Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 123

Whitney headed over to the cottage to join Natalie for dinner. Natalie seemed to be over the moon all day. probably after catching a glimpse of the ultrasound picture, her grin so wide it barely fit her face. She looked at Whitney, almost bursting with excitement, as if she had the most wonderful news but could not share it. Whitney was puzzled. It was just a baby, was it not? Natalie was acting like she was expecting twins or something, she was so ecstatic.

Elaine was in her apartment, waiting silently for dusk to fall.

Then she called Ashton.

No matter when she reached out, this man would appear at a moment’s notice.

She had basked in his affection and love for years, feeling utterly entitled. So what if Valerie had schemed and married him? She was nothing but a pitiful worm.

As expected, hearing Elaine’s voice laced with sobs, Ashton immediately said he would come over.

Elaine hung up with a smirk, calculating the time. She sipped a few glasses of red wine, and then the doorbell

rang.

It was Ashton, having a run–in with the security guard outside.

Ludwik’s security guard could not stop Ashton, which was precisely why she had concocted this plan.

Elaine quickly tugged at her neckline, creating a picture of disarray, and with a loud crash, she smashed a wine glass.

At the sound, Ashton kicked the door open with his long legs.

The man in a light gray coat entered with an air of cold authority. “Elaine!”

He brusquely lifted the staggering woman. Elaine looked up at him with a half–smile and teary eyes. “Ashton, you came.”

“How could you drink so much? Don’t you know your stomach is delicate?” Ashton’s brows furrowed in concern. Her eyes, mysterious and filled with hurt, looked at him as tears quickly followed. “You always remember about my stomach, Ashton. Ludwik, he knows nothing. After all these years, I’ve been nothing but open–hearted to him, yet he chose to believe Whitney’s few words instead. He fired me today, and I’m just… really upset.”

She wept pitifully, and Ashton’s handsome face turned frosty. “You’ve been hurt by him again. What has Ludwik done this time? That Whitney, I’ve told you not to be too kind–hearted. Not everyone appreciates it. You’re just too good–hearted.”

slightly, knowing exactly how to project an

man.

seeds about her helping Whitney in

she was nothing short of a goddess.

Even though she

that. That woman is full of schemes. Haven’t her plots against you been numerous since you were. kids?” Ashton’s voice was cold when

a chance to trouble Valerie.

that you. helped me bribe international judges. Because of that, Whitney misunderstood that

but still, I almost gave up when Whitney and he had their fake marriage. Yet she keeps

I was Ludwik’s fiancée by right! Whitney stole my love. I’ve already retreated, yet

voice trailed off in a sob.

and Valerie are cut from the same cloth. I heard they are

You should’ve stood your ground. After a year, Ludwik was supposed to marry you.”

a mask of woeful sorrow, “Ludwik is keeping it a secret from Whitney. He told us not to say a

That bastard, he’s even hiding your status? What kind of man does that? Is he completely

expression darkened, feeling the injustice on Elaine’s behalf.

Elaine was his fiancée, and Elaine did not dare defy Ludwik. Parker and Nolan would

Whitney remained unaware of Elaine’s true identity.

he coldly called her

pretending to be the sister, waiting to take Whitney down once

of her being the fiancée had to

who

set her sights on

F

he listened to her, adored her, and was always ready to

observed Ashton’s rising anger, delicately imploring, “Let it be. I can bear this grievance. Just don’t say anything to

suffer like this!” Ashton asserted, his face chilling,

Maybe I should have liked

his heart; he remembered how she had saved him from the icy depths of a glacier, risking

when she was so

gratitude close to