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."

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 men tell no tales." Delphine nodded and stood up, "Elaine, I should go. Don't linger here; go home and play the devoted wife and mother. That's how you'll win

devoted wife and mother? Hadn't she been doing that for three years, and yet Ludwik remained as cold and unapproachable as a stone? Feeling increasingly frustrated, Elaine, who used to be the life of lavish parties,

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, refusing to share their bedroom. Thinking about

tall figure of Ashton pushed through the bar crowd, standing out with his military bearing and rugged charm,

drinking like this, Elaine? And to get

leaned into his arms. "Ludwik's at home, buried in his

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 voice. "Ashton,

his heart, looking at her with a soft smile, "You're not just a housewife. To me, you've always been beautiful and kind. You

suffering? I haven't

disbelief in his gaze, "How is that possible? Ludwik doesn't seem like

he claims to love me, I can feel his heart wandering

his hand gently patting her back, "Stop

really care? Then, could you... could you soothe my heartache? It's so quiet at

her neckline to reveal a hint of her delicate curves, a silent invitation. If she could spend the night with Ashton, even just to spite Valerie Bartels, that little vixen, why not?

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,

race. Ashton's Adam's apple bobbed, his gaze fixed on those approaching lips. Despite his deep affection for her, as their lips were about to meet, he froze. Damn it, Ashton quickly grabbed her hand, shut his eyes tight, his mind racing