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.

you and Elaine, could

Elaine is the legitimate heiress. I’m just from a side branch, not

entanglement with Ashton was far more complicated than

When Valerie was a child, her parents did business in Banyan City and were

but one day, they claimed her mother and Ashton’s father had an affair, which Ashton’s mother, Matilda,

also carried Valerie’s younger brother, and it ended in a devastating crash. Valerie’s parents died, and her brother

was left crippled.

Chapter 119

took Valerie from Emperor City to the Fullers to raise her.

was now. He knew Valerie was innocent, so he pampered her as a sister, In contrast, Nolan was hostile towards

had a sister who was always with him, like a little shadow.

had lost her parents, at

from

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

found a young Ashton

saved Ashton had become Elaine.

turned to disdain and misunderstanding. He fell

Nolan, who had always disliked her, became

pain and bitterness, her slender fingers clenching the glass, a wry laugh escaping her lips.

photo on her phone. “Valerie,

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

exchanged a look.

blurting out, Whitney questioned, “Is she also the person Ashton invited international judges to help?” “Exactly,” Valerie confirmed without a doubt. “He called Elaine after

heart, an answer

competition, Elaine who was the powerful force behind Yvonne! Although Whitney had suspicions, Valerie’s confirmation solidified the truth, a sharp chill sweeping through her.

had laid her plans far too early, long before

someone with clout bore a grudge against her, but she could not pinpoint who it might be. Now, as recent events came together in her mind, a chill ran down her spine. Perhaps the inmates who had attacked her in jail

hell–bent on causing Whitney to miscarry. Clenching her

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