Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 35

“Who cares? He’s my archenemy for life. Especially after he dared to accept Monica’s painting. That man is nothing but a devious snake, a greedy wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be a gentleman but with the

heart of a jackal

Whitney approached the bookshelf with a scowl, slapping the picture of the man back and forth with disdain.

Tiana, quivering nervously, whispered, “Isn’t it a bit much to be trash–talking and hitting his picture in his own

office

“Do you really think he’d have surveillance in his office?” Whitney snorted, scanning the room suspiciously.

She noticed a one–way mirror on the wall; the other side was probably another office.

At that moment, just a mirror away, the tall man stood with his arms crossed, an assistant beside him sweating bullets as he listened to the young madam’s tirade.

But the boss had a deep, amused smile on his lips like a man watching his kitten put up a playful fight utterly adorable

“No use. Tiana! With the way Monica cozied up to him, he took the bait. What’s the point of me even trying?”

Whitney slumped into a chair, her defeat weighing heavily on her.

“If only I could’ve taken him down before all this,” she gestured around the imposing office. “The desk, the

chair… It would all be mine.”

“Am I also yours, Ms. Valentine?” A deep, lazy voice suddenly came from the doorway, laced with a teasing lilt.

Whitney, who had been facing away, stiffened and spun around in her chair.

Tiana had vanished, and there stood a strikingly handsome man at the door, hands in pockets, his dark eyes fixed on her.

A heavy silence fell.

Whitney was a leading socialite, known for her grace and poise. Yet there she was, her legs disrespectfully thrown over the boss’s desk.

Whitney stiffened, then stood abruptly.

“Stay put.” The man raised an intrigued eyebrow, strode over, and grasped her delicate foot in his warm palm with one swift move. “This desk is worth three million, a fitting throne for your dainty feet.”

Before Whitney could react, he playfully tickled the sole of her foot, sending her face into a blaze.

She tried to pull away, but his firm grip held her in place, immobilizing her with just three fingers.

a devilish smirk, “And the

she realized the implication, “You… Mr. Lippert,

me!

her ankle, his muscular arm bracing against the chair. With only

smile hiding in his eyes. “As you know, a greedy and lustful man like me tends to give

composed, but his eyes were wickedly playful as he leaned in and whispered suggestively, Wanting the top prize is easy, Ms. Valentine.”

indecent favors in exchange for winning

17:48

foot free, her skin trembling. She scrambled away from his

looking after

retreated, seething, “Shameless! Despicable! You hold a grudge, but I’ll tell you this –

and not doing a thing, I’d rather welcome the challenge in bed.” His eyes narrowed, the corners of his mouth

He was a scoundrel!

more as she grabbed her flats and bolted. “Don’t you dare think about me! ! have a husband, and I love him. I will never stoop to your level. You’re

further. “How

without a word, her suspicions about the

in with

left in a huff. Arrange for a car to take her home.” The man settled back

chair still held the sweet scent of her

calling him a

pleasure. She dared to

back on purpose just to tease his wife. Tsk tsk, the

climbed

to meet up, a

laptop back in her bag, smiling

the Aquatic Harmony Club, where

you manage to

up, Whitney.” Stella gave her a once–over, eyes

good now.” Whitney blinked

and headed to their private

a cascade of

Tell us, any love interests?” Tiana was ever

would I have the time? And

a philanderer.” Tiana

watched her friend’s dramatics. “And yet you’re totally smitten

toward Whitney, “I heard from Tiana

you he’s

froze for a second before she quickly recovered, laughing off her faux pas, “Oh, maybe I got it mixed up with something I saw on TV. My bad. Anyway,

skin trembling. She scrambled away from

seated, looking after

a grudge, but I’ll tell you this – I’ll rise

not doing a thing, I’d rather welcome the challenge in bed.” His eyes narrowed, the corners