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. She tried to harm

Valerie are besties, right? Ganging up on Elaine,

were cold.

she understood why Valerie had been so unhappy since returning

eyes, once full of life, now held

so protective of Elaine; He did not love Valerie and

Even with her heart elsewhere, she had Ashton

did many things to try and make me

with ulterior motives. Ms. Valentine, do you know you’ve usurped Elaine’s love? She was the legitimate fiancée, betrothed to him years ago by their families.

went blank as if struck

he just say? Fiancée?

1/3

14.07

teens, silently by his side. If it were not for you, they would eventually marry. You know she learned jewelry

to him, not let go? Ha, in a year, he’ll have to marry Elaine. You, a child–bearing woman, had better not delude yourself. They

fell silent, her heart

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

like an

to berate her, calling her the mistress. Was she really?

did not remember how she left the coffee shop.

to Tiana’s house. The blow was too much; she could not digest it and did not

“Elaine, don’t be upset. I’ve made things clear to Whitney. She seems genuinely unaware of your

you so impulsive? By confronting Ludwik,

fights between us?”

up, Elaine’s feigned weakness vanished, replaced by a cold

that Whitney knew her status, Elaine was sure that with Whitney’s pride and image as Banyan City’s top socialite, she would not cling to Ludwik anymore. With Ludwik’s resolute nature, trouble

her

returned to the manor to

in

with a grim face, but

so obedient earlier.