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.

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

implication, “You… Mr. Lippert, you were eavesdropping! Let go

me!

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

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

was composed, but his eyes were wickedly playful as he leaned in and

indecent favors in exchange for

17:48

She scrambled away from his imposing figure like

seated, looking after

You hold a grudge, but I’ll tell you

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

He was a scoundrel!

even more as she grabbed her flats and bolted. “Don’t you dare think about me! ! have a husband,

man’s lips curled further. “How would you know without

her

assistant walked in with two lunches. “Sir, why

Arrange for a car to take her home.” The man settled back in his chair, his eyes falling

chair still held the sweet scent of

calling him a

rose with pleasure.

his wife. Tsk tsk, the rich and their

Whitney climbed

wants to meet up, a little

back in her bag, smiling despite the earlier

the Aquatic Harmony Club, where Stella

to escape

film wrapped up, Whitney.” Stella gave her a once–over, eyes brimming, “I just heard about your trouble.

now.” Whitney blinked

headed

hat, revealing a cascade of rose–colored curls, the

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

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

a philanderer.” Tiana rolled her

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

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

brows. “Who told you

grin froze for 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

trembling. She scrambled away from his imposing figure

seated, looking after

I’ll tell you this

win lying down and not doing a thing, I’d rather welcome the challenge in bed.”