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 their

she dared not dwell

quickly reined in her wandering thoughts, forcing a small smile, "So that's the reason. I

the Lippert family

The matriarch and your

about it. You're a benefactor of the Lippert family, have you

looked at

deal to save the Lippert Resort, a crisis she helped him navigate through.

didn't intend to help the Lippert family at the time. I know, those funds were meant for your retirement.

of his son

all, she was Ludwik's mother, and she had wanted to give him a life

heart for too many

Now, even more so.

Jason looked towards

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

gaze unintentionally swept over her

come," Natalie

was about to signal the Lippert

urgent and sultry,

immediately cooling at the sight of Thea, dressed

watched Thea's flamboyant approach, feeling a pang of sadness. She looked down at herself, a sense

heart might

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

clenched her designer bag, her eyes soft but determined as she looked at Jason, "Jason, it's been so

in her high heels, closed the distance quickly, her perfume mingling with