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!”

laced with laughter, broke the tension as she entered from the doorway, “What’s going on with

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

Imperial Gem Corporation had an important decision to make, and Ludwik had moved the meeting from the corporation’s headquarters to

a graceful smile.

from

with

accompanied by her coy laughter. Quickly, he greeted her

tease me,” Elaine responded, slightly

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

her striking beauty, she drew attention as she casually approached the window, smiling, “I saw Whitney sneaking around downstairs, hiding from Ludwik. Quite

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turned awkward as

his expression

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

history with Ludwik, I’d

City, not to mention being strategically

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

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

Whitney’s the unexpected twist, and the Lippert 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 else. You know the story of the

a glance, “Ludwik knows his own heart. Let’s

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

momentarily curled into a

departed discreetly, without

quarter past ten, Ludwik was preparing to leave the

and smirked, “She’s set on tailing you today, Ludwik. What’s

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

and Whitney was

warming them with his breath, and glanced at Parker, “You

decoy?” Parker said

a mischievous grin, “You know Whitney’s friend, the one with the cute, doe–eyed look? Maybe

her type,” Ludwik replied, his words sharp and without

Nolan was left speechless.

happens to be at the Alpine Springs Resort. Shall we

meaningful glance in