Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 776

But the moment Sandy looked up, she caught Shane's dark gaze fixed on her, a shadow lurking in his eyes as they met hers.

Flustered, her cheeks flushed a deep red. What was that look from Mr. Nelson all about?

In her panic, she grabbed her glass of water, only to choke on it, coughing violently.

"Elodie, why are you scaring the lady like that!" Shane chided, striding over to help Sandy by patting her back.

His display of affection was so natural, it left Elodie speechless, her voice tinged with sarcasm, "Has she caught your fancy, Shane? Oh, I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Sandy's face turned pale with anger.

Seizing the moment, Shane frowned, "Yeah, you are interrupting. Why don't you leave us alone? Besides, shouldn't you be entertaining yourself at the party rather than coming up here looking for Ludwik? What's that about?" "Just... I missed him, that's all."

Elodie stepped closer, towering over Sandy to interrogate her, "Have you seen Ludwik anywhere?"

Unable to hold back, Sandy retorted sarcastically, "Ms. Miller. Wasn't Ludwik under your watchful eye the entire time? How would I have seen him?"

"You can't even keep track of one person, and you're here questioning us," Shane grimaced.

"I blinked, and he was gone," Elodie said defensively, pouting.

Shane didn't expose what she might have done to Ludwik but remarked coolly, "Maybe Ludwik is avoiding you, Elodie. You can't force love, and it's not like he's into you. There's plenty of eligible bachelors after you. Any of them would be a better choice than Ludwik. He's much older than you."

"How much older? Just a dozen years, that's the sweet spot, don't you know?"

Elodie shrugged off the concern, her grip tightening, "Regardless, Ludwik is the one I want."

"Suit yourself, I'm not getting involved. We haven't seen him anyway," Shane said, dismissing her with a sharp look.

having taken

have time to argue with Shane; she hurried out to continue her

room closed,

not bothering to check the bathroom. If she had

why was there no sound

up to sneak closer to the bathroom,

firm tug, pulling her back, "Ahem, let's not disturb

Elodie's gone, I was just going to

Sandy naively explained.

Let's just say, if Whitney wants to come out, she'll come out." He threw her a seductive glance, "If Whitney's not coming out now,

still

wishing he could

the child they had together four years

Ms. Turner. If they can't

that's what

and Shane, two unattached individuals, were forced to listen to innuendos outside, made her entire

pale complexion turned adorably red under his gaze,

now

me to cover your ears?" Shane offered, half-joking, moving closer with his large

Besides, given Whitney's situation, I can handle it." "You can handle it? What

Sandy didn't catch on.

-

Inside the bathroom.

a heated, drenched form, the man's

her voice had terrified Whitney into silence, fearing the door would burst

help me," Ludwik's pleads were