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.

something Valerie had said: why hadn’t Elaine left Ludwik when he seemed to be failing?

knew the answer.

never truly beaten, which was why she clung

clenched her

of wine with an air of icy command that silenced the room without him uttering

by his side,

a cold chuckle and announced loudly, “Skyfaith Electronics‘ latest wwwww–ation, the Aute Chip will soon go to market, and we welcome all major

a ripple of excitement mixed with apprehension through the crowd.

companies pipes up. “Mr. Lippert, what are your conditions for partnership? Please, tell

promising to solve issues of matability, and Skyfaith had a firm grip on the market!

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

smart chips to any company under the Imperial

not cooperate with the Lutz

he mentioned seemed to come with difficulty. “Nor will Mr. Lippert collaborate with Skye

a public slap from Ludwik to the Lippert family. But it

several steps, her ears rang

Lippert would not partner with

public announcement was a warning to all of Banyan City’s companies–to deal with Skye Gem Ltd. was to make an enemy of

he plan to punish her?

pressed

medication, concerned he might lose control today. She

him? He never lost. He was intent on

felt suddenly foolish, full of misplaced concern and

she felt the urge to escape the

She turned to see the manager of Skye

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

you doing at the summit?”

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

voice laced with bitterness. She had been too absorbed to spare a thought for Skye Gem Ltd., assuming that Ludwik, in his

Skye Gem Ltd. faring now?”

was 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

room!” Nyx bellowed with rage. “I tried to

phone to check, and to her astonishment, she had blocked Nyx’s number. How was

realization hit her, during the time she was hospitalized for her pregnancy, Tiana had meddled