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,

squarely, her demeanor cold. If he dared to defend Elaine like he did that night, she would not hesitate

room?” Ludwik’s voice

shivered. “Hannah insisted on

making Hannah tremble with

but if you had thrown that

left Hannah shaking,

defense. Was this jerk actually taking her side

23:36

Chapter 87

her no mind and strode into the room, sitting on the central sofa with an

distaste, “Who even invited you here? I’m warning you, don’t mess

brash cousin

narrowing further at Whitney, whom she saw as nothing

than a seductress.

tense silence, guiding 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 Bro and

tone seemed genuine, and Ludwik looked

settled

her hand, and coldly declined the seat next to the man, “Why

darkened at

felt the

I thought after all this time, you might

over, only served to make Ludwik

hold back her contempt, “Elaine, why bother being nice to

counter Hannah’s remark. His expression remained inscrutable, his presence chilling the

downtrodden with eyes that hid her true feelings. Whitney understood–her earlier rejection of Elaine’s

as she heard L’s

nodded, “Bro, it’s natural for

really think she’s all that?” Hannah pushed

Whitney’s eye. His inscrutable gaze

nothing more.

Whitney watched as Hannah positioned herself before L, her gaze filled 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 worthy of being yours. Thankfully, the agreement

Whitney continued, Ludwik remained

bold step, Hannah sat

irritating woman,