Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 200

After asking for the favor, Whitney finally relaxed and picked up the menu to order, “So, Mr. Lutz, what will you have?”

“Call me Bryce, would that be okay?” His smooth voice carried a warmth with it.

Whitney paused, looked up, and met his gentle gaze. With a resigned smile, she said, “Bryce, it’s my treat.*

The man chuckled, “Alright. But you haven’t answer my question yet.”

Whitney was speechless, and quickly turned to place their order.

But Bryce wasn’t one to let her deflect the topic easily. He caught the sleeve of her blouse and sighed deeply, “With your frequent hospital visits, the baby’s at risk. You can’t keep bending backwards for him to torment you. I hope you’ll seriously consider your future, and the child’s.”

“I mean every word. I’m waiting for you, and I want to be with you, pregnant or not. Just give me a chance.”

“What kind of chance? The chance of swooping in on someone else’s wife?” A mocking voice interrupted them, and Ludwik loomed over the table, casting a shadow over Whitney.

She looked up sharply as Ludwik kicked back a chair and sat down uninvited.

He smirked at Bryce, his natural air of authority palpable.

The two men were evenly matched, but the women nearby couldn’t help but give Ludwik, with his sharp edges and dominant presence, more attention.

Unruffled by the sarcasm, Bryce met his gaze evenly and with a smile suggested, “Mr. Lippert, there are plenty of empty tables around. Why squeeze in with us?”

“Us?” Ludwik chuckled darkly, “Is there an ‘us’ between you two?”

His biting words clenched Whitney’s fists, a numb pain at her heart.

Bryce gave her a reassuring glance and coolly retorted, “Mr. Lippert, no need to be so aggressive. Since you’ve moved on to someone else, let Whitney go. That Elaine who was with you the other day seemed quite a match for you.”

He added with a hint of irony, “As I understand it, you’re engaged to Elaine at the end of the month, aren’t you?”

Ludwik’s eyes danced mockingly to Whitney, “Eager to share the news with your new lover?”

“Ludwik, mind your language.” Whitney took a deep breath, barely containing her frustration as she clarified, “Bryce and I are completely innocent!”

“Wearing his shirt, meeting up eagerly before the ink is dry on the divorce papers – how innocent can you be? Can you get any more hypocritical?”

tightly, feeling

change into a new shirt at the summit because you neglected her, and she, being pregnant, had an accident. Also, she didn’t tell me anything. I

200

because I plan

intimate details witnessed by Bryce. His forehead veinis

suddenly found herself yanked from her

and Bryce’s demeanor changed as he caught Whitney’s other hand, his eyes flashing

own woman. What’s it

to pursue her? She’s not divorced yet; you can only watch what I

captured Whitney’s lips in a deep,

froze, desperately trying to pull away. “Ludwik!

eyes. Humiliated, she was pinned against the table, her movements uncooperative, her gaze flicking toward

her resistance, Ludwik growled against her lips, “You better be careful. Until the divorce is final, you’re

to play these tiresome

he had already been

Ludwik saw it as a sign of her concern for Bryce’s

grip around her waist, pulling her

as he saw the woman in his arms shaking, vulnerable

finally released her. In front of Bryce, he provocatively wiped the redness at Whitney’s lips, his touch deliberately suggestive, “See this, Bryce? She’s been my woman.

couldn’t believe the vile

her eyes as Bryce’s brow furrowed, “Whitney,

Whitney attempted to leave,

icy with warning, “Don’t forget about your cousin. I still

stiffened, staring at him

out of the diner,

her

followed them out, his fist slamming into a pillar as he watched the Bentley drive away.

still Ludwik’s wife, and he couldn’t take her

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Chapter 200

in Bryce’s usually gentle eyes.

and made a

waiting in the cinema