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.

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

she realized the implication, “You… Mr. Lippert, you were eavesdropping! Let

me!

struggled, but he held her ankle, his muscular arm bracing against the chair. With only three fingers, he had pinned her to the

you know, a greedy and lustful man like me tends to give some

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

the great Mr. Lippert, are proposing indecent favors in

17:48

She scrambled away from his imposing

remained seated, looking after her with an

You hold a grudge, but I’ll

a thing, I’d rather welcome the challenge in bed.” His eyes narrowed, the corners of

He was a scoundrel!

about me! ! have a husband, and I love him.

“How would you know

word, her suspicions about the

with two lunches. “Sir, why

to take her home.” The man settled back in his chair, his eyes falling on a scrap of paper littered

still held the sweet scent of

calling him a

pleasure.

purpose just to tease his wife. Tsk tsk, the rich and their games of cat and

Whitney climbed into

to meet up, a little gathering this

replied while putting her laptop back in her bag, smiling despite

Harmony Club, where Stella

how did you manage to escape the set?” Tiana hugged

once–over, eyes brimming, “I just heard

good now.” Whitney

and headed to their

removed her hat, revealing a cascade of rose–colored

more enchanting. Tell us, any

I have the time? And Tiana, how are

arranged match. He’s a philanderer.” Tiana

dramatics. “And yet you’re totally

toward Whitney, “I heard from Tiana that you’re expecting…

her brows. “Who told you he’s a thug? I never said

“Oh, maybe I got it mixed up with something I saw

her skin trembling. She scrambled away from his

after her with

I’ll tell you this

win lying down and not doing a thing, I’d rather welcome the