Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 124
Whitney’s brow twitched as she answered the phone with a hint of unfamiliarity, “Ashton?”
His tone was icy. “Are you free? Come down for a chat!”
Whitney paused, then suddenly stood up and went to the window. Sure enough, outside the villa was a luxury car with its
headlights flashing.
This Ashton seemed to be related to L, but she did not know him. What was there to talk about?
The man’s approach was aggressive, and Whitney was on guard. She thought about calling L but decided she did not want to
seem overly dependent.
Instead, she confided in her friend Tiana before changing her clothes and going
Ashton took her away without a word, just one contemptuous glance.
going downstairs.
That one glance was enough for Whitney to sense trouble. Coupled with what Valerie had told her about Ashton’s fondness for
Elaine, Whitney’s impression of the man soured.
Ashton led her to a coffee shop, and once they were seated under the bright lights, Whitney sized up the handsome man before
her.
He was almost as tall as L, but where L was composed and refined, Ashton had a roguish air about him. His demeanor was
entirely different from his brother Nolan’s flirtatious charm. It was clear he was dangerous.
With his hands in his pockets, he started on an unfriendly note. “Ms. Valentine, a woman should have some conscience. Why are
you bullying Elaine?”
Whitney was taken aback, but then she chuckled, guessing what he was about to say next.
“Did Elaine run to you with her woes?” Whitney clasped her hands together. “You seem quite protective of her.”
“That’s none of your business,” Ashton replied, his impression of Whitney far from good.

“You’ve already snatched L, even if it’s just for a year. For someone from your modest background, that should be enough. Keep
your claws retracted. Do you even know, what Elaine means to him? What right do you have to frame her?”
“I framed her? Ashton, perhaps you should ask L’about today’s events first. She tried to harm my child; shouldn’t I fight back?”
“L is bewitched by you. Of course, he’ll believe you! You and Valerie are besties, right? Ganging up on Elaine, bullying her, do

you find that amusing?”
Ashton’s eyes were cold.
Whitney’s eyes danced with laughter, but then she understood why Valerie had been so unhappy since returning from abroad.
Her eyes, once full of life, now held a cold pallor.
Ashton was so protective of Elaine; He did not love Valerie and might even despise her.
Whitney also had to admire Elaine. Even with her heart elsewhere, she had Ashton wrapped around her finger.
Whitney tried to explain, ‘”Elaine did many things to try and make me miscarry...”
Ashton cut her off. “That’s what you deserve. Everyone knows you climbed into L’s car with ulterior motives. Ms. Valentine, do
you know you’ve usurped Elaine’s love? She was the legitimate fiancée, betrothed to him years ago by their families. She
doesn’t want your child; what’s wrong with that?”
Whitney’s mind went blank as if struck by lightning..
What did he just say? Fiancée?

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Seeing Whitney’s change in expression, Ashton remained furious. “You think ignorance is an excuse? Elaine has been in love
with L since her teens, silently by his side. If it were not for you, they would eventually marry. You know she learned jewelry
design and complex business operations for him, right? Her youth revolves around him. And you interfere, and you still think
you’re justified?
They say you want to cling to him, not let go? Ha, in a year, he’ll have to marry Elaine. You, a child–bearing woman, had better
not delude yourself. They are the real couple!”
After his tirade. Whitney fell silent, her heart sinking.
Elaine was L’s fiancée, with a formal engagement. Why did he lie to her?
She felt like an idiot.
Ashton continued to berate her, calling her the mistress. Was she really?
Whitney did not remember how she left the coffee shop.
She did not return to the villa; she went straight to Tiana’s house. The blow was too much; she could not digest it and did not
want to face L
Ashton watched her leave in a daze, his expression cold. He stood up and made a call, his tone suddenly softer. “Elaine, don’t

be upset. I’ve made things clear to Whitney. She seems genuinely unaware of your status, but now she knows and will surely be
ashamed!”Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

Elaine’s reply was uneasy, “Ashton, why are you so impulsive? By confronting Ludwik, I’m afraid...”
“What’s a few more fights between us?” Ashton was unconcerned. “Get some rest.”
Hanging up, Elaine’s feigned weakness vanished, replaced by a cold smirk.
Now that Whitney knew her status, Elaine was sure that with Whitney’s pride and image as Banyan City’s top socialite, she
would not cling to Ludwik anymore. With Ludwik’s resolute nature, trouble would arise, and Elaine could turn her defeat into
victory.
Ashton had indeed done her a huge favor.
At midnight, Ludwik finished his work and returned to the manor to find it eerily quiet.
Whitney was not in his bedroom.
Halfway through removing his tie, he called her number with a grim face, but she did not answer.
She had been so obedient earlier.
A bad premonition settled in Ludwik’s heart. He strode downstairs and commanded Felix, “Drive.”
He knew exactly where to find her.
Twenty minutes later, the Bentley pulled up to Tiana’s apartment.
In the deep winter, a man in a black coat, imposing and stern, knocked on Tiana’s door.
Tiana opened the door, her face clouding at the sight of him. “Mr. L, what brings you here at this time?”
“Is Whitney here? What’s the upset about now?” Ludwik was not in the mood for pleasantries.
Tiana rolled her eyes dramatically. Clearly, this guy had no clue about the storm that was brewing.
Bowing to the pressure, Tiana reluctantly called out to the person inside, “Whitney... he’s here. No use hiding anymore. Just lay
it all out for him!”
Whitney emerged from the shadows.

Ludwik’s handsome features were stern as he fixed his gaze on the petite woman before him.
Chapter 124
He reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, intending to whisk her away, but Whitney dodged his touch.
As he looked down, he noticed the redness around her eyes for the first time.
“What’s wrong?” Ludwik’s thick brows furrowed with concern.
At his question, Whitney could not help but lift her gaze to meet his. Under the porch light, his eyes were deep and mysterious,
hidden behind a metaphorical mask that made him unreadable.
Indeed, how could she see through a man whose very identity was a mystery to her?
So, armed with her naive trust, did he think he could deceive her time and time again?
Whitney confronted him with a frank stare, “Elaine is your fiancée. When I asked you this afternoon, you kept it from me!”