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 to humiliate her on her engagement

long as Whitney was around,

return to her!

to

alone, standing in front of the window at his desk, smoking. His

depth of the president’s preoccupation, his lonely figure as distant as a

had left Everwood Villa Estate early, Felix figured he probably did not make any

clearly was

in silence

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; she’s still yours. But

long fingers resting against his temple,

At the apartment.

late at

friends had just finished making spicy burritos, the aroma wafting

from the kitchen.

smells so good?”

investment manager and two female stylists carrying several

making burritos,” Whitney replied with

his voice gentle, “I was worried about your mood today and didn’t want to intrude and make things worse. I didn’t expect your friends to have cheered you up so much. Thank them for me.”

be any sweeter?” Tiana murmured.

He was puzzled.

ex–fiancé Gunner, you know him,

hand. “I’m not close to him. My nephew is

you up. This

Melford, I can hear you,” Bryce

like Bryce had

conversation back. “Mr.

upset you, so I waited until now to bring the dresses. But most importantly, I need your signature on an

snapped his fingers with a flourish, and the investment manager handed 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 amount. With your situation being so volatile, won’t this

Skye Gem comes roaring back to life! Leave the rest to

her

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

Bryce’s affectionate gaze and advising Whitney, “After the engagement tomorrow, everything will become clear. Time to change your

planned to use Bryce’s help to get her uncle out early