Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 80

Whitney trembled all over, chilled to the bone as if drenched by a bucket of ice water that stung her eyes and turned them red.

Her lips quivered, her face pale as death, not understanding why he was so furious with her. She was already exhausted.

She nodded weakly, a bitter laugh escaping her, “Fine, I’m despicable. I’m worn out. It’s been too much tonight, and I have no desire to argue with you anymore–especially since you’ve arrived so late.”

Bitterness spread from the tip of her heart, and a subtle ache proved more piercing than any physical wound.

“Bro, don’t stoop to his level, you’ve hurt your lip,” Elaine suddenly panicked, hurrying over.

Observing that Whitney didn’t turn to Ludwik but instead assisted Simon, Elaine knew tonight would be full of drama.

Suppressing her excitement, she worriedly helped Ludwik to his feet.

Ludwik’s gaze turned colder. Even Elaine, an outsider, knew to help him.

Was Whitney a complete fool to assist Simon instead?

His eyes fixed on the woman before him, and upon spotting the men’s sweater she wore, his temper flared again. He strode over, grabbed her arm without a word, and started tugging at her sweater, “Whose damn clothes are you wearing?”

“L, don’t touch me…” Whitney’s face grew paler still.

“I can’t touch you? Who can, him?” His anger swelled, his grip tightening on her wrist.

Whitney felt as if her arm would snap; the pain left her speechless.

“Have you lost your mind? Don’t lay a finger on her! Do you have any idea what… what happened to her in jail?” Simon tried to rise, his voice filled with rage.

Elaine stomped on Simon, cutting off his words with a yelp of pain. She rushed to Whitney’s side, her face etched with concern, “Bro, easy. Whitney might’ve been hurt in the lockup.”

Examining Whitney’s face, which was indeed pale, Ludwik detected no sign of injury.

His expression turned even colder. It was clear that Elaine was trying to cover for her.

Just a moment ago, they said she was merely shaken.

up with Simon in the restroom! His judgment clouded by rage, and he was

Simon had saved her put

another man in the restroom, no wonder she didn’t answer my calls!” Ludwik’s eyes were

upon hearing

two women in the holding cell intentionally avoided leaving visible marks on her

Was he blind?

child, terrified, slandered, sitting motionless in an interrogation room for hours without water,

he did at that

didn’t show

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12.16

first two calls she made to him? He didn’t answer

he arrived at his leisure,

it, the pent–up emotions and

her strength, Whitney shoved Ludwik aside. Tears welled at the corners of her eyes as she exclaimed, “Yeah, I’m fine, your baby’s fine too! I’m not

of morning sickness, and she wanted

He was late, and then

socialite. She had never experienced such humiliation

even want to ask what kept you so busy tonight. Why didn’t you answer my calls, why you were so late…” Her gaze swept past Elaine and him standing

did he bring his so–called sister on a business trip? Why did he bring his so–called sister when dealing with a personal

important.” His voice was dark and mocking, his face etched with anger, “Whitney, you’re just a

night he’d been on the move because of her, and it was all

coldly and

Whitney with concern, pleading, “Bro, Whitney looks weak. You can’t just leave her

kissing?” He spun around, his gaze a storm as he glanced

a nurse?”

allowed to get a nurse. Let her fend for herself!”

was left with nothing but a scornful

he not see

anything, not wanting to see him lose his mind. Shaking with pain and a coldness in

knew staying would only make things worse for

expression, he expressed concern for her, “Be careful. I’ll

petite face looking even more fragile in

as silent

slowly make her way back. No doctors came in, and her cup of water was now empty. Thirsty and bewildered by L’s cruelty, Whitney couldn’t comprehend