Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

“Who’s this nemesis of yours?” He took a sip.

“Imperial Gem Corporation’s obnoxious boss!”

His eyes darkened, “What beef does he have with you?”

“It’s an old family feud, a cutthroat business rivalry! You into business? If not, you wouldn’t understand,”

The assistant behind the boss stifled a laugh. The lady sure spoke her mind.

His eyes playful, L asked coldly, “Does your nemesis even take you seriously?”

“He said I have a small chest. That’s a grudge I won’t even let go!”

His gaze trailed down to the base of her neck. He frowned, failing to remember, and slowly said, “So he did, but haven’t you grown bigger?”

Whitney suddenly crossed her arms, her face turning red, “L, Whose side are you on?”

The assistant thought, “What an extremely interesting question.”

Elegantly taking a bite of spaghetti, he crossed his legs. “Don’t worry about the painting.”

“Why not?”

“Imperial Gem’s Mr. Lippert isn’t fond of landscape paintings.”

Whitney’s eyes sparkled. “You’re guessing? That’s what I thought, too! A man that handsome couldn’t possibly have such an old soul as to like landscape paintings, right? I’ll let you in on a secret. That creep likes young girls!”

The assistant twitched, glancing at the boss.

Noticing the man’s suddenly grim expression, Whitney was puzzled, “What’s the matter, Mr. L?”

He narrowed his cool eyes, “You could try a different approach to win him over.”

དེ་རི

Chapter 28

“How so?”

Your sign–in rewar. Come to claim your free coins.

“Come here.” He beckoned with a finger.

Suspicious, Whitney approached, her clean, soft nightgown revealing a slender waist as he pulled her into his

embrace.

She gasped, landing on his lap, his muscular physique solid and powerful.

Suddenly close in his arms, Whitney squirmed uncomfortably. He held down her struggling hands, his voice sinfully low, “There are a few ways a woman can please a man. Which do you think?”

Whitney caught on, her brows furrowed, “You mean I should seduce my nemesis? He can get lost; besides, I wouldn’t betray you.”

He raised an eyebrow. Whether he was pleased or cold was unknown. “You are quite loyal to me.”

“We have an agreement.”

“Shall we practice?” He suggested, seducing the young woman with his mature charm.

“Practice what?”

“Charm a man,” he murmured, his breath warming the delicate skin below her earlobe.

Whitney’s cheeks flushed a deep pink as his gaze darkened like ink, his large hand settling firmly on the small of her waist. He coached in a low voice, “To charm a man, you need to be soft–soft in your demeanor, tone, and movements.”

“How do I… be soft?” Whitney felt as if she were intoxicated, not by wine but by his intoxicating presence. How else could she explain following his lead so willingly?

The next moment, she felt weightless, gently lifted and placed on the tabletop.

Chapter 29

The plates were just beside her, and towering above was a man of statuesque stature.

exuded a warmth that seemed to scorch her smooth

he leaned down, bringing his handsome lips close to her ear. His cheek brushed against her hair, hovering just an inch from her lips, neither advancing nor retreating. He

this man flirting with her? Whitney felt like she was running out of breath, her face blushing furiously as she clutched his chiseled arm,

He noticed her rising temperature and arched

a little

his eyes revealing

embarrassed by his teasing, Whitney refused to be outdone. She straightened her back, deliberately draping her hands

toward the man’s chiseled jaw, her lips brushing past his Adam’s

drew near, she did not kiss him, maintaining

she heard his breathing deepen into a husky

eyes provocatively challenging him, “So, Sir, are

chin with his large hand, his gaze burning, breath heavy. His chest heaved with a dangerous edge. “Quite the

moment, he took control of her chin and brought his

G B F 3 ± 2 5

went blank, struggling

smirked, rolling his lips over hers, not letting her

he finally released her. Now, his eyes were tinged with red, staring at

after, Whitney heard the sound of running water

the time to set her down before he went

her crimson

just practicing? How had it turned into a kiss? She hurriedly began to clear the tableware, trying to calm herself, but her heartbeat was still skipping beats,

Could it be…

face flushed even

had kissed her twice before, and both times, she had been too busy resisting. But tonight, in addition to resistance, there seemed to be a

flirting game

thanking her lucky stars he had not entered her bedroom that

day, Whitney woke up with heavy

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tie, Madein?”

Whitney wondered, “Has he gone

around to

eyes widened as she walked over to him. His towering height required her to stand on tiptoes, and she looped the tie around his neck, knotting

“I have to travel for work. I’ll deal with you when

sight, and Whitney’s face turned even redder as she ducked

inviting her down for breakfast, but she

stomach growled, hunger striking quickly now that she was pregnant. Whitney opened the curtains to see if the man

caught Whitney’s eye in the

a mass of curly hair obscuring her face, but her silhouette was unmistakably voluptuous. She wore a tight red dress that was

had playfully knotted, the woman easily took it from

He did not refuse.

they drove

drapes, the previous tenderness on her face cooling into a straight, calm

secretary? Unlikely, a secretary would

Who was she?

yet also felt

by agreement because of the sudden arrival of the child,

was it not normal for him to have had a

just for a year. Maybe when it ended, he would marry

was what Whitney thought, but

did he flirt with her last night

just an expert in the game,

been doused with

was she confused about last night? Or did she think he was a

been enough? After

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in a shirt, reaching for his tie. He glanced at her with an air of noble indifference. He seemed

glared at him but was caught in the act. He curved his lips and said, “What do

own business,

tossing his tie into her hands and standing tall

he gone blind at such a young

towering height required her to stand on tiptoes, and she looped the tie around his neck, knotting it tightly, her voice soft. “Like

and headed downstairs, muttering, “I have to travel for work. I’ll deal with you when I

nearby, blushed at the sight, and Whitney’s face turned even redder

her, inviting her down for breakfast,

the curtains to see if the man had left; she would head down to eat once he

figure caught Whitney’s eye in the car, waiting for

of curly hair obscuring her face, but her silhouette was unmistakably