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!”

broke the tension as she entered from the doorway, “What’s going on with Whitney? How did she manage to bring such cheer to you two young masters along

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

make, and Ludwik had moved the meeting from the corporation’s headquarters

a graceful

I drove over from the branch office,” she said,

her with

paused at the mention of ‘Whitney‘, accompanied by her coy laughter. Quickly, he greeted her with a

me,” Elaine responded, slightly annoyed

in her business attire, exuding a noble

she drew attention as she casually approached the window, smiling, “I saw Whitney sneaking

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awkward as neither Nolan

a file, his expression serious,

caught Parker’s eye,

If we didn’t know her history with Ludwik, I’d

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

The true belle of Emperor City, Elaine from the Bartels family, has more means, stature, and cunning than Whitney. If she’s truly moved on, fine. But

As the 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 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

waiting for the year to pass. But what’s Ludwik’s real play here? He seems quite taken with Whitney. Either way, Ludwik definitely doesn’t have any feelings toward Elaine;

glance, “Ludwik knows his

concealed in the shadows. Despite maintaining a composed facade,

curled into a

without causing

past ten, Ludwik was preparing to

on tailing you today,

“Mr. Lippert has a meeting at Alpine Springs Resort today, discussing a partnership.

come, and Whitney was over two

his breath, and glanced at Parker, “You

decoy?” Parker

the one with the cute, doe–eyed look? Maybe I should

type,” Ludwik replied, his words

Nolan was left speechless.

clutching a folder, her demeanor both efficient and gentle. “Ludwik, Mr. Lutz happens to be at the Alpine Springs Resort.

cast a meaningful glance