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.

the hostility. Elaine was finally dropping her harmless

distance. She would not be fooled. Elaine was trying to incite

she said, “With you taking care of him, I’m quite at ease. After all, L himself told me I needn’t be jealous of anyone, especially you. He sees you as a

affection to count.”

placid smile. “That’s wonderful, Whitney. No misunderstanding, then. Bro’s over there; shall

with insinuation–‘take her to him.‘ Whitney locked eyes with Elaine, a cold laugh bubbling inside her. “Couples meet when they wish; no need to trouble

message loud and

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

other plans. Returning to Ludwik, she urged with feigned concern, “Bro, Whitney seems upset,

to Whitney’s solitary figure. His face turned stormy, a cold laugh escaping him. “Am I out of

Chapter 99

especially for

tolerate any hint of flirtation or

at his response, her eyes shifting to Hannah, signaling her with a

into the crowd, intent 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

waited so long for an event Ludwik would attend, and now

deal with her!” Hannah sneered, rallying her

her arms, watching the scene unfold. Whitney might not fall

had advised her not to play hard to get, and she was ready to

spilling her drink onto the dress of a nearby

did

Looking for trouble, I see. Oh, you’re that disgraced Valentine heiress, aren’t you?” The woman’s displeasure

“I’m sorry, someone pushed

to identify the culprit and, spotting Hannah, understood

to cozy up to her husband?” Another socialite said. Whitney recognized

was most certainly

futile. Convinced of the rumors about Whitney’s scandal, her jealousy was

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

glee, stepping forward. “Ms. Valentine, it’s understandable you want to talk business, but it’s quite indecent to eye someone else’s husband. You might as well

humiliated her in the club, and Ludwik’s protection of Whitney fueled her

and unabashed,

but he was still chatting away with his buddy,