Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

“Ms. Designer, if you’re sincere about your

“I’ll bring my A–game, ma’am. You’ll be dazzled, I promise!” Whitney assured, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Claire, the formidable lady of the Lutz household, simply huffed. “That’s more like it. And as for the bracelet, it’s mine now. Bryce, show our guest out.”

Watching Claire admire the bracelet, Whitney knew she had managed to soothe her ire.

FEE FOE Sis

Outside the hospital room, Whitney turned, grateful, only to find herself locked in the warm gaze of Bryce. “Thank you for stepping in today, Mr. Lutz,” she said, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“I’m Bryce Lutz, the second son. I’m a few years your senior,” he said with a hint of a smile, clearly intrigued by her. “I’m familiar with you, Whitney, right?”

Surprised, Whitney wondered what she could have possibly done to catch the attention of such a prominent

family.

Seeing her confusion, Bryce explained, “I spent most of my time abroad, so it’s only normal you don’t know who I am. I saw you once at a social event and was quite taken aback by your beauty and talent. However, you seemed too young, and I thought it wasn’t appropriate for me to do anything.”

Clearing his throat, Bryce offered a charming smile. “Ms. Valentine, remember your promise. Allow me to escort you.”

“I will keep my word. But I wouldn’t dream of troubling you, Mr. Lutz!” Whitney quickly declined, inwardly thrilled that her troubles seemed to be resolving so smoothly.

As Whitney walked away, Bryce watched her go, his eyes narrowing slightly. She was stunning and talented–a rare find indeed.

:

A week later, Whitney was discharged from the hospital, alone. With a lot on her plate at Skye Gem, she returned to the quiet of the villa. The house felt colder with Natalie away at a wellness retreat and no sign of the man.

Was this his subtle way of saying he had had enough?

She knew that if this went on, the two of them would never make up again, and her heart only grew more bitter. At this moment, she regretted ever agreeing to date him. Given the current situation, it was better for them to be strangers.

Maybe it was time to move out. After all, it would be inappropriate to obstruct him from coming home. Plus, Natalie was not around, so it would make things easier.

from the nurse, telling

there was something new. “Madam left the hospital on her own 10 o’clock in the morning today,”

he was just about to speak when Ludwik said, “Why? Has she done her

Felix said bitterly. “She

turned as cold as ice. It’s none of my business even if she left the face of earth! Who told you to

realized he had touched

resolve to face death, he returned to report to Ludwik. “Mr. Lippert, the driver saiti Madam drove the car out to

fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the sound

fountain pen worth more than a

barely contained as

tempted to find out what was inside that brain of

house hunting!” He ordered Felix as he immediately left

Whitney exiting, having been casually browsing for future reference. The cold

She greeted

he had

on her pale face, he was even more

“Mr. Lippert, are you free now? It’s lunchtime, and I’d like to invite you to eat with

on

response was icy and cutting. “You enjoy inviting men for

Whitney wondered, “What’s wrong with this guy? Schizophrenia? He shamelessly teased me last time, and now he acts like I’m his

offend such a powerful man. Thus, she tried to explain herself, “Mr. Lippert, I’d really appreciate it if you can agree to have this meal with me, there’s

lost.” Ludwik strode away

not

Ludwik’s wrath. Whitney had inadvertently crossed a line, seeking companionship with “Ludwik” while she was quarreling with

with Whitney, asked Felix, “Where the hell did she go?

replied, “Madam seemed to have gone to

a baked sweet potato. Ludwik glared at Felix. “She was buying a sweet potato. You lied

she was simply hungry. She’s pregnant, after all.” Felix replied,

watching Whitney from afar, unable to shake off his feelings for the enigmatic

her up; I’ll grace her with

felt like his entire