Love beyond the mask1-100

Novel Catalog

Chapter_70

Whitney had never imagined that Yvonne could be cruel enough to sever the finger of a six-year-old child. Chaos ensued in the Valentine family. Yvonne and Preston had a complete falling out, which was exactly what Whitney had hoped for. However, she was the one who leaked the video of the love child.

After the child was kidnapped by Yvonne, Whitney had someone notify Violet. Thankfully, the rescue was quick, and the child’s finger was able to be reattached. After confirming the situation at the hospital, Whitney and Tiana left.

Tiana couldn’t resist commenting, “Your dad would love to see you six feet under, and here you are, worrying about his love child.”

Whitney’s gaze instinctively dropped to her belly. “The kid has nothing to do with this; he’s just six years old.”

“Right,” Tiana quipped, “When are you gonna start showing? You’re still so skinny, but those curves are still killer. Lucky L’s got it good.”

Whitney blinked in surprise. “We never really talked about kids,” she murmured, her thoughts drifting. They weren’t exactly close before, and now?

Without thinking, Whitney texted Tiana’s words to L. His response on Facebook was a simple, confused: [?]

Whitney smiled as she read his next reply: [If this trial marriage goes well, I’ll take either, or better yet, a whole soccer team.]

Whitney couldn’t help but roll her eyes, texting back: [Am I a breeding sow?]

L replied almost instantly: [I think you need a more accurate description. Little mama pig, yeah?]

Just as she was about to reply with a playful retort, Tiana’s scrutinizing gaze interrupted. “Aww, getting all doe-eyed chatting with L? You two are moving fast! Did something happen on that hot spring trip?”

“What are you talking about?” Whitney protested, trying to hide her embarrassment.

“You texted him on Facebook, and he replied right away. L’s a busy man, but he still makes time for you. Sounds like love is in the air,” Tiana teased, playing detective.

Whitney blushed deeply, unable to deny it. Finally, she spilled the beans. “It’s a trial marriage. We’re giving it a shot. He wants something stable, and I understand that. Business-minded men like him don’t usually associate love with marriage, so I need to see if he really likes me.”

Tiana raised an eyebrow. “L’s proud. If he’s flirting with you, it means he’s into you. And you? I can tell you’re halfway there. Love after marriage, sparks flying— you won’t be able to resist him.”

“There’s nothing to resist. Sure, he’s got a hot body, but he’s got scars too,” Whitney said, trying to change the subject.

Tiana’s eyes widened. “You’ve seen L’s real face?”

“No, I caught a glimpse before he stopped me,” Whitney explained.

Tiana clicked her tongue. “Scars are sexy! They’re a badge of a rugged man. Those pretty boys like Ludwik are rare, but they’re untouchable and less exciting. You know what I mean?”

Though Whitney could tell Tiana was trying to cheer her up, it felt like her friend was quickly changing sides. Just then, her phone rang. The number was unfamiliar.

To her surprise, it was Elaine. Whitney’s smile was faint but evident. “Elaine? What’s going on?”

“Well, when Bro saved me that day, I felt the need to thank you properly,” Elaine explained, her tone sweet. “I was thinking it would be best to thank you directly, so I’d like to gift you some baby clothes.”

Elaine’s voice was friendly and inviting, subtly pulling Whitney closer while also signaling that she wanted to distance herself from L.

Whitney raised an eyebrow, understanding what Elaine was trying to do. With a slight nod, she agreed to meet. “Sure, where should we meet up?”

“Queen’s Square, does that work for you?” Elaine suggested, her tone chipper.

After hanging up and agreeing on the location, Tiana drove them there. “You’re free anyway, come meet her with me.”

As they arrived at Queen’s Square, Tiana was about to ask more questions when Elaine walked in. The woman was dressed in a tailored suit that hugged her waist, her long curls cascading down her back. She moved with effortless grace, exuding an air of refinement.

Whitney observed silently, while Tiana couldn’t help but gawk. Elaine was strikingly beautiful, and in terms of looks, she was a match for Whitney. As Elaine approached with a playful glint in her eyes, Whitney introduced her friend. “Elaine, this is Tiana.”

“Hi, Tiana!” Elaine greeted, her voice warm and friendly.

Tiana waved back with a grin. “Hey there.”

