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!”

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

a chic business suit nodding at him,

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

in with a

notified me. I drove over from the branch office,”

with

laughter. Quickly, he greeted her

just love to tease me,” Elaine responded, slightly annoyed yet

figure was elegant in her business attire, exuding a noble

the window, smiling, “I saw Whitney sneaking around downstairs, hiding from

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12:03

atmosphere turned awkward as neither Nolan nor

file, his expression serious, Let’s

ended swiftly, and Nolan caught Parker’s eye,

“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 of hers,

tell, “With her position at the Imperial Gem Corporation and her distinguished background from Emperor City, not to mention being strategically placed in Ludwik’s company by both families, she could hide any

from the Bartels family, has more means, stature, and

in tow, is actually walking on thin ice. Do you think he wouldn’t let her go if he

seems quite taken with Whitney. Either

a glance, “Ludwik knows his

maintaining a composed facade, her clenched teeth and strained elegance betrayed

fingers momentarily curled into

departed discreetly, without causing

preparing

glanced at the figure hiding among the flowers and smirked, “She’s set on tailing you today, Ludwik. What’s the plan for playing with your darling

perused the schedule, “Mr. Lippert has a meeting at Alpine Springs Resort today, discussing

Whitney was over two months

breath, and glanced at Parker,

Me, the decoy?”

friend, the one with the cute, doe–eyed look? Maybe I should try my charm

type,” Ludwik replied, his words sharp and

Nolan was left speechless.

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

a meaningful glance in their