Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 250

“Come on, how did you know she was pretty before I even mentioned it?”

There was an awkward silence before Daniel, resting an elbow on the bar, rolled his eyes. “You think I’m a gullible three–year–old kid, huh? A kidnapper, my foot. That was clearly a nurse with a crush on you!”

Ludwik’s lips twitched, and he shot Daniel a side–eye without a word, casually adjusting his tie.

Felix knew that Mr. Lippert fiddling with his tie was a sign he was relaxed. Daniel, the little goof, had not even suspected that the ‘kidnapper‘ was his mom.

With a chuckle, Felix teased, “Danny, did you forget you’re actually three and a half and easy to fool?”

Daniel’s mature composure took a hit. His chin jutted out in both embarrassment and defiance at the jab about his age.

For some reason, Ludwik sneezed repeatedly.

Daniel glanced over, showing slight concern with an indifferent tone, “Roll up the car window for him, will ya? The old man’s getting weaker by the day.”

Felix shivered, thinking, “Danny, your dad just got back from an andrology check–up with your mom. He’s pretty sensitive to the word ‘weak‘.”

Sure enough, Ludwik’s face darkened, and he gave Daniel a sharp look. “You’re awfully chatty today. Want me to throw you overboard?”

Daniel clamped his mouth shut reluctantly.

He sensed his old man was weighed down by worries today and not in high spirits. The sneezing had to be because someone was bad–mouthing him, right? He wanted to cheer him

1. up.

Clearly, the father–son duo was having a tense day, and his attempts to lighten the mood were not effective.

Daniel huffed in frustration.

Whitney parked her car, her phone buzzing with a new message.

It was from Tiana. [Whitney?]

She had called Tiana the night before using a new number, as her old number had been terminated three years ago. Was that why Tiana was too scared to pick up?

Whitney felt an inexplicable surge of emotion and bit her lip as she read the message over and over. Tiana’s tone seemed so casual. But could she really be unaffected by everything?

Chapter 250

pressing call from

Tiana. I’m

tucked her phone into her purse and walked with furrowed brows into the restaurant’s private

in his chair, his eyes lighting up at

gave her a once–over and whistled. “Looking good, I see. Who knew you’d be such a knockout when not pregnant? My dive into the ocean three years

sleazy eyes

with a cool detachment.

arms, only for Orion to be out fishing on a yacht in Sea Bay at the same time. She had struggled in the cold waves for hours, and he probably saw

why he had bothered to save her at all.

smile, revealing a long–term plan. “Keeping you alive to use against Ludwik

Twisted, but true.

country, she had found that the Imperial Gem Corporation’s market value had

had become the laughingstock of Banyan City. Orion was barely hanging on; without a new plan, he was headed for certain doom.

the table. “Join Imperial Gem as a jewelry designer. The pay’s great; just follow

target? Just by sitting in Imperial Gem, I could ruffle some feathers, right?”

score?

years ago, and this is your chance for payback. Ready to

his blatant manipulation was no

why should she not

Second, she had returned with a desire

2/4

17:09

Chapter 250

her platform

played on her lips as she signed the

He leaned in, his gesture intimate as he lifted her chin. “I never realized you hated him so deeply. How about marrying me instead? I must admit, my brother had an eye for stunning women; you’re

pen, her disgust unhidden. “I have zero interest in you. And I haven’t forgotten how

his hand and settled back into his seat.

Orion was indeed rotten to the core and oddly eccentric. He was, however, not cut out for business, or he would not have fallen so hard in three

he cared for Imperial Gem, but his rakish, cavalier attitude was

him so much? Why go after him like this?”

old man didn’t like him, didn’t want him as his successor. So

never won a single round. He’s been mired in mud since childhood while I’ve lived in

“Why didn’t your dad like him? Isn’t he his son too?”

my dad. Ludwik’s parentage has always been in question. The old man and Natalie had a terrible relationship, so naturally, he resented Ludwik by association. Guess who benefited? Me

schadenfreude was palpable, making Whitney