Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 286

Stepping into the night, Elaine made her way to the private room of the bar. Delphine was already there. The reason for choosing this place was to lie to Ludwik, telling him she had plans with friends, a perfect cover for her tracks.

As soon as she sat down, Delphine frowned, "Elaine, you're moving too slow. You've been at this for three years and still haven't managed to tie down Ludwik, and now Whitney has made a comeback. That little witch, I can't believe she's still alive and kicking." Thinking about Whitney's smug face over the past few days made Elaine's blood boil. "How was I supposed to know? I thought I had her burned to ashes three years ago."

"I found out it was a fake body Orion used, a sleight of hand. You were careless not to verify the DNA."

Feeling her mother's dissatisfaction, Elaine clenched her fists. Delphine passed her a small vial filled with powder, lowering her voice, "The strongest kind. Just a touch, and he'll have to be with a woman that very night. Make sure you get pregnant with Ludwik's child as soon as possible. That way, he'll have no choice but to marry you, and Daniel and Whitney, those two pests, won't be a problem anymore."

Elaine knew what she had to do. Gripping the vial tightly, she nodded, "Don't worry, Mom. If I could make Ludwik despise Whitney to the core for losing a child three years ago, I can make him loathe her even more now."

"Speaking of which, isn't Keegan Tennyson about to be executed? Before Whitney gets wind of it, have Dad expedite the process. If necessary, take care of him in prison."

"It's probably too late for that." Delphine's expression darkened, "Suddenly, some civil rights lawyer has taken up Keegan's appeal, drawing unwanted attention to his case. It's now harder to deal with Keegan quietly. My husband checked the lawyer's background, and it turns out Bryce hired him. But it can't be a coincidence that Whitney returns now, especially since she and Bryce are close."

Elaine felt a chill, "You mean, Whitney is behind Keegan's legal defense, brought in by Bryce?" That witch, silently pulling strings the moment she returned. And before they could even notice. Thinking about her ruthless moves against Skye Gem Ltd., Elaine realized she couldn't underestimate this witch any longer.

"It's not a big deal. Use Ludwik's influence to isolate the prison. Whitney won't be able to see Keegan, and with his lips sealed, there's no chance of an appeal."

of her cigarette, exuding an air of nonchalance. Elaine leaned back, a cold smirk on her face, "The incident a month ago has been washed clean of any evidence. I've made sure Jaxon took care of Lyle's family. Dead

and unapproachable as a stone? Feeling increasingly frustrated, Elaine, who used to be the life of lavish parties, felt stifled by her current life, constantly

rare sparkle to her eyes, while the pulsating lights of the bar's dance floor tempted her restless heart. It was still early, and going back to Ludwik meant another night of him retreating to his study,

tall figure of Ashton pushed through the bar crowd, standing out with his military bearing and rugged charm, a stark contrast to Ludwik's cold beauty. Elaine,

like this, Elaine? And to get this drunk... Where's

sway, leaned into his arms. "Ludwik's at home, buried in his work as usual. I was feeling down and thought, who better to brighten my mood

mix of sweetness and sorrow. "Ludwik really doesn't know how to treat a lady. You used to be so high-maintenance, and now you're stuck taking care of his kid, making all these sacrifices," Ashton said, a touch of sympathy in his

felt a tug at his heart, looking at her with a soft smile, "You're not just a housewife. To me, you've always

knows my suffering? I haven't even shared a

into Ashton's ear, her voice laced with drunken melancholy. Ashton froze, disbelief in

of. Even though he claims to love me, I can feel his heart wandering the moment Whitney returned. It hurts so much. Can you comfort

tears started to form, Elaine leaned into Ashton, her body trembling slightly. Ashton's resolve melted, his hand gently patting her back, "Stop crying, Elaine. It pains me

you... could you soothe my heartache? It's so quiet at night,

him, her hands subtly lowering her neckline to reveal a hint of her delicate curves, a silent invitation. If she could spend the night with Ashton, even just to

was playing her cards right, figuring the alcohol would be a perfect excuse for what she was about to do. Leaning in with a sly smile, her lips painted red, she whispered, "Ashton,

would make any man's heart race. Ashton's Adam's apple bobbed, his gaze fixed on those approaching lips. Despite his deep affection for her, as their lips were