Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 775

"It's not about Bryce," Shane said, stepping in front of Whitney, an eyebrow arching playfully. "I called you up here because someone might need your help. Cough, you better come with me." He led her to a bathroom door.

Through the frosted glass, Whitney could barely make out the suppressed gasps of a man inside. The voice was deep, rough, and carried a restrained sexiness she recognized all too well. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Ludwik...?

As the realization dawned on her about his probable condition, Whitney turned on her heel, wanting to escape.

Shane's towering frame blocked her way, his eyebrow cocked casually. "Whitney, are you really going to leave a man to suffer?

I ran into him downstairs. He claimed Elodie spiked his drink, and now he's in this state.

Elodie's scouring the place for him. If she finds him, she'll definitely...well, you know," he trailed off, his expression suggesting more than words could say, as he watched Whitney's face turn a deeper shade of red. Sandy, half understanding the situation but fully aware of the implications from the sounds inside, whispered, "Whitney...is that Ludwik in there?"

"Spot on," Shane gave her a knowing look before turning back to Whitney. "What's your plan?"

"What do you mean, what's my plan!"

Whitney was irked that Shane dragged her into this, her cheeks painted with a hint of anger. "Shane, why are you stirring things up? Ludwik and I are divorced...he can just take a cold shower, why involve me? And if Elodie does show up, just block her, right?

Why do you have to drag me into this..."

Shane sighed, a look of resignation on his face. "I mean, I am a distant cousin of the Miller family. If I get involved and this blows up tonight, not only will it be awkward between me and the Millers, but it'll also be a mess to clean up. Plus, if word gets out, Ludwik's going to be the laughing stock.

The news of Elodie drugging him to get her way would spread like wildfire. And right now, the Lippert family's already in a rough spot."

Whitney wondered when Shane and Ludwik became so close that he'd speak on his behalf.

a grand event tonight, Elodie daring to make a move must mean she has her parents' blessing. Ronan spoils

get her way, making Ludwik

pursed in annoyance. "Who asked

who assured me that he had nothing to do with

of him then. I hope he successfully

"Sis, you're just venting. If that really happened, you'd be

spoke, the bathroom door suddenly

revealing a lean waistline above neatly pressed trousers. The shirt's open

dripping, made him look irresistibly alluring, a fire burning in his deep-set eyes aimed directly at Whitney, as

somber on

hauntingly familiar...like at Phineas's party, he had said he

was momentarily lost

Why did he always have to say he wanted

her thoughts, Ludwik suddenly

ragged breathing seeping out, intoxicatingly sensual,

if her sister truly understood what

herself. She was here for a party, without even the basic tools like acupuncture needles for

other than acupuncture to control the acupoints and endure it, there was only one

comes here and hears all this, she'll definitely find him. Then she'll insist

in his state can't control himself; if something happens, with all the guests tonight, the Miller family will

"Sis, you wouldn't want Elodie

ashen. She indeed

the party, how

labored, her mind

"Knock, knock!"—