had seen enough.
Turning toward the podium, Whitney gave a final, triumphant smile. The room erupted into applause, but for her, this was just the beginning. The game was far from over, and as she stood there, a sense of anticipation filled the air. She had taken the first step, and the rest of the journey would be hers to shape.
