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.

into a devilish smirk, “And the chair, six million, imported fine wood, a worthy perch for

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

me!

the chair. With only three fingers, he had pinned her to

and lustful man like me tends to

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

indecent favors in exchange

17:48

She scrambled away from his imposing figure like a startled

seated, looking after

“Shameless! Despicable! You hold a grudge, but I’ll tell you this –

rather welcome the challenge

He was a scoundrel!

me! ! have a husband,

“How would you know without

a word, her suspicions

out, the assistant walked in with

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

held the sweet

calling him

brows rose with pleasure.

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

Whitney climbed into Tiana’s

wants to meet

laptop back in her bag, smiling despite the

where Stella had just appeared, her

manage to escape the set?” Tiana hugged

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

good now.”

headed to their

removed her hat, revealing a cascade of

us, any

And Tiana, how are things

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

dramatics. “And

glanced toward Whitney, “I heard from Tiana that

told you he’s a thug? I never said

recovered, laughing off her faux pas, “Oh, maybe I got it mixed up with something I

scrambled away from his imposing figure

after her with an

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

rather welcome the challenge in bed.”