Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 208

The PR manager glanced surreptitiously at Elaine, then, pointing an accusatory finger at Whitney, fumed, “Ever since that video of Ms. Valentine and the big shot CEO of Lutz Group came out, Skyfaith was inevitably thrust into the media spotlight. Mr. Lippert, your reputation is critical, especially since the company’s recent high–profile debut. Your wife’s cheating scandal is bound to affect Skyfaith’s stock prices, and that’s just not worth it.”

Ludwik’s gaze shifted their way.

The PR manager then shot Elaine a quick, “And with Elaine attending the summit as your partner, the public’s been speculating about her role. The gossip about you, Elaine and Ms. Valentine is all over the place and it’s affecting Elaine’s good name too.”

Ludwik looked towards Elaine, a self–mocking glint in his eyes.

How foolish had he been to forsake a woman who actually cared about him in favor of forgiving Whitney?

And now, truth to be turned out that Whitney and Bryce had already

been intimate!

The thought of having considered forgiving her in front of his own mother that morning, the internal tug–of–war of his conscience made him feel utterly ridiculous.

How pathetic was he!

His heart felt as though it had been scraped clean by a knife, leaving

not a shred of tenderness.

What was there to love about such a despicable woman?

He pulled Elaine close, gripping her hand tightly, “Elaine’s reputation will not suffer on my account. Go ahead with your strategy.”

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“The best PR move right now would be for you and Ms. Valentine to sign those divorce papers post–haste, and push the civil office to backdate it before the 28th. Once the public knows you two are long divorced, her dirty laundry won’t be your concern. At the same time, we’ll play up your engagement to Elaine to distract the public and give Skyfaith a different headline.”

Whitney curled up on the floor, fists clenched.

Hearing this, she began to have her suspicions about the source of the video. She glared at Elaine with venom.

Elaine’s peripheral vision caught Whitney’s scowl and returned it with a cold, triumphant sneer.

She said gently, “Ludwik, don’t worry about me. My reputation can take the hit, but Skyfaith is your business empire that you built from the ground up. I can’t bear to see it suffer.”

Ludwik motioned with his hand, “Lawyer, bring the divorce papers. What are we waiting for?”

Elaine was momentarily taken aback, then a sly smile curled at the corner of her mouth. She had orchestrated this whole scene to force Ludwik’s hand, to make him sign the divorce papers quickly!

The lawyer promptly presented two sets of divorce papers.

crumpled on the floor, not sparing

and get out. Don’t dirty my floors. You’re nothing but trash, and I’ll be damned if I spare you another

cut deeper

without another

and pained, tears streaming down

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Chapter 208

breathed in sharply.

trembling hands, she completed the signing, murmuring not for him to hear, but as a bitter soliloquy, “I stayed to look after you, thinking you were down and out, wanting to help you rise again. But clearly, you don’t need it. I’m relieved then. Let’s part ways, once

Ludwik paused sharply.

–

ways those words stabbed straight into his heart,

vision.

chest, she pleaded humbly, “Just my cousin, you promised to let her

let out a mocking laugh, filled

of our divorce. Felix, throw her out. The thought of having touched

her

rage, while Elaine, satisfaction plain on her face, followed closely

your hands are shaking again…”

eyes as she produced an acupuncture kit, “Let me give you a treatment, help you rest properly.”

you.” Ludwik looked at her, weary, a self–deprecating smile playing on his lips, “After all is

nervousness, met his. Seeing him so vulnerable like a child, she allowed herself to smile triumphantly. She knew any doubts

divo wa

signed divorce papers, Whitney was out of

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as she looked deeply

and inserted it into a point at the base of his skull.

Ludwik was deep

windows, then pulled out her phone to record a video, a

your kisses hurt

groans of intimacy wafted

They exchanged

sounds of passion echoed through the house.

in his eyes, Felix dismissed the managers, “What are you looking at? Get out of here.”

her up with a sigh, “Ms. Valentine, Mr. Lippert is

the noises upstairs continued unabated.

happening above. It wasn’t just kissing

–

at her shattered heart, Whitney thought bitterly how