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.

curves, his lips curving into a devilish smirk, “And the chair, six

implication, “You… Mr. Lippert, you were

me!

against the chair. With only

a greedy and lustful man like me tends to give some contestants an unfair advantage. Some are willing to showcase their cleavage, among

were wickedly playful as he leaned in and whispered suggestively, Wanting

proposing indecent favors in

17:48

trembling. She scrambled away from his

seated, looking after her with an

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

He was a scoundrel!

dare think about me! ! have a husband, and I love

man’s lips curled further. “How

fled without a word, her suspicions about the man’s

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

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

held the

calling

pleasure. She dared

to tease his wife. Tsk tsk, the rich and their

Whitney climbed into Tiana’s

good news. “Stella wants to

while putting her laptop back in

arrived at the Aquatic Harmony Club, where Stella had

did you manage to escape the

gave her a once–over, eyes brimming, “I just heard about your trouble. Are

good now.” Whitney

hugged and headed to their

revealing a cascade of rose–colored

enchanting. Tell us, any love interests?” Tiana was ever the

time? And Tiana, how are

arranged match. He’s a philanderer.” Tiana rolled her

“And yet you’re totally smitten

toward Whitney, “I heard from Tiana that you’re expecting… Is it true the guy’s

told you he’s a thug? I

for a second before she quickly recovered, laughing off her faux pas, “Oh, maybe I got it mixed up with something I saw

her skin trembling. She scrambled away from his imposing

seated, looking after her with an amused

but I’ll tell you this – I’ll rise again and take you

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