Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 276

Orion: "Uh, sorry, I ran into my ex. Looks like I've got some mess to sort out. Whitney, can you just grab a cab or something?" Silence. What a jerk.

Whitney massaged her temples, speechless. Why on earth did Yael fall for a guy like Orion? He was nothing but a spoiled rich brat.

It gave her a headache just thinking about it. Her cousin was such a pure and simple girl, barely in her twenties. If Whitney hadn't stumbled upon a candid photo of Orion in Yael's room, she would've never guessed her quiet cousin had a crush on him!

She later found out from Torin that Orion had initially approached Yael just to use her uncle to his advantage. The poor girl must have been emotionally scammed! And Orion was the worst kind of player, not to mention immature. Back in the day, he'd done all sorts of dirty tricks to get at Ludwik.

Whitney didn't want Yael getting tangled up with someone like Orion...

Sighing, Whitney stood up, leaning against the hotel wall for support as she made her way outside. The place was secluded and posh, with only a road leading down the hill. Where was she supposed to find a cab? Orion was such a lousy friend. A total disgrace.

Cursing under her breath, Whitney had only walked a few meters when a burning sensation in her stomach made her double over in pain near a tree. She tried to throw up but couldn't, and finally just sat down.

The early spring night air was chilly, and she was underdressed. Noticing she was in a parking lot full of fancy cars, she realized this meant there were probably plenty of men around.

Quickly, she took out her phone, thinking of calling someone for a ride. Hesitating over Bryce Lutz's contact, her phone suddenly slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. As she bent down to pick it up, a voice came, "Hey, lady, all by yourself here?"

Just as Whitney was about to thank the man who picked it up, he didn't hand it back, instead ogling her legs with a lecherous gaze. He held the phone back, pretending to be concerned, "You drunk? Let me help you to my car, and I'll drive you home, okay?" Whitney's gaze turned icy as she stood up, her head throbbing, "Buzz off. Go find someone else to prey on."

"Give me my phone back."

The man was taken aback, not expecting such a fiery response.

"Hey, what's with the attitude? A drunk chick wandering around at night ain't exactly a good girl. Come with me, I'll show you a good time."

"To hell with that."

Her kick, accentuated by her long, bare leg, landed squarely on the man. He yelped, and Whitney quickly snatched her phone

hair was grabbed from

twisted in fury as he tried to drag Whitney

them seemed to drop

"Let her go!"

man was kicked into the

out blood,

"Scram!!"

gaze like

tried to form a smile, about to ask why Ludwik

glanced at Whitney briefly before answering in a softer tone,

past eight. Is the dinner over? When are you coming back? I've

something the

I was hoping you could help

recognized the tender voice on the other end. A bitter

sparing Whitney another glance as he coldly

suddenly yanking her skirt up in a swift, forceful motion, leaving her stunned.

his car drove away, leaving her in a cloud of cold exhaust, Whitney muttered, "Like it's any of your

rearview mirror, Ludwik caught a glimpse of her defiant gesture, her tongue sticking out, so unlike the affectionate gestures she used to

of hesitation at a traffic light, Ludwik lit a cigarette, his gaze growing colder with each puff. The smoke seemed to only add to his irritation, prompting him to

stationary as Ludwik's thoughts lingered on Whitney's drunken figure sprawled on the ground, her red dress fluttering provocatively. And that

later, Ludwik made a sharp U-turn. He convinced himself he was just going back to see what foolish state

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