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.”

narrowed slightly, knowing exactly how to project an image

man.

been planting seeds about her helping Whitney in Ashton’s mind.

Ashton, she was nothing short of

same. I felt that way about Valerie, too. Even though she schemed to take you from me, I had no designs on you, and I never wanted to get in your way. I always wished you and her the best.”

against you been numerous since you were. kids?” Ashton’s voice was

a chance to trouble Valerie.

presented evidence, claiming it was Valerie who told her that you. helped me bribe international judges. Because of that, Whitney misunderstood that I was using Monica against her.

loved Ludwik so much, but still, I almost gave up when Whitney and he had

why do they have to bully me? I feel so indignant. I was Ludwik’s fiancée by

voice trailed off in

heart. “Whitney is so vicious–no wonder she and Valerie are cut

were too naive. You should’ve stood your ground. After

of that,” Elaine replied, her face a mask of woeful sorrow, “Ludwik is keeping it a secret from Whitney. He told us not to

kind of man does

expression darkened, feeling the injustice on

was his fiancée, and Elaine did not dare defy

Whitney remained unaware of Elaine’s true identity.

Resort, when he coldly called her his sister, Elaine’s heart ached.

to take Whitney down once

being the fiancée had to be revealed to

except Ashton, who

set her sights on Ashton

F

to her, adored her, and was always ready to

Just don’t say anything to Whitney or Ludwik. Perhaps I’m not meant to marry Ludwik after all. It just hurts to think

like this!” Ashton asserted, his face chilling, “Don’t worry,

have liked you… If

his heart; he remembered how she had saved

she

kept that gratitude close to his