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.

lips curving into a devilish smirk, “And the chair, six million, imported fine wood, a worthy perch

implication, “You… Mr.

me!

but he held her ankle, his muscular arm bracing against the chair.

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

composed, but his eyes were wickedly playful as he leaned in and whispered suggestively, Wanting the

Mr. Lippert, are proposing indecent

17:48

She scrambled away from

looking after her

but I’ll tell you

I’d rather welcome the

He was a scoundrel!

“Don’t you dare think about me! ! have a husband,

lips curled further. “How would

fled without a word, her suspicions about

she stormed out, the assistant walked in with

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

still held the

she calling

brows rose with pleasure. She

tease his wife. Tsk tsk,

climbed

had good news. “Stella wants to meet

back

Harmony Club, where Stella had just appeared, her

manage to

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

good now.” Whitney blinked

headed to

revealing a cascade of rose–colored curls, the

you’re getting more and more enchanting. Tell us, any love interests?” Tiana was ever

frowned, “When would I have the time? And Tiana, how are things

He’s a philanderer.”

“And yet

smile hitched slightly as she glanced toward Whitney, “I heard from Tiana that you’re expecting… Is it true the

brows. “Who told you he’s a

it mixed up with something I saw on TV.

skin trembling. She scrambled away from

looking after

I’ll tell you this

welcome the challenge in bed.” His eyes narrowed, the corners