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.

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

had saved her put a crack in

fine to me! Cozying up with another man in the restroom, no wonder

chilled upon hearing his

intentionally avoided leaving visible marks on her face, concealing the

Was he blind?

his child, terrified, slandered, sitting motionless

he did at that charity

he didn’t show

1/2

12.16

made to him? He didn’t

his

it, the pent–up emotions and tension of the night, all

her eyes as she exclaimed, “Yeah, I’m fine, your baby’s fine too! I’m not in pain at all. I was so busy in the restroom, busy vomiting

first bout of morning sickness, and she wanted to share

was late, and then he misunderstood

a socialite. She had never experienced

how I felt in despair. I don’t 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 shoulder to shoulder, a cold

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

nothing important.” His voice was dark and mocking,

move because of

turned coldly and

concern, pleading, “Bro, Whitney looks weak.

spun around, his gaze a storm as he

Whitney a nurse?”

get a nurse. Let her fend for herself!” Ludwik’s

nothing

he not see the

with pain and a coldness in her heart, she supported herself against the wall and

reluctance, but he knew staying would only

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

her petite face looking even more fragile in the

room was as silent

by L’s cruelty, Whitney couldn’t comprehend why he would neglect