Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 226

Elaine could not hide it any longer, and with a sigh of frustration, she confessed, “I don’t know what happened; I was sure I had avoided it tonight!”

“It’s that time of the month; you need to rest and take it easy. This can wait,” Ludwik reassured her with a sense of relief in his voice, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “Besides, I’m not feeling quite like myself tonight either. I wouldn’t want to leave you with a bad impression, Elaine. You should get some sleep.”

His tone was too calm.

Elaine was smart and suddenly remembered the water… Her gaze faltered, and her expression paled as she looked at his face, seeking answers.

Ludwik looked back at her with tender eyes, not avoiding her gaze, the depths of his eyes unfathomable.

Elaine clenched her fists, realizing she did not have the courage to confront him.

He helped her dress and gently laid her on the bed, touching her forehead tenderly. “Sleep well, sweetheart,” he whispered.

The man turned off the light and left the room indifferently.

In the darkness, Elaine quickly heard the sound of the front door closing downstairs.

Furious, she got up, ran barefoot down the stairs, and grabbed the bowl of water from the table. She had guzzled it earlier when he had coaxed her, but now she could detect an unusual medicinal flavor. She had been duped!

Elaine dug her nails into her palms, a mix of embarrassment and rage making her smash the bowl to pieces!

He had prepared the water in advance to prevent anything from happening between them, even if it meant inducing her period early.

His indifference chilled her to the bone. Why?

Why would he refuse to…

Her head felt like it would explode. She had tried to touch his crotch earlier, and he had shown no desire.

She had thought maybe the mood was not right, but now she understood. He was not interested in her!

He did not love her, which was why he could look at her body so calmly.

It was all Whitney’s fault. He still longed for that woman’s touch, which was why he disregarded Elaine!

had the audacity

long as Whitney was around,

return to her!

began to

window at his

preoccupation, his lonely figure as distant as a thousand

figured he probably did not make any real

clearly was not with

might sit in silence until dawn.

as instructed, and seeing the man’s heavy movements as he stubbed out his cigarette, he could not help but sigh in consolation, “Mr. Lippert, she won’t belong to anyone else;

fingers resting against his

At the apartment.

arrived late at

two best friends had just finished making spicy burritos, the aroma wafting

from the kitchen.

cooking that smells so good?” Bryce chuckled.

him were his company’s investment manager and

Whitney replied with a smile.

your mood today and didn’t want to intrude and make things worse. I didn’t expect your friends to have cheered you

Bryce, could you be any sweeter?” Tiana

Bryce?” He was puzzled.

ex–fiancé Gunner, you

and waved his hand. “I’m not close to him.

good at cheering you up. This old guy sure

can hear you,” Bryce responded, amused.

feel like Bryce had instantly

the conversation back. “Mr. Lutz,

I didn’t want to upset you, so I waited until now to bring the dresses. But most importantly,

over a contract. Whitney was taken aback and somewhat touched as she read it, “Mr. Lutz, a two billion investment in Skye Gem is no small

to life! Leave the rest to me. I promised to invest before

made her

really splashing the cash. Let’s call it an engagement gift,” Tiana joked. Whitney shot her a glare. “You all know

holds? With the right conditions, it could turn real,” Tiana said, looking at Bryce’s affectionate gaze and advising Whitney, “After the engagement tomorrow, everything will become clear. Time to change your mindset and move on. You’ve got your friends

to use Bryce’s help to get her uncle out early after the