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.

smirk, “And the chair, six million, imported fine

implication, “You… Mr. Lippert, you

me!

his muscular arm bracing against the chair. With only three fingers, he had pinned her

in his eyes. “As you know, a greedy and lustful man like me tends to give some contestants an unfair advantage. Some are willing to showcase their cleavage, among other things,

his eyes were wickedly playful as he leaned

Lippert, are proposing indecent favors in exchange for winning the competition?”

17:48

free, her skin trembling. She scrambled away from his imposing figure like a startled

after her with an

I’ll tell you this – I’ll rise again

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

He was a scoundrel!

her flats and bolted. “Don’t you dare think about me! ! have a husband, and I love him. I will

further. “How would

without a word, her suspicions about the man’s

the assistant walked in with two lunches. “Sir, why

The man settled back in

held the

she calling him

rose with pleasure. She dared

thought, “Boss has stayed back on purpose just to tease his wife. Tsk tsk, the rich and their games of cat

climbed into Tiana’s

wants to meet up, a

Whitney replied while putting her laptop back in

at the Aquatic Harmony Club, where Stella had just appeared, her

how did you manage to escape the

Stella gave her a once–over, eyes brimming, “I

good now.” Whitney blinked

and headed to

of

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

have the time? And Tiana,

match. He’s a philanderer.” Tiana rolled

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

Whitney, “I heard from

her brows. “Who told you he’s 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, let’s drop that. I’ve heard you guys are really diving

skin trembling. She scrambled

looking after her with

grudge, but I’ll tell you this – I’ll

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