Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 142

Whitney’s hands were clenched so tightly that beads of cold sweat trickled down her skin.

Her heart grew colder inch by inch, as if wrapped in frost.

Keegan wheeled over to her, pushing her out of the Valentine mansion. His gaze was piercing into her shame–filled veins like needles. “Whitney, the Surelia District mining maps fed the Imperial Gem Corporation, catapulting it to greatness and spawning United Realty. But the irony of it is that you married him!”

She crumpled to the floor, her eyes brimming with tears.

Could it really be him?

Her mother and grandfather had died such horrific deaths, and her uncle had lived in such hardship.

Clutching her aching heart, Whitney looked up in confusion, pulling out the executive name tag and the black card that L had given her. “But uncle, you said he was behind my mom and grandpa’s death. Then why does he keep me close? He let me into United Realty and gave me a black card with no limit–shouldn’t he be wary of me?”

Keegan’s chest heaved with fury as he swept the card from her hands onto the ground, “Do you know Ludwik’s tricks? He’s got you falling for him! With these perks, could you ever leave him with your pride intact? When he met me today, he acted like nothing was amiss, probably thinking I was clueless about the past. He’s been spinning you around with a mask! Open your eyes and see the truth! Otherwise, you’re betraying your mother and grandfather!”

Whitney’s mind reeled, and she slowly collapsed to the ground. Her heart was drowning in anguish.

She had met Ludwik, carried his child, married him, and even fallen in love with him.

Why was fate mocking her?

She thought she had defeated Elaine, that she and L had finally developed a relationship, that they were finally finding happiness.

But the harsh slap of truth followed swiftly.

Her grandfather’s contact book was with Ludwik’s name. Her uncle said his mask had pierced her grandfather’s heart, that the Imperial Gem Corporation had used her grandfather’s Surelia District mining maps to build its empire.

She found it impossible to find excuses for him anymore.

Imperial Gem Corporation and Skye Gem Ltd.’s past was not just business competition.

It was blood vengeance–her mother and grandfather had died with eyes wide open!

“I know it’s hard to accept, but you need to pull yourself together. I came back to exact revenge on Ludwik! I just didn’t expect to find you… by his side,” Keegan said, gripping her hand, his eyes cold and sarcastic as he glanced at her swelling belly. “But family vengeance cannot be forgotten! You must cut ties with him completely and stand by me!”

Whitney felt shattered by his words, her heart sliced open, tears clouding her vision.

Realizing she was close to breaking, Keegan softened his tone. “You must be tired. Go home and have a rest. But don’t alert him and don’t expose me. The day after tomorrow is your mother and grandfather’s memorial. You should come, and we’ll talk more then.”

Whitney nodded. “Uncle, but you don’t have a place to stay.”

“I’ve bought an apartment before coming back. I have a small company overseas, and I’ve relocated it here.” Keegan managed a wry smile. “As for your cousin, I left her abroad.”

Whitney a glimmer

scornful one. “Your aunt ran off long ago. In my

gasped, her heart aching as if torn

life had been bitter, but who was to blame?

thought, her fingertips trembling as she left her uncle’s apartment, her face pale

Whitney’s retreating

other end had a devilish tone. “How’s

a complication,” Keegan’s voice was heavy. “My niece, Whitney, the one you

“But Mr.

thoughts shifting, his eyes revealing a sinister resolve. “Whitney being with Ludwik

What’s a little pain for your niece if it means avenging your family and reclaiming what’s yours?” the man

vengeful eyes. “Yes,

doing business with you,” the

she had secretly dubbed ‘House

had just sprouted, and as tangible as it

was now the

snowfall outside her window, wishing for a moment that she could dissolve into snowflakes, to avoid the pain, the conflict, the doubt, and the

and hurried to fetch a towel. “Ma’am, why

Whitney, pale as a ghost, ascended the stairs and locked herself in

into the night, Ludwik

with snowflakes, which

was the first snowfall of the winter, and also the first since he had met

brow eased slightly, though his brow remained

collapsed on the carpet!

to

was lost in dreams.

in the twisted wreckage of a car accident. Her uncle’s severed leg was there too, the sight of it vivid in her

Chapter 142

to us? Why are you carrying his child?”

dreamed of her mother, but it was the first time she’d seen

hands gripped her

the blur of tears, Whitney looked up to see the

shuddered and pushed him away with all

wearing that mask again – the deceiver and the manipulator.

was he, capable of hiding behind countless facades? The hands that now reached out to her were the same hands stained

recoiled until her back hit the wall, seeking

confusion and concern darkening his face as he realized

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Chapter 143

his brow furrowing in concern. “Why are you sleeping on the ground, freezing like this? You’ve caught a cold already. Don’t you