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.

Suddenly, she remembered something Valerie had said: why hadn’t Elaine left

Whitney knew the answer.

was why she clung to him so fiercely, resorting to extreme measures

clenched her

of wine with an air of icy command that silenced the

standing by his side, was equally

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 matter how much some companies are

sent a ripple of excitement mixed with apprehension through the

Lippert, what are your conditions

attention, promising to

drink, his slender fingern flicking the glass rim with a

not supply smart chips

not cooperate with

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

from Ludwik to the Lippert family. But it wasn’t just

steps,

not partner with

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

how he plan

pills in Whitney’s hand pressed painfully against her palm,

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

him? He never lost. He was intent on crushing Skye Gem Ltd.

felt suddenly foolish, full of misplaced concern and

the urge to

She turned to see the manager

was urgent. “Whitney,

what are you doing at

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

know.” Whitney replied, her voice laced with bitterness. She had been too absorbed to spare a thought for Skye Gem Ltd., assuming

is Skye Gem Ltd.

had crashed, the jewelry collaboration 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

“I tried to

her astonishment, she had blocked Nyx’s

she was hospitalized for her pregnancy, Tiana had