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!”

then, a soft female voice laced with laughter, 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

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

to make, and Ludwik had moved the meeting

a graceful smile.

from the branch

greeted her with composure,

however, paused at the mention of ‘Whitney‘, accompanied by her coy laughter. Quickly, he greeted her with a polite smile, “Elaine, always a pleasure!”

me,” Elaine responded, slightly

exuding a noble charm

attention as she casually approached the window, smiling, “I

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atmosphere turned awkward as

a file, his expression serious, Let’s

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

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,

distinguished background from Emperor City, not to mention being strategically placed in Ludwik’s company

family, has more means, stature, and cunning than Whitney. If she’s truly moved on, fine.

Lippert family. Ludwik, with his mother in tow, is actually walking on thin ice. Do you

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; 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

shot him a glance, “Ludwik knows his

the shadows. Despite maintaining a composed facade,

into

departed discreetly, without causing

past ten, Ludwik was preparing to leave the

figure hiding among the flowers and smirked, “She’s set on tailing you today,

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

come, and Whitney

at Parker, “You go to Imperial

Me, the decoy?” Parker

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

replied, his words sharp

Nolan was left speechless.

her demeanor both efficient and gentle. “Ludwik, Mr. Lutz happens

a meaningful