Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 251

After parting ways with Orion, Whitney hopped into her car and immediately opened her text messages, eagerly awaiting Tiana’s current address.

But there was no text. Tiana had backed out.

Whitney sighed. The once fearless Tiana had now become so cautious.

She had no choice but to seek help from Bryce, asking him to dig up some information.

Bryce quickly provided her with a precise address.

After thanking him, Whitney drove off.

As the GPS guided her past the bustling downtown area, the neighborhoods grew shabbier, and she finally pulled up in front of a narrow, dilapidated old building.

Staring at the worn alley and the squalid surroundings, Whitney could not believe Tiana and her parents were hiding in a place like this.

What on earth had happened in the past three years to bring the Melford family to such a state? Taking a deep breath, Whitney got out of the car and slowly entered the building.

Just as she was about to knock, the door swung open, and she came face–to–face with the last person she expected.

Valerie, holding an empty can of baby formula, looked up, and her eyes widened in shock.

The two friends stood there, tears glistening in their eyes.

“Valerie,” Whitney called softly.

“Whit… Whitney?” Valerie dropped the can, her voice trailing off as she turned and called back into the apartment, “Tiana! It’s Whitney! She’s here!”

Footsteps echoed from inside.

Tiana appeared behind the door, her formerly round cheeks now slender, her long hair cut to a bob that brushed her pale shoulders.

The sweet, brash girl Whitney remembered from three years ago had transformed into a quiet, slick woman.

Her features were soft, with a hint of motherly allure, but her eyes lacked sparkle. She looked at Whitney in shock, tears welling up.

Whitney took another deep breath, her lips trembling as she stepped inside without a word.

“Whitney… What are you doing here?”

Tiana quickly wiped her eyes and cautiously glanced outside before swiftly shutting the door.

Chapter 251

observed Tiana

from the spacious villa the Melford family once had. Tiana

pair, her voice hoarse. “I’m sorry, Tiana, I came back too late. Tell me everything that’s happened to you in

that you’re back!” Valerie finally snapped out of her daze and embraced Whitney, breaking down. “We thought you were dead! Thank God Bryce got out… He managed to get word

not dare reach out; she feared giving herself away, her wings not yet fully grown. She clenched her fists as she looked at Tiana. “My biggest regret is dragging you down with me!

I’ve been okay these three years,” Tiana replied with a placating smile,

worn down and afraid, and it made Whitney’s heart feel as

I can to back you up, to

“Whitney, you don’t understand the power of Ludwik Lippert, the influence

ensued like a flood of

the three of us have ended up like this all because of Elaine Bartels. You need to tell

don’t make her feel worse,” Tíana tried

three years because of Elaine’s tyranny. How long will you keep

its knees by a single word from Ludwik, and

and I refuse to believe

ago, Tiana was humiliated. The next day, her photos spread throughout Banyan City, destroying her reputation overnight. Elaine twisted the story of Tiana’s visit to the sanitarium to save you, accusing

Chapter 251

Elaine quietly ran them into the ground, not

massive debt. Tiana was so vilified that no man would consider

have taken her own life by then. What’s more despicable is that she soon discovered she was pregnant

this day, after so many men that night, we don’t know who the father is.”

began to tremble, her face turning a

lip but continued to hold her, “Ludwik abandoned her to her fate, and Elaine ruthlessly finished them off. Anytime Nolan Fuller and I tried to help Tiana, Elaine would whisper in Ludwik’s ear, and the Fuller Group and our family would

me, too. I’ve

desperate, somehow found work, only to be suppressed

minions.

Tiana’s will was broken, and the Melford family ended up hiding in

Tiana became increasingly wary, to the point where she wouldn’t even see me. I could only secretly buy some baby formula for Cherry and pick

red. Her friends were living such stifled lives, tormented to this extent!

Elaine, that woman was a tyrant; her misdeeds

she should have had her pick of the most eligible bachelors in Banyan City. All ruined, a scandal, an

she found out about how Ludwik had destroyed Tiana’s family and how he completely ignored Elaine’s sins, Whitney’s hatred for

was fixed on a specific spot…

a baby’s cry emerged from the bedroom.

mommy…” The infant girl’s tender cries took everyone aback.

“Sweetheart, why are you