Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 126
The door was shut tight, and his towering frame pressed down upon the bed, engulfing Valerie’s petite face in his grasp. A mix of
disgust and an uncontrollable desire to touch her surged through him as he began to peel away her clothing.
As her fair skin was exposed, the fire within him raged out of control–a fire certainly kindled earlier at Elaine’s apartment.
But he could not touch Elaine, so his hunger was redirected towards this woman.
He leaned in, ready to bite.
Valerie pushed him away coldly, her voice laced with biting sarcasm as she said, “You’re here to hassle me over Elaine, right?
Hypocrite, you loathe me, so when did you start craving my body? Enjoyed it last time, didn’t you?”
Ashton’s face twisted as if she had stripped away his mask, a flash of embarrassment in his eyes. He grabbed her fiercely, his
voice icy with mockery. “Don’t you get it? You’re just a stand–in. Even now, it’s her I’m thinking about.”
“Get off me!” Valerie could not stand it anymore.
Her heart felt like it was being pierced with a sharp spike.
“She’s so wonderful, why don’t you go to her? Didn’t Ludwik cast her aside?”
“If she had not been in love with Ludwik, do you think I would have married you?”
So, this marriage was just charity from Elaine?
A bitter smile crossed Valerie’s heart, her face growing colder. Suddenly, she laughed. “Good thing Ludwik isn’t as blind as you.
You’re the only one who treasures that woman. You have no idea how evil she is!”
Ashton gripped her chin tightly, “And you think you have the right to talk about her? She risked her life to save me once, and
when I asked you to get help, you did not.”
Looking into his cold eyes, Valerie suddenly lost the will to argue.
This was why Ashton hated her.
Back then, she had saved him, nearly freezing to death while getting him clothes.

But returning, she saw Elaine administering CPR to Ashton, and Elaine even slandered her, claiming she had delayed getting
help.
That was when Ashton’s heart turned cold.
Valerie did not know just how malicious Elaine was in her targeting.
Valerie had tried to explain, time and again, that she was the one who saved him.
But there was something about explanations, the more you give, the more misunderstandings grow.
Ashton saw her as a selfish woman who left him for dead.
Now, she had given up on explaining.
She could not care less about the man’s misunderstandings and indifference.
Valerie pushed him away forcefully, refusing to be tormented any longer. Then, suddenly, a chilling voice. echoed from
downstairs, “Ashton, get out here!”

Ashton tensed; even he feared that voice.
Outside. Nolan rushed down. “Holy smokes, why are you here. Ludwik?“.
Ashton, pressing a hand to his forehead, had no choice but to get up and straighten his shirt.
Valerie seized the chance to kick him away and distanced herself.
Downstairs, Ashton emerged to face the imposing Ludwik, a formidable presence that made one’s blood run

cold
Ashton carried an air of rebellion, but even he fell short in presence.
Ludwik strede over with icy determination and kicked at Ashton, his voice a cold interrogation, “Who gave you the right to wag
your tongue about Whitney?”
Ashton staggered, quickly regaining his footing, and returned a punch in rage, “You dare hit your friend over some woman?”
“Anyone who meddles in my business is looking for trouble.”
Ludwik was ruthless.
Nolan and Parker stood by, uneasy in the presence of Ludwik’s wrath.
Ashton often targeted Ludwik over Elaine in the past.
Ludwik, indifferent to Elaine, had looked the other way.
But this time, touching on Whitney had provoked Ludwik to violence.
Ashton’s surprise turned to anger. “Elaine was your fiancée. You’ve fallen for that scheming Whitney?”
“Centuries ago, Elaine and I were done,” Ludwik said, his voice dropping into a cold rage as he was reminded of how Whitney
did not trust him.
He landed another punch on Ashton and walked away to smoke in the night, warning, “Ashton, say another word to Whitney, and
don’t blame me for ending our friendship for good.”
From the upstairs balcony, Valerie watched, shock flickering through her as she saw Ludwik’s gorgeous face.
Tiana had told her that Whitney married a mysterious man of unknown status, likely a significant figure.

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Valerie had assumed he was one of Elaine’s many suitors.
Little did she know, Whitney had not only married the renowned Ludwik Lippert but had also captured his heart. Thinking of
Elaine, Valerie felt a surge of satisfaction.
Whatever unfolded downstairs, Ashton left in a cold fury.
Nolan and Parker, always on Ludwik’s side, stood smoking in the night. Nolan looked at Ludwik’s dark
expression and ventured, “Whitney asked me about it at the gala. I was shocked, Ludwik, Why lie and make met cover for you? I
knew Whitney would be upset.”
“She asked you, too?” Ludwik’s eyes turned frosty.
Nolan reasoned, “She must have suspected something, I mean, with such an ‘excellent sister by your side, which woman would
not?”
“And you didn’t think to warn me?” Ludwik’s voice was icy.
Nolan rolled his eyes, complaining inwardly. “Who dares to confront you about lying to your wife, Ludwik Lippert?”

Nolan wondered, “Why didn’t you tell Whitney the truth from the start?”
“The ties between Elaine and me are complex. Whitney doesn’t even know who I am. How could I explain? Besides, I didn’t want
trouble,” Ludwik said in frustration.
Typical male pride, now complicating matters.

Hon shook his head. “Then did you properly explain things to Whitney?”
Cubenk’s page turmedics. She refused to listen to my explanation, insisting she’s become the mistress.”
vadjamad
wer adjusted his glasses, chucking Do you think Ludwik is the type to coax a woman? Please.”
masikan nodded knowing as Ludwa shot a chilling glare, the night deepening around them.
Notar looked at Luck with a mix of sympathy and exasperation. “You know, Whitney isn’t entirely wrong to
De does. You broke off your engagement with Elaine in private without making it public. And as Elaine stays in the company,
maintaining the balance of power for the Lippert family, the Lipperts and the Banels wit assume she’s still in line for the top spot.
In everyone else’s eyes, isn’t Whitney the mistress?
must’ve been strong–arming her without a proper explanation.”
_lower tell silve
Parker rubbed his temples. “Ah, the trials and tribulations of dating an alpha male.”
Ludwik shot them a frosty glance. “So, what am I supposed to do?”
Parker squatted down on the spot and pulled out his smartphone.
Ludwik glanced over and saw him typing into the search engine: [I did something really moronic, how do I make it up to my
girfriend?]
Ludwik’s handsome face darkened
Nolan could not help but add. “You messed up. You deceived your wife. Even a dignified man like you can make mistakes. No
worries, we’ll think of something.”
Parker read out some advice from the internet, “Buy a durian, give the flesh to your wife, and you kneel on the
husks

Nolan shuddered, not daring to look at Ludwik.
Parker continued, “Go shirtless, strap on some thorns, and kneel at the front door. Or just go for chemical
castration.”
Nolan could not listen anymore. Those have to be female netizens! Look up some advice from the guys.”
Parker searched again. “Just keep buying her gifts.”
Take her straight to a fancy hotel.”
*Get her 9,999 roses.”
Ludwik’s proud face remained impassive. The second option is not bad. The first and third are too cliché.”
Nolan and Parker had nothing to add.
Parker stood up, patting Ludwik on the shoulder with grave sincerity, “I’ll spend all night looking up relationship manuals and get
back to you tomorrow”
“She might want to break up with me by tomorrow. I need something tonight!” Ludwik declared decisively.
Parker thought, “Jesus Christ, Ludwik...
After a sleepless night, Whitney prepared to leave Tiana’s apartment for the office the next morning.
As soon as she opened the door, she was greeted by an overwhelming sea of flowers that nearly knocked her off her feet!.