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?”

Seduce? She had not even

eyes and cleared his throat before saying, “Don’t you know you’re still quite a

smooth–talking ways. Men and their silver tongues.” Whitney

face flushed. “You don’t have to look at

just can’t help but catch you,” he

felt a sweet warmth inside. “Okay, then I’ll

his documents, his handsome face turning stern. He was

the day – a trench coat, a chic sweater, pencil pants, and ballet

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

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Chapter 93

part of an elite couple. Her lips were full and tinted with warmth. As she reached his side, he murmured in a deep voice,

onto

gaze lingered on her oval face, naturally beautiful, without a

lifted her chin as he

her heart racing as she glanced at Felix, who might as well have

quickly pecked his chiseled

smell 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

talking nonsense,” Whitney scolded, her

His brow furrowed slightly, a touch of displeasure

was speechless. “Mr. L, are you really

not petty where it counts,” he retorted with a sly grin, then grew stern again as he said, “I don’t like the idea

sensing that he was probably still

have my career, and besides, you’re the man I like. We’re dating, aren’t we? What’s

tone from the

be coaxed, Whitney thought to herself with a silent sigh, shaking his sturdy arm. “Where are we going for

say, “Madam, Sir has reserved the entire top–tier Russian restaurant in Banyan City for

the street and said, “Ah, I want

and Felix were both at

at the red tent on the roadside, dust swirling around, Ludwik’s handsome face was as cold as ice. Whitney saw his displeased expression, and though, as a socialite, she rarely indulged in such street food, the craving was irresistible.

She begged, her eyes already gleaming with

go! And I won’t allow

was to blame for her cravings. As he remained unmoved, she blinked back tears, looking pitifully hurt. “You don’t love