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.

this was so

my exit now. You two enjoy your time

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

What?

was here

Noticing her concerned look, he reassured her with a smile, “I was with my mother at the spa this

feeling a

out, they found that Natalie’s room was just next door. The room was so close that nothing untoward

12:12

Chapter 65

entered the room, she saw the old lady leaning on a couch, clutching her chest and gasping for breath. Her face was pale, her forehead was beaded with sweat, and her lips were

checking Natalie’s wrist and recognizing the signs of oxygen deprivation and

room when she caught Ludwik’s eye and remembered she had kept her

a moment, Elaine walked in briskly with a

as he pulled Whitney

more anxious than you are,” Elaine said with a smile, quickly kneeling down to check the old lady’s eyes and lips. She then took out some medication

that Elaine was also

lady’s breathing started to ease, and

holding her hand with tender care, “I haven’t visited you in so long. Although you are still looking young and beautiful, I should really start calling you

watched Elaine for a long moment before smiling, “Elaine, what brings you

business trip today. I am usually busy fulfilling my duties at the company,” Elaine

Elaine is saving your life,” Ludwik interjected gently; his

her son but her demeanor towards Elaine was

replied cheerfully while

that Natalie withdrew her

finally noticed Whitney, her face lit up with a

you?” Whitney glanced at the

her son a look before beckoning, “Whitney, come here. Has this

over

down onto

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