Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 97

The more Elaine pleaded Whitney’s case, the more it implied a harsh truth: Ludwik had his heart on his sleeve yet was cast aside by Whitney while Bryce, the man who never clicked with him, effortlessly stepped in.

Was she not acting exactly like a social butterfly, skirting just shy of scandal? Yet here she was, lying through her teeth!

Ludwik’s inner fury was stoked, the seeds of doubt tumbling into an abyss.

Staring through the window at the woman on the phone, lost in a daze.

She hastily returned to the booth. Perhaps it was feigned clumsiness, but suddenly she stumbled forward, her cry cut through the air as Bryce played the hero, catching her delicate hand. She looked up, bashful in profile, while Bryce’s eyes held a deep, melting gaze.

Ludwik watched, an icy chuckle escaping his lips.

His phone met the wall with a shattering force.

The man turned, his expression frosty, slamming the car door behind him. His Bentley roared away, leaving nothing but dust in its wake.

“Bro, wait for me…” Elaine called out desperately, but a sly smile crept across her face as she turned.

“Whitney, you’ve dug your own grave splendidly.”

Back in the booth.

Whitney entered, still shaken by L’s call. A misstep twisted her ankle; pregnant and cautious, she reached for a chair to steady herself.

Bryce was quick to lend a hand, and as she found her balance, she immediately put space between them, “Thank you, Mr. Lutz,” she said, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

Outside the open door, waitstaff bustled about.

Whitney let out a sigh, settling down to finish the half–drawn design. Despite her unease, she powered through the rest of it.

She was eager to finalize the necklace design, so once Bryce reviewed the entire draft, they discussed the details and decided on a precious emerald; the deal was set. She could start crafting it.

studs, diamond rings,

you a bit longer due to this personal matter. But there’s no need to

motive was clear: he yearned for more time with the woman who stirred

impressed her with a gentlemanly demeanor. Her guard was lowered, especially when

this?” he offered

delighted, Whitney recognized the cake from her favorite bakery–a detail L had not even known

just started dating. She never

you, goodbye,” she

December’s approach was biting, darkness falling

towering presence, and inherent warmth

United Realty Corporation,

the imposing building, its grand lobby a beacon of light amid the late hours, its staff a flurry of elite

her, “May I ask who you’re

learn her husband’s name, and

women seeking Mr. Lippert’s attention.

Impossible. L had asked her to come to United Realty Corporation, promising to show her

dialed his

No answer.

won on the third attempt; a chilling voice crackled

speak, background revelry betrayed his location–a

“L, why did you hang up earlier? You said

then a

laughing at

She softly pressed, “Where are you? Sorry, I got held up tonight. Did I make you wait? I’ll come

a dagger to her ear. “Why don’t you spend

by Elaine’s tender tone, “Bro, don’t drink their

silence fell over Whitney, her

was at a bar, with women,

”

are you playing around? You stood me up,

the right to question me? Who do you think you are? Do you really think you’re my wife?” His voice was a drunken, icy deluge, “A

ended before she could grasp his