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.

a matter of earrings, studs, diamond rings, a few bracelets, and

afraid I’ll need to impose on you a bit longer

more time with the

oblivious to his intentions. Their conversation had been strictly business, and Bryce had impressed her with a gentlemanly demeanor. Her guard was lowered, especially

enjoy this?” he offered with

from her favorite bakery–a detail

only because they had just started dating. She never intended

you, goodbye,” she said, parting

Lotus Clubhouse, the chill of December’s approach was biting, darkness falling

for L’s broad chest, towering presence,

curled into a smile as she drove toward United Realty

entered the imposing building, its grand lobby a beacon of light amid the late hours,

desk, a haughty secretary stopped her, “May I ask who you’re here

stuttered, realizing she had yet to learn her husband’s name, and

to women seeking Mr. Lippert’s attention. “Sorry, our president isn’t in.

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

dialed

No answer.

won on the third attempt; a chilling voice

she could speak, background revelry betrayed his location–a

earlier? You said

then a

he laughing

She softly pressed, “Where are you? Sorry, I got held up tonight. Did I

“Why don’t you spend the

Whitney heard a woman’s cooing voice, followed by Elaine’s tender tone, “Bro, don’t drink their toasts. Whitney will

sudden silence fell over Whitney, her mind going

was at a bar, with women,

”

surge of indignation rose within her, “L, are you playing around? You stood me up, made me come here

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 last