Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 988

The mood was already in the gutter when he glared, his voice booming in anger, "Nolan, why the hell did you hit me? What's wrong with you? When did you get back?"

The man's eyes narrowed, his gaze involuntarily drifting past Nolan, as if hoping for a miracle.

Hoping to see Valerie's silhouette returning...

But his hopes were dashed; she was nowhere to be seen, not standing behind Nolan, not coming back to the Fuller family.

Ashton's features fell, a heavy feeling settling in his chest, even making it hard to breathe.

He couldn't vent the overwhelming sense of loss. His eyes moved back to Nolan, who was fuming like a wild animal, and his own anger flared. Grabbing Nolan's arm, which was poised to throw another punch, his eyes darkened, "You come and go as you please, and now I'm starting to wonder, did you hide Valerie away?

Nolan, she's your sister-in-law! You have no right to pursue her, let alone claim her as your own.

If you don't want us to turn against each other as brothers, then hand her over!"

"What the hell are you talking about? Where did you see me hiding her? She doesn't want to come back. She's pinned you to her 'hate forever' board and is not planning to take you down. Do you know how much she despises you?" Nolan shot back with biting sarcasm. Ashton's heart seemed to stop, his complexion turning pale.

How much did Valerie despise him?

He had no idea that she had grown to loathe him to this point, locking him away in a box of hatred, planning never to see him again in this lifetime.

A wave of panic hit him, making it momentarily hard to breathe.

He glared at Ashton, shaking his head, "Bullshit! Valerie was head over heels for me at one point, wouldn't have stuck through four years of marriage otherwise, would she?

I get it, it must have been you stirring things up between us.

If you hadn't hidden her, why can't I find her after months of searching?

Nolan, you're nothing but a homewrecker, deliberately sabotaging her and me!

Did you convince her not to come back to the Fuller family, huh?"

Faced with such aggressive accusations, Nolan was so angry he wanted to smash him into the ground.

The handsome man's forehead bulged with veins, his anger turning into a bitter laugh, "So, I'm the thief crying 'catch the thief', huh? Blaming others for your own incompetence?

Yeah! It's all my fault, not yours for being fickle, constantly pining over that bitch Elaine, and breaking Valerie's heart beyond repair!

You satisfied with twisting the truth?

Your heart has been eaten by that bitch Elaine. Hand on heart, have you really looked for Valerie after she disappeared? No! In your world, Ashton, Valerie always comes last, least favored by you. You could leave for Emperor City for Ludwik, busy for months on end. Divorce meant nothing to you!

Because of your arrogance, you were sure Valerie loved you so much she'd lose her dignity, that even after a divorce she couldn't live without you. You bet she'd come back, feeding your pathetic ego.

Well, she's not coming back.

Have you faced the reality yet? She's done with you!!"

Ashton's breathing seemed to falter, his body shaking.

But Nolan wasn't done, his beautiful eyes red with rage, pointing at Ashton, "I thought after being divorced for so long, you'd finally reflect on her goodness.

But no, Ashton, you're beyond redemption.

You hooked up with that slut Elaine again?

That cunning woman came back to Banyan City with schemes, fishing for you because she knew there'd always be one stupid enough to work for her!

Ashton, Elaine plotted to kidnap Parker's daughter, your brother!

For a past favor, you'd ignore brotherhood, prefer to be at odds with Whitney just to protect that venomous woman. Let me tell you, I don't consider you my brother anymore; you've lost the respect of the Fuller family, deserved to be deserted by all, a fate of a broken family!" "Shut up!" Ashton's eyes flashed dangerously, a hint of violence in the air as he grabbed Nolan's arm, overpowering him with his military background and pinning him to the ground.

Perhaps feeling cornered, Ashton knelt down, his voice fierce, "You're taking Parker and Whitney's word for it? They went as far as plotting assassination to get back at Elaine!

Didn't you check if Elaine was released by the police without charges? She's turned over a new leaf.

But they won't let her be, wanting her dead.

Should I just watch her die? Without Elaine, there would be no me, Ashton, years ago!

You all accuse me of being involved with her? I don't give a damn, the innocent know themselves clean.

If it weren't for Whitney's meddling, I'd have cut ties with Elaine long ago. Now, I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't, caught in a no-win situation!"

"And if you didn't care for her? Does Elaine lack men's attention? Have you forgotten how she pretended to be pure but was already sleeping with Jarvis behind your back? She's nothing but a loose woman!

Such a vile person deserves to die! Ashton, I came here today to ask you straight, can you cut ties with Elaine, throw her out of Banyan City, end all relations, let her die!"

Nolan, panting, grabbed Ashton's tie, demanding an answer.

Ashton's cold gaze swept over him, a sneer on his lips, "There's nothing between us to cut."

"I want you to throw her out of Banyan City, got it?" Nolan pressed, "You're forcing me to hand over Valerie, but if you can't be alone, why should she come back?"

"Was it really you who interfered, stopping me from tracking her down? Where is Valerie now?"

"Look, if you take care of Elaine at the hospital, I'll spill everything."

"That's insane. Elaine's barely clinging to life with a pierced heart, and you want what, exactly? To finish her off? Come on, you, Whitney, and Parker, show some humanity. She's no threat anymore. I can't wrap my head around why you're so hell-bent on seeing her dead." "It's because Valerie's coming back. She has to leave Banyan City for good, she has to die. I want Valerie to have nothing but fairness, safety, and comfort! Do you even realize how much you owe Valerie? You have no clue. For what she's carrying..."

Nolan's thoughts drifted to the child, and he abruptly stopped, a truth choking him, wanting to reveal it to Ashton. Yet, seeing Ashton's unrepentant demeanor, Nolan was struck with disappointment and couldn't trust him with the truth. Who knows what kind of lunacy Ashton might resort to upon learning it? Would that not be an even deadlier blow to Valerie?