Elaine’s presence was calm and charismatic, and Whitney couldn’t help but admire her composed demeanor. As they all sat down, Elaine continued the conversation, holding a tastefully understated custom-made bag. She even mentioned how the baby clothes she brought were crafted from the finest natural materials.

“Your baby can wear them as soon as they arrive, though it’s a bit early,” Elaine added with a wink. “Just focus on a healthy pregnancy, Whitney. Let my bro pamper you until you’re nice and plump for the delivery.”

Tiana, ever the one to ask questions, asked curiously, “So, Elaine, where are you from? I know Banyan City like the back of my hand, but I’ve never seen a beauty like you around.”

Elaine chuckled. “You flatter me, Tiana. I’m from Emperor City. I work at my brother’s company there. Just a hardworking employee.”

The mention of Emperor City caught Whitney’s attention. She had heard of the prestigious Bartels family in Emperor City—a famous medical dynasty. Whitney wasn’t familiar with the extravagant families there, but her mind began to race. Could Elaine be part of that circle? After all, Whitney’s mother and grandfather had once come from Emperor City, though they had arrived in Banyan City under mysterious circumstances.

Shaking herself from her thoughts, Whitney speculated that Elaine was a socialite, her refined appearance giving that impression. Elaine then added, “These outfits are made with the best fabrics. Don’t worry, Whitney, just focus on staying healthy.”

The dessert cart rolled up just then, and Elaine stood to serve them treats. Tiana was taken aback by her down-to-earth, no-nonsense behavior, which felt genuine and unpretentious. After a bit more casual conversation, Elaine’s phone buzzed urgently, and she stood, flashing an apologetic smile. She shook Whitney’s hand warmly. “I hope we can be good friends. Let’s hang out more, yeah?”

“Absolutely,” Whitney replied, smiling back.

Elaine cheerfully disappeared into the elevator, leaving behind a sense of warmth.

Tiana, still nibbling on her cheesecake, asked, “Is she a new friend you’ve made? L’s sister, right?”

“What do you make of her?” Whitney asked.

“She’s bubbly, sweet, and kind—she even served us dessert without any airs. She’s not the diva type at all,” Tiana said with a chuckle.

Whitney’s eyes twinkled. “What if I told you her watch alone is worth a fortune and that she’s anything but ordinary? She’s actually the Vice President of L’s company.”

Tiana paused, her brow furrowing. Whitney smiled faintly. “Isn’t it strange? A VP would usually have a certain presence, yet Elaine is so approachable, playful, even childlike. There’s a gap between her public persona and private demeanor. It just doesn’t add up.”

Tiana frowned, now sensing the discrepancy. “Do you think she’s pretending to be harmless to get closer to you?”

Whitney shrugged noncommittally. “I don’t assume everyone I meet is an adversary, but I can sense when someone’s intentions are off. Time will tell.”

What truly intrigued Whitney was why Elaine, an heiress, was working at L’s company. How deep was her devotion to her brother? Or was L’s company truly that impressive?

As Whitney returned to the villa, she was lost in thought. When she entered, Natalie saw the baby clothes and smiled. “You’re buying clothes for our little peanut already? Playing mom, huh?”

“It’s not like that, Mom. Elaine gave them to me,” Whitney explained.

Natalie’s smile faltered, and she examined the clothes closely. “Why would she give you baby clothes?”

“She just wanted to be kind, I guess.”

Later, Whitney noticed something odd. Natalie had thrown the clothes away by the backyard trash can. Shocked, Whitney approached her. “Mom, why are you throwing away brand-new clothes?”

Natalie looked startled but quickly recovered. “The fabric… it’s not suitable for a newborn. Elaine probably didn’t know any better. Don’t worry, I’ve already bought plenty of clothes for the baby. Come upstairs and see.”

Despite her mother’s explanation, Whitney couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Why would Natalie throw away clothes from Elaine, of all people? Was there some underlying tension or a reason she couldn’t understand?

As Natalie left for an injection, Taryn approached, explaining that Natalie’s forgetfulness sometimes led to strange behavior. Whitney was left contemplating whether her mother’s actions were related to something forgotten, something she no longer remembered about Elaine.

The mystery continued to grow, and Whitney’s curiosity about Elaine deepened.

Next Chapter