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

close to her ear. His cheek brushed against her hair, hovering just an inch from

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

matter?” He noticed her rising temperature and arched an

a little

his eyes

to be outdone.

the man’s chiseled

did not kiss him,

grew heavier, and she heard his breathing

challenging him, “So, Sir, are

with his large hand, his gaze burning, breath heavy. His chest heaved

control of her chin and brought his

2 0 F S G B F 3 ±

went blank, struggling

lips over hers, not

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

heard the sound of running water in the

time to

her crimson face,

calm herself, but her

Could it be…

flushed

her twice before, and both times, she had been too busy resisting. But

flirting game

her covers, thanking her lucky stars

woke up with

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15:01

tie, Madein?”

Whitney wondered, “Has he gone blind at

to tie my

to him. His towering height required her to stand on tiptoes, and she looped the tie around his neck, knotting it tightly, her

glanced down at the knot, effortlessly untied it, and headed downstairs, muttering, “I have to travel for work.

and Whitney’s face turned even redder as she ducked back into her

her down for breakfast, but she refused

pregnant. Whitney opened the curtains to see if the man had left; she would head

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

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

Whitney had playfully knotted,

He did not refuse.

drove off

the previous tenderness on

a secretary would

Who was she?

yet also felt ridiculous for doing

only by agreement because of the sudden arrival of the child, and he still

was it not normal for him to have

the deal was just for a year.

Whitney thought, but her heart still

did he flirt with her last night if that was

the

doused with

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

enough? After experiencing

20/3

15:01

He glanced at her

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

own business,

her hands

he gone blind at

tiptoes, and she looped the tie

it, and headed downstairs, muttering, “I have to travel for work. I’ll

blushed at the sight, and Whitney’s face

called out to her, inviting her down for breakfast, but

striking quickly now that she was pregnant. Whitney opened the curtains to see if the man had left; she would head down to eat once

Whitney’s eye in

but her silhouette was unmistakably voluptuous. She wore a tight red