Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 129

“Fire Elaine, send her back to her hometown of Emerald City. I can’t rest easy with her around, she’s too big of a threat to me.”

Plus, Elaine would cause a lot of trouble to Valerie, too.

Whitney was determined to get rid of her. She was unsure what L’s original plans for Elaine were, but untangling Elaine from the company and the family would be no small feat.

Thus, she pushed L to cut the Gordian knot.

Ludwik’s brow was furrowed as he looked at her with piercing intensity, his hand gently touching her forehead.

His voice was deep and resonant, “So, she leaves, and you stay. I can only choose one, not even work–related contact, is that it?”

Whitney pressed her lips and silently nodded.

With a sharp glance, Ludwik pulled her away, his voice icy, “If I haven’t given you peace of mind, that’s my oversight. We’ll do it your way.”

His decisiveness took aback Whitney. This man was responsible, and while he might face pressure, she still wanted to play the ‘villain‘ this time.

Ludwik, with no further ado, called Elaine out.

Elaine had been cooped up in her apartment, watched over by bodyguards for two days, unaware of the outside world. Now, she was being escorted to the lobby of United Realty Corporation.

Ludwik wanted to see her! A flicker of joy danced in her heart.

Last night, Ashton fought with Ludwik and came to tell her that Ludwik and Whitney had a falling out.

Good, Whitney could not handle being the other woman. Now that Ludwik had summoned her, perhaps there would be a temporary penalty, but as long as Whitney backed off, she would quickly reclaim Ludwik’s heart.

She had burned her bridges, and it was the right move.

“Bro,” Elaine masked her elation and entered the conference room with a pitiable air.

Ludwik was sitting behind a stack of documents, his voice cold, “Elaine, it’s time we settled things once and for all.”

words were not reassuring, and Elaine felt a surge of panic as she saw Whitney walking into the room.

a chill down

here? Had she not left

was icy as she sat beside the man and naturally took his arm. This possessive gesture made Elaine’s heart sink further.

documents toward her, “Elaine, you’re relieved from your position as vice president of the main company. Here’s your financial settlement. Take

been called off long ago, and you’ll have no

that also a mistake? This isn’t your

decision. You made mistakes!” Ludwik’s voice was

quickly fell as she shook her

her scalp, unable to face his icy “Have you considered how you’ll explain this to your family? Do you realize the risks you’re taking? You need my status! What can Whitney give you?”

Chapter 129

distinguished man, speaking velled truths only they understood.

turned colder. “That’s not for you to worry about.

won’t!” Elaine’s desperation surged. She could not return; Ludwik was the man the Bartels family was desperate to cling to. If she went back, another Bartels girl

him?

office from the ground up. You can’t be so heartless. I don’t want any more money; I’ve helped you so much in the

Elaine’s making, and her wretched crying

him during his difficulties.

watched as L hesitated.

dropping all pretense, turned her pleading gaze to Whitney, “Whitney, I promise to let go of Bro. Can’t you show

put Whitney on the spot.

Whitney as if

no fool. If she insisted on sending Elaine away today, she

to be lenient with Elaine.

in L’s eyes.

“Elaine, if you’re willing to be L’s sister and stay at the branch office, that’s fine. You said you’d let go

Elaine, saying, “Go to the branch office and start a new life. I promised to

pain crossed Elaine’s heart, and her eyes bore into Whitney with

forcing Ludwik’s hand to find her

engagement looming, it would be improper for her to approach

“I accept Bro’s decision. I’ll go to the branch

things. Leave the vice president’s nameplate. The financial

not shortchange her, at least not in terms