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.”

knowing exactly how to project an image

man.

her helping Whitney

was nothing short of a goddess.

intentions, I assumed everyone else was the 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

been numerous since

never missing a chance to trouble Valerie.

Whitney 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

I almost gave up when Whitney and he had their fake marriage.

to bully me? I feel so indignant. I was Ludwik’s fiancée by right! Whitney stole my love. I’ve

voice trailed off in

“Whitney is so vicious–no wonder she and Valerie are cut from the same cloth. I

stood your ground. After a year, Ludwik was supposed to

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

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

expression darkened, feeling the injustice on Elaine’s

which was why she had called him. Ludwik had once hidden from Whitney that Elaine was his fiancée, and Elaine did not dare defy

remained unaware of Elaine’s true

at Alpine Springs Resort, when he coldly

Whitney down once and for all. But now,

her being the fiancée had to be

Ashton, who always

sights on Ashton that afternoon.

F

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

heart laughed coldly as she quietly observed Ashton’s rising anger, delicately imploring, “Let it be. I can bear this grievance. Just don’t say anything to Whitney or Ludwik. Perhaps I’m not meant to marry Ludwik after all. It just hurts

this!” Ashton asserted, his face chilling, “Don’t worry, I’ll see justice done for you.”

“Having you say that means everything to me, Ashton. Maybe I should have liked you… If only I had not fallen for Ludwik

stir in his heart; he remembered how she had saved him from the icy

she was so

that gratitude close to