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

a chic business suit nodding at him,

had an important decision to make, and Ludwik had moved the

with a

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

her with composure,

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

to tease me,” Elaine responded, slightly annoyed

business attire, exuding a noble charm that

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

1/3

12:03

as neither

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

Nolan caught Parker’s eye, signaling for a private

didn’t know her history with Ludwik, I’d let it slide. But that soft laugh of hers, is she over him, or just playing nice in front of Ludwik?”

couldn’t 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

family, has more means, stature, and cunning

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

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

shot him a glance, “Ludwik knows his own

maintaining a composed

momentarily curled into a

discreetly, without causing a

was preparing to leave the Royal One

on tailing you

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

Whitney was over two

them with his breath, and glanced at Parker, “You go to

the decoy?” Parker said with

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

Ludwik replied,

Nolan was left speechless.

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

a meaningful glance in their