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.”

reassuring, and Elaine felt a surge of

chill down Elaine’s spine.

Had

to see me?” Whitney’s gaze was icy as she sat beside the man and naturally took his arm. This possessive gesture made Elaine’s

“Elaine, you’re relieved from your position as vice president of

long ago, and you’ll have

you. Is that also a mistake? This isn’t your idea, is it?

You made mistakes!” Ludwik’s voice was

she shook

a numbness in 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?

Chapter 129

at the distinguished man, speaking velled truths only

not for you to worry about.

surged. She could not return; Ludwik was the man the Bartels family was desperate to cling to. If she went

him?

this thought, Elaine quickly considered her options and grasped Ludwik’s hand, pleading pitifully, “Bro, I built the branch 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 past. For old times‘ sake, let me stay at the

was indeed Elaine’s making, and her wretched crying made

him during his difficulties.

watched as

all pretense, turned her pleading gaze to Whitney, “Whitney, I promise

Whitney on the

to Whitney as if awaiting

on

be lenient with Elaine.

heartless in L’s

forced smile, she said, “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

start a new life. I promised to find

heart, and her eyes bore

Ludwik’s

engagement looming, it would be improper for her to approach Ludwik openly.

accept Bro’s decision. I’ll go to

another word, Ludwik instructed, “Go to your office and pack your things. Leave the vice president’s nameplate. The financial settlement is

at least not in terms of