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, you were eavesdropping! Let

me!

arm bracing against the chair. With only three fingers, he had pinned her to the chair, unable

of a smile hiding 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

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

proposing indecent

17:48

foot free, her skin trembling. She scrambled away

seated, looking after her with an amused

Despicable! You hold a grudge, but I’ll tell you this – I’ll rise again and take you

welcome the

He was a scoundrel!

“Don’t you dare think about me! ! have a husband, and I love him. I will never stoop to your level. You’re not even half as handsome

lips curled further. “How would you know without

fled without a word, her suspicions about the

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

settled back in his chair, his eyes falling on a

chair still held the sweet scent of

calling him

rose with pleasure. She dared

to tease his wife. Tsk

Whitney climbed into

to meet up,

her laptop back in her bag, smiling despite

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

manage to escape the set?” Tiana

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

now.”

and headed to their private

cascade of

and more enchanting. Tell us, any love interests?” Tiana was

have the time? And Tiana, how

a philanderer.” Tiana rolled her

watched her friend’s dramatics. “And yet

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

you he’s

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

free, her skin trembling. She scrambled away from

after her with an

Despicable! You hold a grudge, but I’ll tell you

not doing a thing, I’d rather welcome the