Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 117

But the complexity in the man’s eyes, the storms they concealed, were beyond Whitney’s comprehension. Ludwik mused in silence. Elaine was the bridge between him and the Bartels family; their interests intertwined. There was a time he had wanted her gone, his dislike manifesting as a reluctance to keep her close. But the Lippert family was eyeing him with predatory intent; Kaden was eager to make him hand over the reins of Imperial Gem Corporation to Orion.

Just waiting for him to slip up.

In such times, he needed the Bartels family.

How could this silly girl understand the depths of it all? Ludwik shot her a sidelong glance. “Enough talk. I’m starving. If the food isn’t ready soon, I might just eat you!”

“What an abrupt turn,” Whitney thought, returning to the kitchen.

Yet, even if they were just to soothe her, his words filled her with a sweet sense of being valued and finally feeling the weight of her importance to him.

ly prepared.

Eventually, two maids joined to assist, and dinner was finally

Whitney stood by the bed, feeding him like a dutiful wife, unable to resist glancing at his hands that moved with ease.

“What are you looking at? Injured shoulders don’t mean I can’t move my hands,” he declared righteously, even as his fingers deftly navigated the screen of his smartphone.

Whitney was too shocked for words, thinking that saving her seemed to justify all manner of twisted logic. Felix, too, was silently twitching at the corner of his mouth, thinking. “Mr. Lippert, just admit you enjoy being pampered by your little wife. Would it kill you?”

Clearly reveling in the attention, the man frowned. “I haven’t bathed all day Wipe me down later.”

The bowl in Whitney’s hands nearly tipped over. She stole a glance at his mature, muscular frame, her heart skipping a beat as she blushed. “Maybe… Felix should do it?”

“Did I risk my life to save Felix?”

Whitney fell silent.

And Felix, all too aware, had already left the room.

Whitney clenched her fists, trying to reason with him. “But I’d be embarrassed. We’re not that close yet,” she protested.

“Don’t be embarrassed. I allow you to admire my perfect form. Just don’t get overwhelmed,” he said, his noble arrogance on full display.

for words against his

him, she owed him a debt of service,

up the washcloth with trembling

well–defined, his skin smooth and

control her gaze,

her with a mischievous glint, her eyes darting over his body, her cheeks flushed like tempting apples.

Chapter 11,

acknowledged

pouncing on me yet, huh?” He thought.

soon, it was revealed that

you done yet?

was aflame as she

quickly, rushing to the washroom with the hot water, leaning against the door, panting, her face

to negotiate again. “Can’t you just hire a male

about just now? Got some idea on your mind?” He leaned against the headboard, taking deep breaths, his gaze dark and

“Stop bullying me, L. I had maids helping

dinner alone, so he could not bear

me already? Yesterday in the hallway, you were pleading for me to wake up, willing to do

the retort. She had never said such

he stop twisting my confession into something it’s not?” Whitney thought.

wince from him.

lips together, feigning vulnerability. “It

truly be in pain, her face showing a hint

her wit’s

on his lips. “Alright, sleep

could be devastatingly charming when he whined without clashing with

had just settled into her

embrace. The hospital bed was not wide, and she was cautious not to touch his injured

in complaint, and Whitney Instantly snapped awake. “Are you

face a mask of stoicism. “Never mind, you sleep.”

she sleep knowing it was because of her? If it were not for him, she would be the one with a

brows furrowed with concern.

use is that? Can he stop the pain?”