Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 709

"I'm not exactly a stranger, you know. You helped Whitney a lot back in the day."

Ludwik offered a half-smile, though his visit hid ulterior motives.

When he reached out to Shane, the man was on a business trip. The news practically blew his mind. This was a red flag. Who was Sandy to him? His woman? Or... maybe the mother of his daughter? Ludwik's insights were sharp.

From this, it became clear that Sandy was someone he needed to look out for.

Given the current situation, this would benefit him in winning Shane over.

Whitney couldn't believe his audacity. "Sandy's my cousin. What's it to you?

She's already told you she doesn't know you well. Please take these things back.

She can't have bird's nest soup right now."

"And I don't even like it!"

As Whitney's kin, Sandy had every reason to detest Ludwik for his past wrongs against her sister.

Unperturbed, Ludwik suddenly turned to Whitney. "I didn't just bring her food. I also got you some spicy buffalo wings and a cheesy lobster bake."

"...Spicy buffalo wings."

Whitney was at a loss for words. Was this man off his rocker? After all these years, he still remembered her love for spicy food, not to mention her less obvious penchant for cheesy lobster bake.

She tried to regain her composure, keeping him at arm's length. "Thanks, but I can buy my own food. Plus, Sandy doesn't like spicy stuff. You're just upsetting her stomach."

Sandy swallowed hard. "Sis, actually, I kind of like it..."

"Zip it." Whitney shot her a warning glance.

"...." Sandy hung her head, feeling small.

felt the sting of rejection, his gaze shifting from the deep,

melancholy could stir a sense of haze in any woman, even Whitney was momentarily taken aback, feeling as if she was the one who had wronged him. But soon, she spoke without emotion, "Past is

too, remember? And look how that turned

saw Ludwik's face

ruthless, able to cut ties without looking back, but those words

Ludwik was visibly pale.

wouldn't lash out, would he? After all, he was once

saw only Ludwik tightening his grip

He remained silent, enduring.

in the winds. Once, he had tormented her sister;

She internally cheered.

putting on gloves, opened the lobster bake, carefully separating the tender meat from

instantly, making Whitney

couldn't stand it anymore. "Ludwik, if you want to

for you, I'll leave once

eyes soft. "Consider it a thank-you for the heads-up this

flushed. Wasn't it Sandy who

had he found

she looked away, annoyed. "Stop chattering.

then glanced up. "Ms. Turner, I wanted to ask if you remember anyone pushing you

paused, realizing they had

the railing at the mall was

puzzled, replied, "I had just bought a cake. Suddenly, a big dog chased after me. Its owner was pulling on it, and the store was crowded. I didn't see clearly who

I was so scared

foggy due to

asking, "Have

head. "At S-T Group, I was low on

at the Sheldon Group, I've kept a low

be Sienna and Florence, maybe. Since I'm

mentioning Sandy's study abroad, and Florence was there too, right before Sandy lost her memory. "Ludwik, after you called the police, did they

from that time was

like something Florence would do," Whitney scoffed. "After all, she and Sandy