Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 87

Elaine murmured under her breath, Hannah, how can you be so rude to Whitney? Whitney, get up. You’ll catch a cold

She sauntered over, her steps unhurried as she helped Whitney to her feet.

Hannah’s temper flared, “Elaine, why do you even bother with her? She’s beneath us.

You think you’re something special, Whitney? Everyone knows you only got with Big Bro because you had a scheme up your sleeve. In a year, you’ll be out on your ear. For someone as manipulative as you, I’m just giving you what you deserve on behalf of him.”

As she spoke, Hannah lifted her glass again, ready to unleash another wave of her fury.

“Hannah! Your brother asked me to look after Whitney. What on earth are you doing?” Elaine’s voice was tinged with exasperation.

Mentioning Nolan only stoked Hannah’s jealousy as she eyed Whitney’s stunning features.

Whitney merely glanced at Elaine, her eyes conveying a story of their own.

But as Hannah’s drink came flying, Whitney was done playing nice. In a flash, she twisted Hannah’s wrist, redirecting the assault, and doused her with the contents of the glass.

“Aah!” Hannah was caught off guard, her head soaked and chilled, the glass rattling against her scalp.

Screams echoed in the private room, but they were soon interrupted by footsteps and a commotion at the door. “What’s going on?” Nolan burst in first, taken aback by the scene before him.

Whitney turned at the sound and saw L, a towering figure in a crisp black shirt and slacks, his presence dominating the room.

He wore a silver mask, its intricate design throwing shadows across his face in the dim light, only his piercing gaze visible, ensnaring Whitney instantly. She felt her heart flutter, her face paling at the sight of him after

days apart.

Ludwik’s gaze lingered on her, locking onto hers with a palpable intensity.

Elaine noticed the exchange, the longing and heat in the man’s eyes, and pressed her lips.

Hannah, spotting Ludwik, lit up and ran to the imposing figure, pointing an accusing finger at Whitney, “Big Bro! This woman dared to throw her drink at me! She actually thinks she’s your wife, treating me like dirt. You have to stand up for me!”

Her sobbing was an act of pure melodrama.

to Whitney, his expression

Elaine like he did that night, she

there alcohol in this room?” Ludwik’s voice was icy as he addressed

manager shivered. “Hannah

making

at you, but if you had thrown that drink on her, my child

words left Hannah shaking, disbelief etched on

defense. Was this

23:36

Chapter 87

no mind and strode into the room, sitting

you

brash

Hannah retorted, her eyes narrowing further at Whitney, whom she saw as nothing

than a seductress.

Whitney to sit beside Ludwik, her voice gentle. “The little spat with Hannah was just a misunderstanding. Let’s not get worked up, everyone. Whitney, come sit by

genuine, and Ludwik

eyes settled

Elaine, shrugged off her hand, and coldly declined the

expression darkened at

Nolan felt

at a loss, “I’m sorry, Whitney. I thought after all this time, you

words, meant to smooth things over, only served to make Ludwik look worse. His eyes turned

could not hold back her contempt, “Elaine, why bother being nice to her?

Hannah’s remark. His expression remained inscrutable,

that hid her true feelings. Whitney understood–her earlier rejection of Elaine’s gesture was a test. The reaction had provoked

faint smirk as she heard L’s low command,

natural for

that?” Hannah pushed past

Whitney’s eye. His inscrutable gaze was hard to read,

nothing more.

with admiration and scorn, “Big Bro, I can’t understand how you ever fell for such a woman. No family background, a tarnished reputation… Her child isn’t

humiliation of Whitney continued, Ludwik remained indifferent

bold step, Hannah sat

woman, but his