Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 126

The door was shut tight, and his towering frame pressed down upon the bed, engulfing Valerie’s petite face in his grasp. A mix of disgust and an uncontrollable desire to touch her surged through him as he began to peel away her clothing.

As her fair skin was exposed, the fire within him raged out of control–a fire certainly kindled earlier at Elaine’s apartment.

But he could not touch Elaine, so his hunger was redirected towards this woman.

He leaned in, ready to bite.

Valerie pushed him away coldly, her voice laced with biting sarcasm as she said, “You’re here to hassle me over Elaine, right? Hypocrite, you loathe me, so when did you start craving my body? Enjoyed it last time, didn’t you?”

Ashton’s face twisted as if she had stripped away his mask, a flash of embarrassment in his eyes. He grabbed her fiercely, his voice icy with mockery. “Don’t you get it? You’re just a stand–in. Even now, it’s her I’m thinking about.”

“Get off me!” Valerie could not stand it anymore.

Her heart felt like it was being pierced with a sharp spike.

“She’s so wonderful, why don’t you go to her? Didn’t Ludwik cast her aside?”

“If she had not been in love with Ludwik, do you think I would have married you?”

So, this marriage was just charity from Elaine?

A bitter smile crossed Valerie’s heart, her face growing colder. Suddenly, she laughed. “Good thing Ludwik isn’t as blind as you. You’re the only one who treasures that woman. You have no idea how evil she is!”

Ashton gripped her chin tightly, “And you think you have the right to talk about her? She risked her life to save me once, and when I asked you to get help, you did not.”

Looking into his cold eyes, Valerie suddenly lost the will to argue.

This was why Ashton hated her.

Back then, she had saved him, nearly freezing to death while getting him clothes.

But returning, she saw Elaine administering CPR to Ashton, and Elaine even slandered her, claiming she had delayed getting help.

That was when Ashton’s heart turned cold.

Valerie did not know just how malicious Elaine was in her targeting.

Valerie had tried to explain, time and again, that she was the one who saved him.

But there was something about explanations, the more you give, the more misunderstandings grow.

Ashton saw her as a selfish woman who left him for dead.

given

less about the

away forcefully, refusing to be tormented any longer. Then, suddenly, a

he feared that

smokes, why are you

no choice but to get

to kick him

Ludwik, a formidable

cold

an air of rebellion, but even he fell short in presence.

at Ashton, his voice a cold interrogation, “Who gave you the right to wag your tongue about

quickly regaining his footing, and returned a punch in rage, “You dare hit your friend over

my business is looking for trouble.”

Ludwik was ruthless.

Parker stood by, uneasy in the presence

often targeted Ludwik over Elaine in

to Elaine, had looked

this time, touching on Whitney had provoked Ludwik to violence.

your fiancée. You’ve fallen for

and I were done,” Ludwik said, his voice dropping into a cold rage as he was reminded of how Whitney did not trust him.

“Ashton, say another word to Whitney, and don’t blame me for

watched, shock flickering through

a mysterious man

he was one of Elaine’s

did she know, Whitney had not only married the renowned Ludwik Lippert but had also captured his heart. Thinking of

Ashton left

Ludwik’s side, stood smoking in the night. Nolan looked at

about it at the gala. I was shocked, Ludwik, Why lie and make met cover for you? I knew Whitney

asked you, too?” Ludwik’s

suspected something, I mean, with such an ‘excellent

didn’t think to warn me?” Ludwik’s voice was icy.

inwardly. “Who dares to confront you about

wondered, “Why didn’t you tell Whitney the

Whitney doesn’t even know who I am. How could I explain? Besides, I didn’t want trouble,” Ludwik

pride, now complicating matters.

“Then did you properly explain

to listen to my explanation, insisting she’s become

vadjamad

think Ludwik is the type

nodded knowing as Ludwa shot a chilling glare, the night deepening

of sympathy and