Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 33

“Sotankadent The door knocked, and Xandra came in with a tray of warm comfort food, saying. Ser asked me to prepare something light for you. The old lady has already eaten. No need to wait up for her?

When did he instruct Xandra? They had been arguing all the way here

Whitney took the trey sullenly

The rise had spent quite a while in the bathroom, doing who knows what. After he came out, Whitney finally went in wash her hands.

That was when she spotted a jade ring on the vanity, but it was only half of one as if it had been snapped in

two

Because of her background in jewelry design, Whitney instinctively picked it up. A memory surfaced unbidden–the man she saved that year gave her a half–ring as a token of gratitude. At the time, Whitney had not paid much attention. After her business bid failed, she had returned to the Valentine family, and within a few days, the ring was lost.

Their meeting was a fleeting connection, and Whitney had long stopped dwelling on his promise of repayment. But whose half–ring was this? Whitney lifted her head and walked out, bumping straight into L, who was returning to the room.

The man saw the object in her hand and immediately took it, saying. “Thank you.”

Whitney watched him carefully pocket it, treating it with such importance. “Is it something very important?”

“Yeah

So important, who gave it to him?

Whitney’s eyes deepened. She could not help but ask, “Mr. L, is this from a girlfriend?”

The man glanced over, his tone teasing, “What are you trying to find out?”

Whitney immediately pursed her lips, pretending to be indifferent, “Before you and I entered our marriage agreement, did you perhaps have a girlfriend?”

He propped his hand against his chiseled jaw, chuckling, “Who was it just now who wanted to set clear boundaries, and now you’re prying into my private affairs? Isn’t that a bit of a contradiction?”

Whitney turned red–faced, caught off guard. “No one wants to know. If you won’t tell, then don’t.”

The man walked back to the door, his lips curling slightly, “I have a wife, but she’s not very obedient.”

He stepped out, and his assistant asked him in a low voice, “Sir, are you still giving the departure gift to Madam?”

The man spoke indifferently, “A little ingrate, what’s the point? Toss it in the trash.”

The assistant was speechless.

Very astutely, he walked in and threw something into the trash can next to Whitney’s feet.

Sipping her soup, Whitney looked down and saw “Gemstone Gazette“! She was surprised and quickly picked it up. This was an original, hard to come by. It contained jewelry knowledge compiled by the world–renowned master L.C., a mysterious prodigy who gained fame at a young age and was Whitney’s idol. Unfortunately, he was so low–profile and rarely released his work!

Whitney clutched the book to her chest in adoration. Then her face went blank.

Was this the gift L brought her from his trip? How did he know she was preparing for a design competition? Oh, she had let it slip while having spaghetti that day.

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Chapter

fluttered like

at the table full

allure that women found irresistible, and he had perfected the art? And that teasing answer just now, was he denying he had

not read him, mysterious men were too dangerous, drawing one deeper

orbit

to build

approaching, smoking

“Ludwik, what’s your deal with this Whitney? Were you

glanced at

approached, handing over a file, “Sir, there’s been–no progress on the night you were set up, and whether Ms. Valentine is a

“Keep investigating.”

said, “Nolan, Ludwik is still observing the lady. In his high position, he’s naturally suspicious. Plus, Natalie’s safety is paramount. But while he doesn’t trust easily, he can’t resist teasing the girl in his loneliness. He’s not far from

and fixed Parker with a cold, inscrutable

Parker chuckled softly.

hospital for recovery, Whitney was taken for

baby was five weeks along, just over a month

pressure at the villa, seeing the tiny seahorse–like blob on

had to start coming to terms with this

she really plan to keep it? After a year, to give the child to L and cut all ties, returning to a state of strangers–could she bear

as she looked at the path ahead, knowing she could only take one step

was vital to pacifying Natalie’s health for the time

at the tiny seahorse and smiled all

stayed by her bedside, opening

evening had fallen, and the tall figure of the man entered, his suit jacket elegantly slung over his

on a lamp, but the

warmth enveloped her from behind did she realize he

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Chapter 33

heart fluttered like ripples on

looked at the table full of appetizers, biting her lip.

allure

men were too dangerous, drawing one deeper and

orbit.

needed to

Nolan saw Ludwik approaching, smoking a cigarette, his stern features as expressionless as

perplexed, “Ludwik, what’s your deal with this Whitney? Were you planning

glanced at him,

handing over a file, “Sir, there’s been no progress on the night you were set up, and whether Ms. Valentine is

“Keep investigating.”

suspicious. Plus, Natalie’s safety is

Parker with a cold, inscrutable look, then strode away with a swift

Parker chuckled softly.

while Natalie stayed in the hospital for

was five weeks along,

blood pressure at the villa, seeing

Whitney’s emotions

strange and

1. ex.