Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 65

Ludwik frowned and turned to look over.

Whitney stared into Elaine’s eyes, and now, Elaine gazed back with nothing but friendly warmth in her smile. The provocative coquettishness of the afternoon was nowhere to be seen.

Whitney looked at the man with suspicion, “L, what exactly is your relationship with Elaine? Why is she calling me Whitney?”

Elaine glanced at the man with a blink and a teasing smile.

Ludwik glanced at Elaine, and after a barely noticeable pause, he introduced her to Whitney, “She’s like a sister to me!”

“Like a sister?” Whitney raised an eyebrow, her expression inquisitive.

“Yeah,” the man said indifferently, “what did you think?”

Hearing his dispassionate introduction, a tightness formed in the back of Elaine’s eyes. Her fingers curled slightly, yet she flashed a bright, broad smile, “Whitney, I’m sorry about this afternoon. I was just playing along with Bro in a little act. It was all to help him out. I hope there are no hard feelings. Can you forgive and forget?”

Elaine’s demeanor was playful and seemingly harmless.

Whitney’s eyes shifted, and she laughed off the awkwardness, “So, you’re like a sister, huh? Well, Elaine, it’s nice to meet you! L has never mentioned you so I didn’t recognize.”

A sly glint crossed Elaine’s eyes, but she kept her tone light and smiling, “I guess I’m not worth mentioning. His heart is all for you, a true example of placing love before friendship.”

“Nonsense,” Ludwik scolded with a frown, but his eyes smiled at Elaine as he said softly, “Elaine, thank you for today.”

“It’s nothing, glad I could help you both,” Elaine said sweetly, then added, “Whitney, I was really worried about your belly when you pushed me. Everything’s okay, right?”

Whitney, feeling a bit embarrassed by the concern, replied, “I’m really sorry about earlier.”

The man wrapped an arm around her waist and looked her over closely, “Elaine was only trying to protect you. She was even falling to the ground, and there you were, pulling her hair out. Why you had such fierce combat skills?”

Whitney’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Elaine smiled generously. The man knew that she was helping him out, that she was careful with Whitney and his unborn child, seeing her as an understanding and harmless woman.

of this was so

“Alright, I’ll make my exit

assistant knocked on the door urgently, “Sir, the matriarch is back from the spa and is having some difficulty

What?

was here

smile, “I was with my mother at

expression softened. She was feeling

just next door. The room was so close that nothing untoward could have happened between L

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Chapter 65

gasping for

immediately went to her, checking Natalie’s wrist and recognizing the signs of oxygen deprivation and cardiac distress in the old

turned to retrieve her medical bag from her room when she caught Ludwik’s eye and remembered

walked in briskly with a first–aid kit,

as he pulled Whitney away, “Elaine, check

quickly kneeling down to check the old

that Elaine was also

breathing started to ease, and slowly her eyes fluttered

you awake now?” Elaine asked, holding her hand with tender care, “I haven’t visited you in so long. Although you are still

a long moment before smiling, “Elaine, what brings

I am usually busy fulfilling my duties at the

saving your life,” Ludwik interjected gently; his brows were knitted together as he reminded

her son but her demeanor towards Elaine was cool and polite, “Thank

can do!” Elaine replied cheerfully while soothing the old

noticed that Natalie withdrew her

lit up with a smile, “Whitney! Are you here

he tell you?” Whitney glanced at

her son a look before beckoning, “Whitney, come

Whitney walked over

down onto the

had been kneeling in front of the couch, began to pack