Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 44

Whitney’s cheeks were flushed with anger as she took several gulps of the drink.

L quirked a grin, asking. Tastes bad, huh?”

“Yes,” Whitney lied defiantly, although, in truth, it was not bad at all–he was quite the chef.

His brows arched quizzically, and he leaned closer, “Let me be the judge of that.

Instead of tasting from the glass, his lips found hers in a sudden kiss.

“Hey!” She protested, words muffled. How could he do this again? Whitney struggled, but his absence had clearly affected him, his kisses growing more fervent, Gradually, her resistance faded, her grip crumpling the

fabric of his shirt.

His back was a landscape of strength, which Whitney dared not touch as her cheeks blushed even deeper. Finally, he pulled away to catch his breath, looking at her intently. “Now, you can explain properly.”

How could he? After teasing her, he had the nerve to ask for an explanation?

Pushing him away, Whitney stood up, her voice tinged with annoyance. “There’s nothing to clarify. Mr. L, your personal phone line was answered by some other woman. That alone tells me all I need to know about you. We may be in a contract marriage, but while I won’t meddle in your colorful private life, don’t you dare flirt with me. Got it?”

The atmosphere in the room turned icy.

He stepped forward, his presence chilling. “Me? Colorful private life?”

“Isn’t that so?” Whitney went on, feeling a need for clarity. “Eight days ago, I called you in the afternoon, and a woman answered.”

Frowning, he pulled out his phone and shoved it into her hands. “Check for yourself,”

Whitney took the phone, surprised by his boldness. Guilty men would never hand over their phones so easily. yet he was utterly indifferent.

Feeling a bit awkward but determined not to lose face, Whitney scrolled through the call log.

Eight days back, she checked once, and the record was gone.

smirked, “You deleted it, Mr.

with mockery. “If I really had someone else, why would I hide it from you?

pain shot

How dare he?

think

him away.

into her eyes. “If you want to be someone to me, then try harder. He leaned in, whispering with a mix of arrogance

slowly comprehending

realization–was she the only

stammered, “Don’t talk nonsense to me. I don’t understand it anyone’s

service,” he said, his lips curving into

still upset about the mysterious phone call.

his arms around her waist, his eyes gleaming with pleasure. “All this fuss over a phone call. You’re just jealous, aren’t you? I have to admit it’s quite fun to see you jealous. What

jealous. You

out,

him away, losing patience. “Can’t you ever stop, Mr. L?”

he opened to reveal some medical supplies. He rolled up his trouser leg to show a significant wound on

asked, “Got

injured if not for you? Ungrateful thing,

obediently applied the antiseptic and

she worked, he asked out of the blue, “Did your stepsister

looked up, surprised he knew. “Are you

like I’m over it? Do I look like I

own grievances still not addressed. He still had yet to explain the phone

see that Ludwik, my dear rival. He’s got the power,

frosty. “Ludwik interested in you?

catch! Though he’s a scoundrel at heart, a one–time investment

lips thinned in displeasure. “And how would you make

and

ladies‘ man like you would know best. We’re just in a business arrangement, you have no

threat and amusement. “Ludwik wouldn’t give you a second glance, especially not a pregnant

us?” She asked eagerly. He stood up abruptly, grabbing

plenty of secret chambers for lovers to choose