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."

leg, landed squarely on the man. He yelped, and

Her hair was

in fury as he tried to

around them seemed to drop

"Let her go!"

the man was kicked into the front of

spat out blood, shocked and trying to

"Scram!!"

stood firm, his tall figure imposing, his gaze like a blade on the man sprawled on the

tried to form a smile, about to ask why Ludwik hadn't left yet when his phone

at Whitney briefly before

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

the

I make it. Plus, I was hoping you could help with my facial swelling. Is that okay?" "I'll be

the tender voice on the other

coldly walked past her. So, it

skirt up in a swift, forceful motion, leaving

cold exhaust, Whitney muttered, "Like it's

Through the rearview mirror, Ludwik caught a glimpse of her defiant gesture, her tongue sticking out, so unlike

cigarette, his gaze growing colder with each puff.

Whitney's drunken figure sprawled on the ground,

convinced himself he was just going back

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