Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 124

Whitney’s brow twitched as she answered the phone with a hint of unfamiliarity, “Ashton?”

His tone was icy. “Are you free? Come down for a chat!”

Whitney paused, then suddenly stood up and went to the window. Sure enough, outside the villa was a luxury car with its headlights flashing.

This Ashton seemed to be related to L, but she did not know him. What was there to talk about?

The man’s approach was aggressive, and Whitney was on guard. She thought about calling L but decided she did not want to seem overly dependent.

Instead, she confided in her friend Tiana before changing her clothes and going

Ashton took her away without a word, just one contemptuous glance.

going downstairs.

That one glance was enough for Whitney to sense trouble. Coupled with what Valerie had told her about Ashton’s fondness for Elaine, Whitney’s impression of the man soured.

Ashton led her to a coffee shop, and once they were seated under the bright lights, Whitney sized up the handsome man before her.

He was almost as tall as L, but where L was composed and refined, Ashton had a roguish air about him. His demeanor was entirely different from his brother Nolan’s flirtatious charm. It was clear he was dangerous.

With his hands in his pockets, he started on an unfriendly note. “Ms. Valentine, a woman should have some conscience. Why are you bullying Elaine?”

Whitney was taken aback, but then she chuckled, guessing what he was about to say next.

“Did Elaine run to you with her woes?” Whitney clasped her hands together. “You seem quite protective of her.”

“That’s none of your business,” Ashton replied, his impression of Whitney far from good.

“You’ve already snatched L, even if it’s just for a year. For someone from your modest background, that should be enough. Keep your claws retracted. Do you even know, what Elaine means to him? What right do you have to frame her?”

first.

believe you! You and Valerie are besties, right? Ganging up on Elaine, bullying her, do you find that amusing?”

were

laughter, but then she understood why Valerie had been so unhappy since

of life, now

was so protective of Elaine; He did not love Valerie and might even

Elaine. Even with her heart elsewhere, she had Ashton wrapped around her finger.

many things to try and make

with ulterior motives. Ms. Valentine, do you know you’ve usurped Elaine’s love? She was the

as if struck by lightning..

did he just say?

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it were not for you, they would eventually marry. You know she learned jewelry design

go? Ha, in a year, he’ll have to marry Elaine. You, a child–bearing woman, had better not delude yourself. They are the real couple!”

his tirade. Whitney fell silent, her heart

L’s fiancée, with a formal engagement. Why did he lie to

like an idiot.

berate her, calling her the mistress.

remember how she left the coffee shop.

the villa; she went straight to Tiana’s house. The blow was too much; she could not digest it and did not want to face

cold. He stood up and made a call, his tone suddenly softer. “Elaine, don’t be upset. I’ve made things clear to Whitney. She seems genuinely unaware of your status, but

are you so impulsive? By confronting Ludwik,

us?” Ashton was unconcerned. “Get

up, Elaine’s feigned weakness vanished, replaced by

Banyan City’s top socialite, she would not cling

indeed done her a huge

his work and returned to

in his

called her number with a grim face, but she did

had been so obedient