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!”

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

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

had an important decision to make, and Ludwik had

a

me. I drove over from the branch office,” she said, Nolan,

with composure,

coy laughter. Quickly, he greeted her with a polite smile, “Elaine, always

tease me,”

elegant in her business attire, exuding a noble

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

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12:03

awkward as neither Nolan nor Parker

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

caught Parker’s eye, signaling for a

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

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

the Bartels family, has more means, stature, and cunning than Whitney. If she’s truly moved on, fine. But if she hasn’t,

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

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,

glance, “Ludwik knows

shadows. Despite maintaining a

fingers momentarily curled into a

discreetly, without causing

past ten, Ludwik was preparing to leave

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

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

Whitney was over two

warming them with his breath, and glanced at

Me, the decoy?” Parker said

one with the cute, doe–eyed look? Maybe I should

Ludwik replied, his words sharp

Nolan was left speechless.

clutching a folder, her demeanor both efficient and gentle. “Ludwik, Mr. Lutz happens to be at the Alpine Springs Resort. Shall we ride

meaningful glance in their