Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 179

“It’s no trouble at all, taking care of you is my duty.” Ludwik was a man of few words. Elaine gave him a

soft smile, her heart swelling with happiness. “Thank you, Ludwik!” He opened the car door and helped

her in like a true gentleman.

Under the cloak of night, the Bentley glided smoothly towards their suburban mansion.

Throughout the ride, Ludwik was silent, his presence aloof and weary, yet undeniably charismatic.

Elaine stole a glance at the taut muscles beneath his crisp shirt, her eyes alight with fervor and triumph.

Clenching her fists, she thought to herself, “Whitney, you’ve been utterly vanquished. This man now

belongs to

me!”

Just as she was basking in her smug thoughts, the Bentley came to a halt outside the villa.

The darkness of the night was pierced by the pale glow of streetlights, illuminating the ornate, wrought–

iron gates.

As Ludwik assisted Elaine out of the car, her peripheral vision caught sight of a figure standing beneath

the gates–it was Whitney!

She was bundled up in a thick parka, a visible bump in her midsection, with a small suitcase at her feet.

Elaine’s eyes narrowed with venom as she glared at Whitney.

She appeared stiff from standing too long, her head bowed and body shivering from the cold.

Elaine quickly snuggled closer into Ludwik’s embrace.

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Feeling her move, Ludwik looked down with a frown. “Are you cold?”

“I’m freezing, Ludwik,” Elaine said with a feigned frailty, shivering for effect.

Ludwik removed his coat and draped it over her with careful attention, then took her by the wrist. “We

forgot your wheelchair; take it slow.”

“Thank you, Ludwik.” Elaine’s voice was tender and sweet.

Her saccharine tone, filled with joy, caught Whitney’s attention, causing her to look up.

She saw the approaching pair, almost entwined in each other’s arms.

Ludwik was holding Elaine’s hand, their posture intimate and caring.

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Elaine caught Whitney’s shattered gaze and, with malicious delight, asked, “Ludwik, were you serious

about what you told my parents? That we’re getting engaged?”

Whitney overheard..

Ludwik was engaged to Elaine? A crushing force seemed to weigh down on Whitney, her gaze

transfixed on the man she once knew.

How would he respond? His answer was curt, a harsh edge in his voice. “Yes.”

A hollow smile cracked Whitney’s lips. So his urgency to divorce her was to promptly engage with

Elainel

It was like the bitterest of tonics, the cruelest of poisons, forced into her mouth.

The venom robbed her of breath, the pain unbearable.

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Yet she had to endure. Back at the Ether Cafe, when she had tampered with the divorce papers, she

had made a decision.

“Ludwik!” Whitney called out.

18:24 1

Only now, across the distance, did Ludwik notice her.

Her frail silhouette stood in the biting wind, almost merging with the nearby shadows.

Ludwik paused for a split second, his eyes brooding as he regarded her.

He also noted the suitcase by her feet, “What are you doing here?”

“This is my home. I’m moving back in, Whitney stated with forced composure.

He raised an eyebrow, a cold smirk on his lips. “New lady of the house have moved in.”

Whitney’s heart sank.

Was he referring to new occupants in the house, or had someone new moved into his heart?

Elaine, sensing an opportunity, clung tighter to Ludwik’s arm, her gaze defiantly fixed on Whitney.

Losing patience, Ludwik turned to open the door. “We’re divorced. Forget about any inheritance, and

your belongings will be thrown out.”

*Sorry to disappoint, but we’re not divorced. I only signed “Valentine, which invalidates the paper,”

Whitney stated firmly.

Ludwik spun around, his eyes narrowing.

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Elaine’s gaze darkened as she feigned concern, “Ms. Valentine, why are you playing games with

Ludwik?”

Whitney ignored her.

She met Ludwik’s icy stare without fear. “Check the papers if you don’t believe me.”

He did, his expression unreadable, his brow clouded with loathing as he confirmed the single scrawled

Valentine‘ on the document.

“What’s your

“What’s your angle now?” he demanded.

“You got everything–Imperial Gem Corporation, the billions, my bankruptcy, my mother’s condition. Isn’t

that enough?”

His mocking sneer was like a blade, repeatedly piercing Whitney’s heart. She endured numbly, letting

him scorn her.

If only it brought him solace.

Her sole focus was Natalie’s last wish, which she vowed to fulfill, no matter what.

“Ludwik, let me live here. You still suffer from your condition, and I want to take care of you until you

recover.

I Then I’ll consider signing the divorce papers. Besides, with Elaine moving in, I’m even more worried

about Natalie.”

“You have no right to speak of her! Your presence here is the biggest threat to her! Don’t you dare

come near her again!”

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Ludwik’s fury was palpable, his tone icy. “Leave now. Security!”

Whitney knew Natalie was his Achilles‘ heel.

“I promised her I’d look after you, and I will. I’m not leaving.”

Ludwik clenched his jaw. When had she made such promises? Or was this yet another play?

He had suffered through a night of agony, and she hadn’t once visited him. The dreams, the touch of a

child–all lies.

It was Elaine who had saved him. Now, was Whitney playing the caring wife again?

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Sensing Ludwik’s hesitation, Elaine quickly chimed in, her voice dripping with hidden sarcasm. “Ludwik,

!

understand why Ms. Valentine doesn’t want a divorce. She probably hopes you’ll spare her uncle, her

cousin, and lift the economic sanctions on Skye Gem Ltd. That’s why she’s offering to care for you, but

it seems rather hypocritical, doesn’t it?”

The words hit Ludwik like a splash of cold water, freezing any warmth that may have stirred in his heart,

Indeed, her refusal to divorce was nothing but a ploy.

Disgusted by her hypocrisy, he was fool for having any hope left for this woman.

Ludwik’s self–loathing was reaching a boiling point, his voice laced with a sneer, “You won’t get what

you want, not a single thing. You think we’re not getting a divorce?”

Whitney couldn’t even begin to tear down the slanderous words Elaine had crafted against her. She

shook her head with determination, “I have no ulterior motives, Ludwik. I just want to take care of you.

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Consider it my penance, or whatever you will. Let’s talk about all this once you’re better. If you still want

to split then, I’ll agree. But now, please don’t push me away!”

Ludwik stared at the stubborn woman before him, took a deep, icy breath, and picked up the phone.

His call to Felix was filled with venom, “Intensify the financial sanctions on Skye Gem Ltd. Drive it to

bankruptcy as fast as you can!”

Whitney’s step faltered.

His towering silhouette enveloped her, his laugh cold, “No ulterior motives, huh?”

He was testing her, pressing her, still capable of manipulating Skye Gem Ltd. despite his fall from

grace. Whitney had to stand her ground. Begging for mercy now would only confirm her impure

intentions, proving she wasn’t sincere about him

Bitterness filled her heart, unspeakable as she stared at his icy facade, “May I come in now?”

“I have no need for your care. Get out of my sight! Security, lock her out.”

Ludwik didn’t look back as he strode into the villa, his long legs moving with chilling indifference that

sent a shiver down one’s spine

Chapter 180

Chapter 180

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