Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

hapter 99

The sting at the core of her chest was impossible to suppress.

Elaine nudged the brawny arm of the man beside her, “Bro, look who’s here–Whitney!”

Ludwik’s face stiffened, his deep–set eyes quickly turning cold and eager as they swept over the diminutive figure approaching them.

“JE IS

His gaze narrowed slightly, a flicker of astonishment passing through.

Whitney had not dressed up, simply wearing a black V–neck evening gown, no high heels, her hair soft and cascading down her shoulders. She stood there like a fairy, her delicate features stunningly beautiful, her skin smooth and almost translucent. A subtle pink blush adorned her cheeks, probably from her blusher.

Just standing there, she had already drawn the attention of numerous men.

Ludwik’s expression turned to ice. He had not seen her for days, and the image of her had thinned considerably.

Taryn mentioned she had not been eating well.

Seeing Ludwik transfixed, Elaine swallowed hard, her hand tightening into a fist.

“Bro, did Whitney come to see you? I’ll go check on her,” Elaine offered with a conspiratorial wink, suggesting she would help him gauge Whitney’s mood.

Ludwik’s approval was evident in his satisfied nod.

Elaine quickly approached Whitney, concern lacing her voice as she said, “Whitney, you finally made it. I was starting to worry about you and Bro. What’s going on?”

Whitney’s brows knitted in concern, but a hidden triumph gleamed in her eyes–she had not missed a thing.

Moving closer, Elaine continued, “Don’t worry, Bro’s been working these past few days with me. That night, he got drunk; it was me who took care of him all night. No other woman took advantage of him!”

Elaine’s playful smile was sharp, her eyes gleaming.

miss the hostility. Elaine was finally dropping her

man in the distance. She would

needn’t be jealous of anyone, especially you. He sees you as a sister. Besides, you might look after him for a day, but I’m the one who’ll be caring for him for a lifetime. We have endless

affection to count.”

Whitney. No misunderstanding, then. Bro’s over there; shall I take you to

eyes with Elaine, a cold laugh bubbling inside her. “Couples meet when they wish; no need to trouble

got the message loud and

Whitney was proving challenging to provoke. If Whitney had just slapped her, Ludwik would definitely give her

urged with feigned concern, “Bro, Whitney seems upset, unwilling to talk to me. Maybe you should go and charm

snapped to Whitney’s solitary figure. His face turned stormy, a cold laugh escaping him. “Am I out of my mind? That kind of fickle woman

Chapter 99

burned fiercely in him, especially for someone of his standing

could not tolerate any hint of

lifted at his response, her eyes shifting to

on Ludwik, having also spotted Whitney. Elaine whispered slyly, “Hannah, I’m only Big Bro’s date tonight to keep an eye out for you, but Whitney’s here, and his heart seems preoccupied with her. So, you might

so long for an event Ludwik would attend, and now Whitney was in

Hannah sneered, rallying her clique

crossed her arms, watching the scene unfold. Whitney might not fall for her tricks, but Hannah

advised her not to play hard to get,

someone shoved her from behind, spilling her drink onto the dress of a

did this?”

stumbled into the socialite. “What’s your problem? Looking for trouble, I see. Oh, you’re that disgraced Valentine heiress, aren’t you?” The woman’s displeasure was

“I’m sorry,

identify the culprit and, spotting Hannah, understood immediately. Her eyes darkened with

get Mrs. Wendt out of the way to cozy up to her husband?” Another

was most certainly

husband’s attempts to calm her futile. Convinced of the rumors about Whitney’s scandal, her jealousy was triggered by

“Ms. Valentine, still trying to seduce my husband? Oh, I’ve got plenty of stores under my family’s name, and I’ve heard you’re back at Skye Gem. Trying to trade favors for contracts, how shameless! Who let such a beaten

talk business, but it’s quite indecent to eye someone else’s husband. You might as well leave

had not forgotten how Whitney humiliated her in the club, and

scoffed at their antics, alone and unabashed, her

noticed the commotion at the party, but he was still chatting away with his buddy, cool as