Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 98

“Scram! The man’s mature features twisted into a sneer as he glanced over the women.

The gaggle of simpering women scattered like leaves in the wind.

Nolan shook his head. These were the ladies he had invited to liven up the evening.

He turned to Parker, exchanging a look of mutual resignation, before addressing Elaine, “What’s gotten into Ludwik?

Elaine sighed heavily and said, “Ludwik’s had a misunderstanding with Whitney over something”

Another misunderstanding? Nolan’s eyes flickered with curiosity as he gave Elaine an extra glance.

He wasn’t sure what had transpired, but he couldn’t help commenting as he caught sight of the brooding man, whose furrowed brow looked like it could crush a hundred flies, “Ludwik, if Whitney keeps getting under your skin, why not just show her the door?”

The man’s gaze was terrifying as it met Nolan’s. “What did you say?”

Nolan recoiled slightly while Elaine clenched her fingers, watching the storm brewing in Ludwik’s eyes. “He’s anxious for Whitney,” She thought.

Parker voiced Nolan’s concerns, “Haven’t you noticed? Ever since you’ve been with Whitney, you’ve become so unpredictable, Ludwik. You’re too easily swayed by her.”

“Have you really fallen for her?” Parker leaned in close to Ludwik, whispering.

Ludwik let out a cold laugh, his dark eyes unreadable, offering no reply.

Parker sighed and moved towards Nolan, speaking in a hushed tone, “Even though we both are satisfied with Whitney, the way she’s affecting Ludwik… I’m unsure if it’s good for her to stay.”

“Yeah, Whitney has no idea how tough Ludwik’s childhood was, leaving him with that volatile temper. How can she constantly provoke him?”

“Since Ludwik and his mother left the hellhole that was the Lippert family, he’s been engrossed in work, cold and reserved. His heart has only held space for the little girl who saved him back then. His emotional troubles haven’t surfaced in ages, and his night terrors are also a result of his traumatic past. Why can’t Whitney see that and be gentle with Ludwik?”

“She doesn’t know, and their relationship isn’t yet close. Ludwik would never tell her,” Parker concluded in silence.

terrifying

not manage to have a normal relationship. At this rate, Parker was really

not wanting Elaine to overhear, but that did not stop her from catching bits

exactly the weaknesses she planned to exploit. Whitney would soon dig her own

the villa, Whitney woke up in the middle of the night, shivering from the cold. She glanced at the

had not

stifling sensation grew in her chest. Her body felt

messaged her on Facebook, (Whitney, have you seen Elaine’s latest post? Why is

of being with you, his pregnant wife? I thought you two had patched things up and were in a lovey dovey

last time, and they had added

raised, capturing half of a man’s enticing chest

in the picture, Whitney recognized L by his mature build–she could

Nolan were

caption read, [Work’s been hectic, but drinks are

seemed innocuous, devoid of flirtation, and with

boasting, especially since L had just berated her and was now not home but drinking late

off a subtle threat,

stung as if

[Did you and L have another fight? This high–class temptress is moving in at the

out at me out

him again? Men like him, all high and mighty. They don’t spell

the company at all.

she paused, remembering the abrupt end to their earlier phone call and his accusations

realization struck her–she had mentioned meeting a female supplier. Could it be

Elaine’s the type to strike without making a sound, and if you keep giving him the cold shoulder, aren’t you just pushing him toward her? They’re already so close at work. You can’t let this continue. Why is he so moody, going back and forth? You need to confront him and clear

post essentially confirmed her designs on L, but it was

would not catch on.

might be whispering

4 AM, and they were

she was, carrying his child,

felt a