Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 281

Elaine's fury was palpable as she stared at Whitney, her rage boiling over. "You shameless harlot, how dare you seduce Ludwik! I'll make you regret this!" Her scream drew disapproving looks from passersby. But Elaine didn't care about appearances anymore. She lunged at Whitney, grabbing her hair, intent on dragging her down.

Out of control, she hissed, "Shameless! He's my man! You think you can win him back with that trashy body of yours? Dream on. He's all about me now; he wouldn't stand to see me slighted even a bit. Just a word from me, and he'd wipe you out, believe it or not!" "Oh, I believe you," Whitney said, recalling the cold, harsh words from the hotel room, and she laughed.

Elaine was taken aback.

In an instant, Whitney easily restrained her, clicking her tongue in disdain. "Elaine, you used to be so cunning. What happened, resorting to street-brawling tactics now?"

Then, with a knowing smile, she added, "You must be desperate. Three years and still pining for a man, loneliness and madness taking over. Especially since I can get him excited in a second while you're green with envy. Maybe you should be nicer to me, or else, with just a flick of my finger, I could really ruin your peace!"

Feeling a surge of vindictive pleasure, Whitney recalled Orion's advice: 'First make Ludwik fall for you again, then pay them back in spades.' Seeing Elaine so flustered only made her feel more triumphant.

Elaine nearly choked with rage. "You think Ludwik would still want you? In his eyes, you're nothing but trash compared to me. And about last night, don't flatter yourself. His 'condition' will soon be cured, and your seduction will be useless!"

Whitney, amused by Elaine's confidence, teased, "Oh, Elaine, did you not know that the 'miracle doctor' you're so hopeful about has stopped practicing?"

"How do you know?" Indeed, Elaine was frustrated about Ludwik's unresolved condition.

With a feigned gasp of surprise, Whitney chuckled, "You mean you don't know that the miracle doctor goes by the name... Whitney?"

Stunned, Elaine struggled to react, her face a mix of emotions. Sneering, she shot back, "What are you, exactly? A few acupuncture tricks and you think you're some kind of miracle worker? I couldn't cure Ludwik, what makes you think you can?" Whitney laughed, "Of course you couldn't. You just don't have the charm. He's simply not into you."

and slapped in the face with every word, Elaine fumed, "Wretch, I'll tear that mouth of

hurts, doesn't it?" Whitney smirked, and as Elaine charged again, she simply grabbed a nearby trash can and shoved it into her arms. "Here, go tear up some

can at Whitney's retreating figure. "You won't get away with this! Dream on about

scheme brewing in her eyes, Elaine stormed back to her car, tires screeching as she drove

With a firm press of her lips, she too left the

had secured a visiting pass for him. This, they

-

exhausted at Tiana's to pick up Sammy, Whitney was greeted with concern. "Where

question about her late night with Orion, went to

with Cherry, his little sister, a stark contrast to his

asked if she was alright, hinting at his concern over her well-being. Whitney, touched by his sensitivity, reassured him as they headed home,

but smile at her little knight in shining armor, ruffling his

be right

to share the news, but did Mom even know she had

about it now could stir up a whole lot of

and his little brother cooked up: keep mum and watch how things played out between Mom

lip, Sammy pondered over how to broach another crucial topic, mulling it over for quite a while before he found a way to bring it up, "Mom, you

Whitney turned, sensing her bright son had

that you're working on some miracle cure. Funny coincidence, I came across someone on the dark web willing to pay top dollar for a drug. The patient's name is Natalie. Apparently, she's been in a vegetative state for three years, but recently her

she turned to him in surprise, "Are you sure her name's

pretty good with names, so yeah, I'm