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 move must mean she has her parents' blessing. Ronan spoils her rotten, she's their only

her way, making Ludwik the

pursed in annoyance. "Who asked him to

was the one who assured me that he had nothing

I hope he successfully climbs up to

you're just venting. If that really

bathroom door suddenly swung open with

in the doorway, his suit jacket removed and his shirt askew, revealing a lean waistline above

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

gaze deep and somber on her. "You mentioned you'd be here with Bryce, and I wanted

Phineas's party, he had said he wanted to see

was momentarily

struggling with his desires, more ruggedly handsome and mature than ever, made her cheeks burn. Why did he always have to say he wanted to see her? Just yesterday, she was with her

thoughts, Ludwik suddenly closed the

his ragged breathing seeping out, intoxicatingly sensual,

wondering if her sister truly understood what

of irritation, Whitney thought to herself. She was here for a party, without even the basic tools like acupuncture needles for

and endure it, there was only one other way

urging, "Whitney, if Elodie comes here and hears all this,

if something happens, with all the guests tonight, the Miller family will force Ludwik to take responsibility. If he ends up

want Elodie to be

She indeed didn't want that, but

Bryce in the party, how

became labored, her mind

"Knock, knock!"—