Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 185

His words steered the conversation with a potent force.

Ludwik strolled in leisurely, tali and commanding like an elegant hawk, his towering presence slightly overshadowing Orion

His smiled lightly, as if speaking was beneath him.

By his side, Elaine was the first to show her discontent, “Mr. Orion, always the pot calling the kettle black, aren’t you? It was your family that wrestled away the Imperial Gem Corporation. Skyfaith Electronics was built from the ground up by Ludwik. He just had the foresight to keep his cards close to his chest. Sure, a merger with Imperial Gem could’ve been on the table, but you lot couldn’t wait to snatch up the smallest of seeds. Ludwik simply let you have your little victory. What do you call that? Short–sighted, that’s what.”

Elaine’s words were sharp as knives, and instantly Kaden and Orion’s expressions darkened.

The atmosphere at the summit was tense and charged.

Subtly, many business folk shifted towards Ludwik’s side, as if drawn by an invisible force.

The balance of power was palpable.

“Elaine, there’s no need to waste your breath on him,” Ludwik said, his voice as rich and languid as a cello, yet laced with authority.

The room fell into a hush. Women gazed at Elaine with a mix of envy and admiration.

Whitney watched from a distance as Elaine stood shoulder to shoulder with him in battle, a perfect match for his stature and poise.

Bitterness tinged her heart. So Elaine shared all his secrets, while she, Whitney, was left in the dark. He was powerful, not the fallen man she had imagined. He hadn’t stumbled; he had simply shed his old skin.

Clearly, the Imperial Gem Corporation was but a trifle to him; after all, he had the might of Skyfaith Electronics at his command.

Whitney found him intimidating, an enigma that was impossible to unravel.

He didn’t need her pity or her misguided offer of help.

She chuckled ruefully to herself but couldn’t help feeling happy for him. Clutching the pills in her hand, she wanted to give them to him, to walk over to him.

But the crowd around him was dense, circling him like he was a legend in the world of business, and she felt too insignificant to break through.

Now, it seemed he wouldn’t see her, wouldn’t pull her into his world anymore.

In the crowd, Elaine confidently linked her arm with Ludwik’s, shooting Whitney a look that was undisguised in its triumph, boasting, and mockery.

a stoic expression. Suddenly, she remembered something Valerie had said: why hadn’t Elaine left Ludwik when he seemed to be failing?

knew the answer.

why she clung to

her fists.

with an air of icy command that silenced the room

by his side, was equally

announced loudly, “Skyfaith Electronics‘ latest wwwww–ation, the Aute Chip will soon go to market, and we welcome all major enterprises to discuss partnerships Of course, we have our standards.

announcement sent a ripple of excitement mixed

up. “Mr. Lippert, what are your conditions

the focus of global attention, promising to solve issues of matability, and

his drink, his slender fingern flicking the glass rim with a devilish charm

“Skyfaith Electronics will not supply smart chips to any company under the Imperial

will not cooperate with the

last company he mentioned seemed to come with difficulty. “Nor will Mr. Lippert collaborate with Skye Gem Ltd”

with discomfort, a public slap from Ludwik to the Lippert family. But it wasn’t just the Lipperts

face paled as she retreated several steps, her ears rang with

not partner with

of Banyan City’s companies–to deal with Skye Gem Ltd. was to make an enemy of Skyfaith

plan to punish

pills in Whitney’s hand pressed painfully against

remembering that she had come to offer him medication, concerned he might lose control today.

was

of

to a corner, she felt the urge to escape

grabbed her arm. She turned to see the manager of Skye Gem

was urgent. “Whitney, you’re really here!”

what are you doing at the

no idea how badly Skye Gem

to spare a thought for Skye

Skye Gem Ltd. faring

down the drain, and the production lines ground to a halt. If not for a last–minute order that had come through a few days ago, we’d be declaring bankruptcy! The company had over 30,000 employees. What do we do about them? They’re all waiting for their paychecks!” “How could

room!” Nyx bellowed with rage. “I tried to contact you, called you over and over, but couldn’t

pulled out her phone to check, and to her astonishment, she had blocked Nyx’s

time she was hospitalized for her pregnancy,