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 bring such

business suit nodding at him, “Elaine, you’re here

Ludwik had moved the meeting from the

a graceful

from the branch office,”

with composure,

laughter. Quickly,

tease me,” Elaine

was elegant in her business attire, exuding a noble charm that certainly didn’t stem from her

approached the window, smiling, “I saw Whitney

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turned awkward as neither Nolan nor

expression

meeting ended swiftly, and Nolan caught Parker’s eye,

lips 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

her position at the Imperial Gem Corporation and her distinguished background from Emperor City, not

of Emperor City, Elaine from the Bartels family, has more means, stature, and cunning than Whitney. If she’s truly

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

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 fault. And look at Elaine, her patience is something else. You know the story of the Ninja Queen,

knows his own heart. Let’s not

corner, concealed in the shadows. Despite maintaining a composed facade, her

fingers momentarily curled into a fist, then

without causing

quarter past ten, Ludwik was preparing

set on tailing you today, Ludwik.

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

had come, and Whitney was

them with his breath, and glanced at Parker,

Me, the decoy?”

“You know Whitney’s friend, the one with the cute, doe–eyed

not her type,” Ludwik replied, his words sharp and

Nolan was left speechless.

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

cast a meaningful glance in