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.

man would not confess such a terrifying condition to a woman he

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

overhear, but that did

suspicion, sensitivity, and quick anger. These were exactly the weaknesses she planned to exploit. Whitney would soon dig her

middle of the night, shivering from the cold. She glanced at the other side of the

had not come

in her chest. Her body

seen Elaine’s latest post? Why is L

of being with you, his pregnant wife? I thought you

had gifted baby clothes last time, and they had

of a man’s enticing chest and a luxurious wristwatch. He leaned back

without a full face in the picture, Whitney recognized

were also in the

caption read, [Work’s been

of flirtation, and with three men in the

that she was boasting, especially since L had just berated her and

off a subtle threat,

heart stung as if pierced by

This high–class temptress is moving in at the first sign of weakness. Can’t

at me out

it. [Did you do something to upset him again? Men like him, all high and mighty. They don’t spell things out. They wait for you to realize and apologize. Don’t tell me there’s been another

had not seen Simon at the company at

remembering the abrupt end to their earlier phone call and his accusations that evening, “All

mentioned meeting a female

can fight like an animal but clueless in love. 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

she was right–Elaine’s subtle post essentially confirmed her designs on L, but

would not catch on.

whispering to L in

at the time; it was 4 AM, and they were still

child,

felt a seething rage, flopped back into bed, and