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!”

voice laced with laughter, broke the tension as she entered from the doorway, “What’s going on with Whitney? How did

in a chic business suit nodding at him, “Elaine,

Imperial Gem Corporation had an important decision to make, and Ludwik had

with a graceful smile.

drove over from the branch office,”

greeted her with composure,

her coy laughter. Quickly, he greeted her

love to tease me,” Elaine responded, slightly

in her business attire, exuding a noble

approached the window, smiling,

1/3

12:03

awkward as

expression serious, Let’s start the

Nolan caught Parker’s eye, signaling

nervously, “Elaine’s ‘Whitney 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 she over him,

“With her position at the Imperial Gem Corporation and her distinguished background from Emperor City, not to mention being strategically placed in Ludwik’s company by both families, she

me. The true belle of Emperor City, Elaine from the Bartels family, has more means, stature,

significant importance within the Lippert family. Ludwik, with his mother in tow, is actually walking on thin ice. Do you think he wouldn’t let her go if he could? But based on this situation, if Elaine doesn’t express her intention to leave, Ludwik will

real play here? He seems quite taken with Whitney. Either way, Ludwik definitely doesn’t have any feelings toward Elaine; otherwise, he would have acted

“Ludwik knows his

concealed in the shadows. Despite maintaining a composed facade,

curled into a

departed discreetly, without causing a

was preparing to leave the Royal

set on tailing you today, Ludwik. What’s the

a meeting at Alpine Springs Resort today, discussing a partnership. It’s chilly; his mother needs

come, and Whitney

at Parker, “You go to Imperial

the decoy?”

a mischievous grin, “You know Whitney’s friend, the one with the cute,

Ludwik replied, his words sharp and without

Nolan was left speechless.

demeanor both efficient and gentle. “Ludwik, Mr. Lutz happens to be at the Alpine Springs Resort. Shall we ride together?

meaningful