Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 60

The man stood with statuesque grace, taking a drag from his cigarette, a wisp of smoke lazily curling into the air, partially obscuring his mature and refined features.

Before the panoramic window, he stood tall, akin to a king surveying his realm, his gaze fixed on the petite woman below.

Felix, ever the observant assistant, offered a pair of binoculars with a knowing grin. “Mr. Lippert, the view’s much better from up here. You’ll see Ms. Valentine clearly with these!”

Parker quirked a smile, “Felix, you’ve just earned yourself a raise.”

Nolan chimed in, “Definitely a raise for Felix.”

Felix blushed at the praise, but the man glanced at the binoculars and scowled, “What do you take me for? A peeping Tom?”

Felix froze, his body going rigid.

However, in the next second, Ludwik snatched the binoculars and peered through them with keen interest.

Silence fell.

Nolan whispered, “I think we just witnessed the fastest self–contradiction in history.”

Ludwik watched as Whitney struggled to sneak into the hedge, her cheeks glistening with perspiration as she searched for a perfect vantage point.

With casual authority, he commanded, “It’s blazing out there. Take an umbrella to her, but make sure she doesn’t spot you.”

Nolan couldn’t help but snicker, “Ludwik, you’re hopeless.”

The man turned, his expression icy, “I don’t want my child getting sunburned, alright?”

Nolan muttered under his breath, “Sure, flaunt your delicate wife while you can.”

“But you’ve got to admit, Whitney’s got brains, figuring out something’s up with her husband so fast. Still, I’d bet a dime she can’t outsmart the big bad wolf.”

Nolan agreed, “Stack another dime on that. She’s got no chance against Ludwik!”

tension as she entered from the doorway, “What’s going on with Whitney? How did she manage to

dressed in a chic business suit nodding at him, “Elaine, you’re here for the

had an important decision to make, and Ludwik had

a

drove over from the branch office,”

greeted her with composure, “Miss

mention of ‘Whitney‘, accompanied by her coy laughter. Quickly, he greeted her with a polite smile, “Elaine, always a

love to tease me,” Elaine responded,

in her business attire, exuding a noble charm that certainly didn’t

drew attention as she casually approached the

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awkward as neither Nolan

expression serious, Let’s

caught

had me breaking out in a cold sweat. Her expression was so natural. If we didn’t know her history with Ludwik, I’d let it slide. But that soft laugh of hers, is

Imperial Gem Corporation and her distinguished background from Emperor City, not to mention being

true belle of Emperor City, Elaine from the Bartels family, has more means, stature, and cunning than Whitney. If

chief jewelry designer at the Imperial Gem Corporation, and given her family connections, her role holds significant importance within the Lippert family. Ludwik, with his mother in

taken with Whitney. Either way, Ludwik definitely doesn’t have any feelings toward Elaine; otherwise, he would have acted long ago. So, it’s not really Whitney’s

him a glance, “Ludwik knows his own heart. Let’s

shadows. Despite maintaining a composed facade, her clenched teeth and strained

momentarily curled into a fist,

discreetly, without

was preparing to

set on tailing you today, Ludwik. What’s the plan for playing with your

Springs Resort today, discussing a partnership.

had come, and Whitney was

them with his breath, and glanced at Parker, “You go to Imperial

the decoy?”

mischievous grin, “You know Whitney’s friend, the one with the cute, doe–eyed look? Maybe I

her type,” Ludwik replied, his words

Nolan was left speechless.

demeanor both efficient and gentle. “Ludwik, Mr. Lutz happens to be at the

meaningful glance in