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.

these." Ludwik felt the sting of rejection, his gaze

features sculpted as if by divine intervention, his melancholy could stir a sense of haze in any woman, even Whitney was momentarily taken aback, feeling as if she was the

you, too, remember? And look how that turned

Ludwik's face turn

Whitney was ruthless, able to

Ludwik was visibly pale.

wouldn't lash out, would he? After all, he was once the undisputed golden boy

only Ludwik tightening his grip on the meal box, his knuckles

He remained silent, enduring.

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

She internally cheered.

bake, carefully separating the tender meat from the

aroma filled the room instantly, making

want

for you, I'll leave once I'm

low, his eyes soft. "Consider it a thank-you for the heads-up this afternoon about Mr. Garcia not

Wasn't it Sandy who had

had he found

her lip, she looked away, annoyed. "Stop

glanced up. "Ms. Turner, I wanted to

realizing they had

"Sandy, the railing at the mall was so high. You couldn't have

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 it was, but then I was pushed over the railing

I was so scared I

was foggy due

narrowed his eyes, asking, "Have you made any

Group, I was low on the ladder. Nobody paid me

at the Sheldon Group,

and Florence, maybe. Since I'm working closely with Whitney,

mentioning Sandy's study abroad, and Florence was there too, right before Sandy lost her

that time

Whitney scoffed. "After all, she and Sandy