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.

expression. Suddenly, she remembered something Valerie had said: why hadn’t

Whitney knew the answer.

Ludwik was never truly beaten, which was why she clung to him so fiercely, resorting to extreme measures like

her

an air of icy command that silenced the room without

standing by his side,

Chen and tus family, Felix let out a cold chuckle and 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. No

a ripple of excitement mixed

are

promising to solve issues of matability, and Skyfaith had

his drink, his slender fingern flicking the glass rim with a devilish charm that seemed to dance w

will not supply smart chips to any company under the

with the Lutz

to come with difficulty.

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

retreated several steps, her ears rang with

partner

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

he plan

pressed painfully against her palm,

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

He was intent on crushing Skye Gem Ltd.

full of misplaced concern and

felt the urge to

arm. She turned to see the manager of Skye Gem Ltd.

gaze was urgent. “Whitney, you’re really

you doing at the

a month. You have no idea how badly Skye Gem Ltd. has been suppressed. It’s that man, Ludwik.

laced with bitterness. She had been too absorbed to spare a thought for Skye

is Skye Gem Ltd. faring

the production lines ground to a halt. If not for a last–minute order that had come through a few days

“I tried to contact you, called you over and over,

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

hospitalized for her pregnancy,