Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 861

She glared at Natalie, who stood there with a gentle smile on her face.

As Jason descended the stairs, his arm instinctively reached out to support Natalie. She shyly dodged, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Jason found her skittish demeanor amusing, unlike any woman's reaction to him before. Of course, it wasn't like he had much experience with women in the first place.

"I didn't mean anything by it. Just didn't want you to trip," he explained in a low voice.

It was then that Natalie awkwardly extended her wrist to him, quickly explaining in a soft voice, "Mr. Lippert, I didn't think you had any other intentions... I'm much better now, you don't have to go out of your way to be polite."

"Where did you get the idea that I'm inconvenienced?"

Jason frowned slightly.

Natalie's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. "Was it Ludwik who asked you to check on me? I know it's hard being caught in the middle because of your father, but you really don't have to do this."

"It wasn't him who sent me."

Jason looked down at her, a bit more seriously.

Natalie looked up slightly.

Jason cleared his throat, somewhat embarrassed to speak further, covering his mouth with his hand, "Danny and Sammy have been staying at the Lippert family home for three days. Whitney might pick them up today. Since Whitney and Ludwik will both be there, I thought... maybe you'd like to join? After all, you're Ludwik's mother, and their grandmother."

Grandmother?

She was their grandmother.

Jason was

was in turmoil, but she dared not dwell

in her wandering thoughts, forcing a small smile, "So that's the reason. I haven't seen Whitney in such

come to the Lippert family

matriarch and your family will be there. It just doesn't seem

benefactor of the Lippert

at

deal to save the Lippert Resort, a crisis she helped him navigate through. She was still bashful,

to help the Lippert family at the time. I know,

of his son

warmed at his praise. After all, she was Ludwik's mother, and she had wanted

buried in her heart for too many years, never

Now, even more so.

towards the night sky, asking again in a

her spinal surgery and recovery, her health had improved, and she had regained some weight, shedding the frailty of her prolonged illness. Though still slender, her hair, a mix of black and white, flowed over a simple but elegant dress.

gaze unintentionally swept

I'll come,"

about to

urgent and

at the sight of

of sadness. She looked down at herself, a sense of inferiority creeping in. Years of illness had eroded

heart might waver at the sight

stepped in front of Natalie, shielding her from Thea with a protective stance that sent waves of

soft but determined as she looked at Jason, "Jason, it's been so long. How

her perfume mingling with the night air,