Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 130

“Mom, he dumped me right out in the open. He sent me packing back home. He used to put up with me for the sake of the business, but now, because of that tramp Whitney… I was thinking of showing him the half of the ring that proves I’m the one who saved his life all those years ago. He won’t be able to leave me then!”

Delphine looked at the half–ring in her daughter’s hand and shook her head. “Good thing you had the sense to come home and ask me. It’s not the right time now.”

“But Whitney has stolen him from me! Give it a few more days, and he might fall for that bitch. I can’t stand it!”

“If you show him that half–ring now, pretending to be his savior while he’s disappointed in you, at best, he’ll feel financially indebted. You still won’t win him back. Just wait. Ludwik is meant to be yours. You don’t know, Whitney has an uncle.”

At that, Delphine smiled, her eyes sharp with calculation, “You think it’s a coincidence that Skye Gem and Imperial Gem are at odds? Her uncle will show up sooner or later. When they fight, the prize will be yours for the taking. Whitney and him won’t last long.

All you need to do is wait for the perfect moment to reveal the half–ring, and he’ll be entirely yours.”

Elaine kind of understood; the moment would be when Whitney and Ludwik fell out.

Did that mean her mother was sure that Whitney and Ludwik would split?

Elaine walked over and hugged Delphine, voicing her doubts. “Mom, how do you know about Whitney’s uncle? Are you really that familiar with her family drama?”

Delphine hesitated, then playfully tapped her daughter’s nose. “You’re smart. Strive for a position at the branch office; it’ll keep you connected to him. You have your inside man at the headquarters, and returning to Banyan City is only a matter of time. Ludwik is a catch you must secure.”

Elaine nodded. Her mother had said when sending her to Ludwik’s side that his true identity was more than just being the third son of the Lippert family, though even he was unaware of it, and that she must hold on tight to Ludwik.

In the Banyan City, the Lippert family study.

Kaden was in a rage. “You publicly ditched Elaine for that Whitney? The ties between the Lippert family and the Bartels are intricate. You explain it to Zane Bartels!”

“Ludwik, this is indecent of you. Where do you leave Elaine’s dignity? She’s been loyal to you for years!” Zane challenged.

Ludwik, poised and detached, remained unfazed.

The vortex in his eyes was enough to slightly intimidate the two elder gentlemen,

“Elaine and I privately called off our engagement years ago. I’ve made it clear to Delphine. You’re the ones using your family’s power to deny it.

your back,” Zane said with a meaningful

in his eyes. “Either get rid of Whitney and bring back Elaine so we maintain ties with the Bartels, and I’ll ensure your place at Imperial Gem

Bartels, I won’t consider you for the heir. Your brother

last remark was most likely what he truly wanted to

had no expectations of his father.

1/3

19:09

it was bankrupt. If Orion thinks he can take over a top global

declaring war against the Lippert family over a woman?” Kaden slammed his hand on the table,

his voice as if emerging from the depths of

Kaden’s eyes darkened.

Rylie, having eavesdropped, quickly retreated to her room

moment, a young, handsome voice laced with mischief answered,

Your brother is willing to forsake the Bartels for a woman. It’s time to end your studies abroad and

her

of lying low, her opportunity was finally

girl named Whitney? I’ve recently met someone interesting too,

did not grasp the connection in her son’s words.

Under Ludwik’s leadership, Imperial Gem Corporation had grown stronger, solidifying the Lippert family’s position as the foremost family

just Natalie’s son, the frail one, not the favored child

and

waited at the villa until the man returned the

walked in, weary: He removed his handcrafted leather shoes and

frame watching his towering figure in silence.

she dashed toward him, wrapping her tiny arms around his lean, chiseled

looked up at him with concern in her eyes. “What’s going on? Is your family putting

his fingers gently lifting her

locked, his gaze narrow,

captured her lips in

was forced to tilt her head back as he kissed her fervently, his masculine vigor mingled with an alluring scent of tobacco. The next moment, she found herself pinned