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!”

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 two young masters

to see a woman dressed in a chic business

and Ludwik had moved the meeting from the

with a graceful

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

with

coy laughter. Quickly, he greeted her with

love to tease me,” Elaine

figure was elegant in her business attire, exuding a noble charm that

approached the window, smiling, “I saw Whitney sneaking around downstairs,

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turned awkward as neither Nolan nor Parker

a file, his expression serious, Let’s start the

and 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

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

more means, stature, and cunning than

her role holds significant importance within the Lippert family. Ludwik, with his mother in tow, is actually walking on thin ice. Do you

family probably doesn’t take her seriously, just 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; otherwise, he would have acted long ago. So, it’s not really Whitney’s fault. And look at Elaine, her patience is something

glance, “Ludwik knows his

eavesdropped from around the corner, concealed in the shadows. Despite maintaining a composed facade, her clenched teeth and strained elegance betrayed

curled into

discreetly, without causing a

past ten, Ludwik was preparing to

set on tailing you today, Ludwik. What’s

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

the decoy?” Parker said with

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

replied, his words sharp and without

Nolan was left speechless.

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

cast a meaningful