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.

warmth that seemed to scorch

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 simply hooked

with her? Whitney felt like she was running out of

rising temperature and

like a

looked triumphant, his eyes revealing

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

movements, she leaned toward the man’s chiseled jaw, her lips brushing past his

did not kiss him,

grew heavier, and she heard

him, “So, Sir, are you feeling a bit

heavy. His chest heaved with a

he took control of her chin and brought

2 0 F S G B F

mind went

lips over

with red, staring at her flushed

after, Whitney heard the sound of running water

had taken the time

covered her crimson

into a kiss? She hurriedly began to clear the tableware, trying to calm herself, but her heartbeat was still skipping

Could it be…

face flushed

both

this man’s flirting game

burrowed under her covers, thanking her lucky stars

woke up with heavy eye

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15:01

tie, Madein?”

he gone blind at such

to tie

her to stand on tiptoes, and she looped the tie

knot, effortlessly untied it, and headed downstairs, muttering, “I have to

Whitney’s face turned

her down for breakfast, but she

pregnant. Whitney opened the curtains to

a figure caught Whitney’s eye in

the passenger seat, a mass of curly hair obscuring her face, but her silhouette was

as the man approached, holding the tie Whitney had playfully

He did not refuse.

drove off

previous tenderness on her face cooling into a straight, calm

Unlikely, a secretary would not act

Who was she?

felt ridiculous for doing

man were married only by agreement because of the sudden arrival of the child, and

not normal for him to have had a

all, the deal was just for a year. Maybe when it ended, he would

Whitney thought, but her heart

with her last night

just an expert in the game,

had been doused with cold water and

she confused about last night? Or did she think he was a good person just because he had saved

had given her been enough? After experiencing all that despair, she would

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15:01

for his tie. He glanced at

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

business, Whitney

tie into her hands and standing tall before her, “Hanging around to tie my tie,

“Has he gone blind

she walked over to him. His towering height required her to stand on tiptoes, and she looped the tie around his neck, knotting it tightly, her voice soft. “Like this, Sir. Is this to your

at the knot, effortlessly untied it, and headed downstairs, muttering, “I have to travel

at the sight, and Whitney’s face turned even redder as she ducked back into her

her, inviting her down for

the curtains to see if the man had left; she

caught Whitney’s eye in the car, waiting for

hair obscuring her face, but her silhouette was unmistakably