Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 119

Valene’s lips twisted into a wry smile, her gaze icy, “Nolan, who do you think Ashton is with right now? Isn’t it obvious?”

Nolan and Parker’s expressions darkened.

Whitney, ever perceptive, caught on that Ashton, Valerie’s husband, might be keeping company with another woman at this very moment..

And this woman might be someone Nolan and Parker both knew.

Was Valerie’s marriage unhappy?

Whitney pressed her lips slightly.

Furious, Nolan blurted out, “That bastard Ashton, I’ll take you to him.”

Valerie shook her head with a dark chuckle. “Forget it. I’m not in the mood to walk in on a steamy scene. That woman can turn it around on me even if I’m not involved. After all these years, if I can’t confront her, I can at least avoid her

Whitney’s head snapped towards Valerie.

Parker stood up, forcefully pulling Nolan with him. “Stop meddling in women’s affairs. It’s about time we brothers caught up.”

As Nolan left, his piercing gaze lingered on Valerie’s delicate face.

The three women sat down, and Tiana’s gossip–loving soul took over, staring at Valerie, “Valerie, I’ve noticed Nolan seems pretty concerned about you. Nolan and Ashton are brothers, right… Oh my God, I just remembered When I first met you, you said you had just moved out of the Fuller Mansion. You lived there for a decade, right? Jesus, the day you told me your husband was Ashton, it did not click in my dumb head. I was so surprised, but thinking about it now, you and Ashton, it was meant to be.”

Tiana’s eyes widened in shock, and so did Whitney’s. Valerie had such a connection with one of the top families, the Fullers?

Whitney knew Valerie even later than Tiana and was unfamiliar with her family background.

Suddenly, Whitney remembered something. Did Valerie just mention ‘Elaine?

A revelation hit her like a lightning bolt. The surname “Bartels‘ was not uncommon, but it had never occurred to her that Valerie and Elaine could share it.

“Valerie, you and Elaine, could you

distant look, “The Bartels of Emperor City are my kin, but Elaine is the legitimate heiress. I’m just from a side branch, not

with Ashton was far more complicated than just an

Nolan were half–brothers. When Valerie was a child, her parents did business in Banyan City

mother and Ashton’s father had an affair, which Ashton’s mother, Matilda, discovered. Convinced of their

in a devastating crash. Valerie’s parents died, and her brother went missing.

left crippled.

Chapter 119

Valerie from Emperor City to the Fullers to

knew Valerie was innocent, so he pampered her as a sister, In contrast, Nolan was

was

she had lost her parents, at least she still had Ashton’s warmth.

changed when Elaine from Emperor City entered the

day by the lake, young Valerie nearly lost her life saving a teenage Ashton, asking her distant sister. Blaine, to look after him while she changed clothes.

found a young Ashton blushing

Ashton had

visited Banyan City yearly, Ashton’s warmth towards Valerie turned to disdain and misunderstanding. He fell into love, blind to the malice and hypocrisy of a true

who had always disliked her, became

with pain and bitterness, her slender fingers clenching the glass, a wry

pulled up a photo on her phone. “Valerie, the Bartels heiress in Emperor City, Elaine,

glanced at the photo, recognizing the saintly facade of Elaine. “I’d know her even if she turned to ashes. Do you know her

Whitney exchanged a

to help?” “Exactly,” Valerie confirmed without a doubt. “He called Elaine after landing, mentioning that favor. There’s no one else he’d go out of his way for like that.”

an answer falling

powerful force behind Yvonne! Although Whitney had suspicions, Valerie’s confirmation solidified

Elaine had laid her plans far too

over counterfeit gems. The scale of the deceit suggested to Whitney that someone with clout bore a grudge against her, but she could not pinpoint who it might be. Now, as

she seemed hell–bent on causing Whitney to miscarry. Clenching her fists tightly,

can’t believe this bitch! Not only did she try to steal Whitney’s husband,