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 him what Whitney ate and the condition of the

hospital on her own 10 o’clock in the morning today,” Felix said

the desk, he was just about

imagination, Felix said

she left the face of earth! Who told you to report

Felix realized he had

received another call. With the resolve to face death, he returned to report to Ludwik. “Mr. Lippert, the driver saiti Madam drove the car

broken only by the sound of a fountain pen shattering

fountain pen worth more than

was barely contained as he cursed,

what was inside that brain of hers that could enrage him so

where she’s house hunting!” He

having been casually browsing for future reference. The cold aura the gorgeous man

She greeted

he had forgotten to put on

her pale face,

felt numb on her scalp from his stare. However, having recalled something, she approached and smiled apologetically, saying, “Mr. Lippert, are you free now? It’s lunchtime, and I’d like to invite you to

on the

“You enjoy inviting men for

and offended, Whitney wondered, “What’s wrong with this guy? Schizophrenia? He shamelessly teased me

she tried to explain herself, “Mr.

Ludwik strode away into

not believe

shivered, knowing full well Ludwik’s wrath. Whitney had inadvertently crossed a

“Where the hell did she go? Didn’t she say she wanted to invite me to a meal? Where’s her

“Madam seemed to have gone to the

later, Whitney returned, contentedly eating a baked sweet potato. Ludwik glared at Felix. “She

she was simply hungry. She’s pregnant,

concern, watching Whitney from afar, unable to shake off his feelings for the enigmatic woman who had

her with my presence,”

like his entire worldview