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.

deleted it, Mr. L. Or maybe that

against the wall, his voice laced with mockery. “If I really had someone else, why would I hide it from you? Who do you think you are? Besides, I don’t have any secret chambers for

pain shot through Whitney’s

How dare he?

did she think

palpable as she pushed him away. “You’re right.

arrogance and tenderness, “And just so you know, I’m not interested in women… but if I had

blinked, slowly comprehending

a sudden realization–was she the only

nonsense to me. I don’t understand it anyone’s benefiting, it’s

to benefit, I’m at your service,” he said, his lips

waste of breath, Whitney huffed, still upset about the mysterious phone call. No sincerity,

jealous, aren’t you?

jealous. You

breathed out, tickling

patience. “Can’t you

hand to the bedside cabinet, which he opened to reveal some medical supplies. He rolled up his

“Got

if not for you? Ungrateful thing,

applied the antiseptic and wrapped the wound with fresh bandages, her fingers

asked out of the blue,

looked up, surprised he knew. “Are you offering to

look like I’m over it? Do I look like I want

still had yet to explain the phone call or the woman

that Ludwik, my dear rival. He’s got the power, he seems interested in me. Maybe I’ll

turned frosty. “Ludwik interested in you? Are

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

displeasure. “And how would you make this one–time

and

know best. We’re just in a business arrangement, you have

amusement. “Ludwik wouldn’t give you a second

eagerly. He stood up abruptly, grabbing his coat.

chambers for lovers to choose from, don’t I? I’ll just pick on,” he