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

actions pained Whitney, who carefully observed Tiana and

from the spacious villa the Melford family once had. Tiana had

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

out… He managed to get word to me, and I knew you were

out; she feared giving herself away, her wings not yet fully grown. She clenched her fists

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

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

don’t be afraid. I’ll do everything I can to back

her head in despair. “Whitney, you don’t understand the power of

years ago and all the subsequent horrors that ensued like a flood of wild beasts, causing

sorrow and anger. “Tiana, the three of us have ended up like this all because of Elaine Bartels. You need to tell Whitney what you’ve

feel worse,” Tíana tried to interject.

been cowards for three years because of

yourself but also of Cherry and your parents. The Melford.Group was brought to its knees by a single word from Ludwik, and with Elaine manipulating behind the scenes,

I refuse to believe that no one can

with self–reproach, Valerie continued, “Whitney, that night three years 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 you both of trying to slander her with a

Chapter 251

quietly ran them into the

them but also leaving them with a massive debt. Tiana was

life by then. What’s more despicable is that she soon discovered she was pregnant with Cherry. Tiana’s unique condition meant that terminating the pregnancy would

child, and to this day, after so many men that

tremble, her face turning a ghastly pale.

her lip but continued to hold her, “Ludwik abandoned her to her fate, and Elaine ruthlessly finished them off. Anytime Nolan Fuller

me, too. I’ve

pregnant and desperate, somehow found work, only to be suppressed

minions.

the Melford family

point where she wouldn’t even see me. I could only secretly buy some baby

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

that woman was a tyrant; her

and radiant; she should have had her pick of the most eligible bachelors in Banyan City.

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

gaze was fixed on a specific spot…

a baby’s cry

girl’s tender cries took

rushed in. “Sweetheart, why are you awake already?”