Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 100

At that moment, Simon appeared from nowhere, grabbing Scarlett by the arm while she coldly glared at Whitney. “That crazy woman hit me! Simon!”

‘Scarlett, cut it out. Everyone’s watching, Simon said awkwardly, glancing at Whitney before pulling Scarlett

away.

Whitney caught the look on his face as he held Scarlett’s hand, realizing something. She had heard rumors about Simon dating high–profile socialites recently.

The commotion was swiftly halted by Bryce’s call for the security guards. As the younger Lutz heir, his status was undeniable, and not even Hannah dared to cross him.

Whitney, feeling disheveled, did not even notice Bryce’s suit jacket draped over her shoulders as she hastily touched the wound at the corner of her mouth. Looking up defiantly through the crowd, she searched for L’s figure, wondering if he intended to protect her.

But she saw L standing close to Elaine, their proximity suggesting intimacy as he held a wine glass with an air of elegance and aloofness, schmoozing with a company executive.

He had not spared her a single glance, as if his earlier gesture of turning around had been just Whitney’s imagination.

Her heart sank more than just a little.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Whitney’s eyes. Even if they were in a cold war, seeing her hassled by Hannah’s crowd and knowing she would be humiliated, he should at least have the decency to step in as her ‘husband. But his indifferent disregard was more than she could bear.

She shivered slightly, and Bryce, noticing the pale face beneath his suit, asked, “What’s wrong? Are you cold?”

“No… Mr. Lutz?” Whitney finally recognized him, a bit surprised, “What brings you to the Joyful Manor party?”

“I’m a businessman, too,” Bryce said with a raised eyebrow. Recalling her feisty exchange with those women, he could not help but smirk at her. “You sure have a sharp tongue!”

Lost in thought, Whitney managed a weak smile. “Thank you for earlier, Mr. Lutz.”

glances caught Ludwik’s attention, a chill spreading through

It was him

her rescue earlier, but it turned out Whitney had no shortage of

–

was not

frost, his presence bringing an icy chill to the surroundings, prompting the executive conversing with him to find

with a concealed

man adjusted his Windsor knot/feeling stifled, and with a cold expression,

crowd from the

0 8

a heavy burden, yet she was determined to seek a moment,to clear the

just be watching Elaine cozy up to him. A sharp resolve flashed in Whitney’s eyes. She could settle scores with L later, but she

saw him enter a lounge, the

door open, the scent of heavy smoke greeting her as she entered.

up,

sudden embrace caught Ludwik off guard. The darkness in his eyes swirled with ink

turned around, his icy gaze not yet resting on her face, when he noticed the man’s suit on

Ludwik’s expression darkened considerably.

her eyes pleading softly,

fair charm, thinking of how

eyes mocking. “Who said you could touch me? Don’t you know I

She had humbled herself after his cold indifference in the hall, hoping for

he insinuating that she was

fine just a while ago, and then you changed. Why are you angry for no reason? You’re leaving me at

terrifying in its expressionless mirth as he loomed closer. In one swift motion, he flung off the suit from her body, his voice rising in anger, “You think

have misunderstood that phone call

s