Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 93

Elaine slid into the car, a sly chuckle escaping her as she leaned back into the plush seat. Whitney had tried to outplay her, but she had played the wrong hand.

Not that it was entirely wrong – had Whitney agreed to those two female suppliers, Elaine could have easily set her up for a fall in the future.

But right now, Elaine’s triumph lay in Whitney’s refusal. The diamond suppliers in Banyan City were few; only those two were run by women; the rest were all men, and Elaine had them wrapped around her finger long ago. Her phone rang, and she answered with a lazy smile.

“Elaine,” the voice on the other end reported, “Whitney called a quick meeting as soon as she returned to the office. She’s roped in a college buddy, one of those fancy jewel material traders.”

Elaine’s laughter was soft and dark. A young college friend, huh? She could just imagine what kind of trouble Whitney was in now with Ludwik…

As dusk turned the city skyline neon, a sleek Bentley stood out with understated luxury in the plaza below Skye

Gem Ltd.

Right on time, Whitney emerged from the building, a faint blush tinting her cheeks as she spotted the luxurious car. She thought of the man waiting inside and wondered, “Is this a date?”

Felix, ever the dutiful chauffeur, promptly opened the door for her.

The Bentley glided away, leaving Simon on the company steps, his gaze darkening as he watched the taillights disappear. He had caught a glimpse of the masked man inside the car.

That was a limited edition Bentley, and Whitney claimed the masked man had been her savior that night…

Could the enigmatic, powerful Ludwik be the man behind the mask?

Simon clenched his fists, jealousy gnawing at him, feeling utterly powerless.

Inside the car.

Whitney found the man beside her, frowning at some documents. She pouted – was she not more interesting than paperwork?

Nonchalantly, she slipped off her coat.

The man next to her gave a dry chuckle. “Can you not try to seduce me while I’m working?”

She had

wronged. The man glanced at her with amused eyes and cleared his

smooth–talking ways. Men

don’t have

help but catch

sweet warmth inside. “Okay, then I’ll try not to distract

turning stern. He was already seduced,

moved closer, her elegant outfit of the day – a trench coat, a chic sweater, pencil pants, and ballet

him, too. As usual, he was dressed in a sharp suit, his

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Chapter 93

of an elite couple. Her lips were full and

settled onto his

lingered on her oval face, naturally beautiful, without a hint of artificiality – one look could captivate

her chin as he spoke in a husky tone,

she glanced at Felix, who might as well have been

pecked his

so good?” Ludwik asked, his grip tightening around her slender waist, his breath tickling her neck. “I used to say you must get close to a woman to

Whitney scolded, her ears

men?” His brow furrowed

speechless. “Mr. L, are

again as he said, “I don’t like the

neck flushed, sensing that he was probably still bothered

“I have my career, and besides, you’re the man

his tone from the night before, and Ludwik’s

indeed needed to be coaxed, Whitney thought to herself with a silent sigh, shaking his sturdy arm.

say, “Madam, Sir has reserved the entire

pointed to a twinkling eatery across the street and said, “Ah, I want that

both at a

expression, and though, as a socialite, she rarely

She begged, her eyes

won’t allow my

complained, convinced that pregnancy was to blame for her cravings. As he remained unmoved, she blinked back tears, looking pitifully hurt.