Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 253

“Nothing… Just some work stuff bothering me,” Ludwik said hastily, covering up his unease.

Elaine eyed him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. However, he had not been able to perform for three years, so she did not doubt that he hadn’t been fooling around.

There was no way another woman could arouse him!

She flashed a casual smile. “Here, try the steak I grilled and this bottle of Lafite I had airmailed first thing this morning. Give it a taste, Ludwik.”

She perched seductively on the edge of the dining table, her legs lightly encircling his, her foot playfully stroking him in a flirtatious gesture.

Ludwik felt uncomfortable, his brow furrowing as he forced down the steak.

Eating felt like chewing wax; he glanced at the red wine, then at Elaine’s purposeful gaze, and declined. “I have work later. No drink for me.”

Elaine bit her lip in frustration. When she was informed that Ludwik was in perfect health, she was overjoyed. She had set her sights on winning him over tonight!

Taking a sip of wine, she straightened up, wrapping her arms around Ludwik’s neck with a sultry whisper, “Then I guess I’ll just have to feed you…”

As her lips approached, Ludwik firmly grasped her chin, his eyes chilling.

“Mmm…” Elaine’s eyes snapped open to his cold stare, shivering before she adopted a wounded tone. “Ludwik, how can we talk about marriage and kids if you’re like this? All of Banyan City knows we’re getting married in a month, and my parents are expecting grandchildren. I want to be a happy bride.”

He didn’t play into her coquettish behavior but instead asked, “Why was my medical information sent to you in real time?”

Elaine hesitated, having forgotten Ludwik’s disdain for control. She had touched a nerve but played the aggrieved party. “I was just too concerned about you, Ludwik.”

“It seems to me you’re just too eager to have kids,” Ludwik said coolly.

Her eyes welled up. “Are you blaming me? I just don’t want to end up only getting pregnant at such an old age. I really want to be intimate with you, to strengthen our love.”

This woman had sacrificed a lot for him, and Ludwik’s gaze softened. Cupping her face, he said resignedly, “Why the tears? I’ll get better. Just give me some time. And if you’re in a hurry…”

He lowered his voice with a frown. “You could buy some… toys.”

had already bought several toys, but they could only quench her thirst temporarily! There was a man right

Chapter 221

but would never let him

I only love and want you, Ludwik. I’m willing to wait for you to recover.” “Then let’s leave it

cool and

resisting her more and more. She could not tell if he genuinely

some consolation, eyes calculating as she held him. “Then you

do you want?” To Ludwik, as long as it

years, he had been indulgent and generous with Elaine in

knew this was

gleefully, often initiating requests herself, knowing that they served as proof

request came with a sly smile. “I heard that Skye Gem Ltd.’s

was taken aback but indifferent.

no trace, they had not finalized their divorce, so Skye Gem Ltd. was legally his. He had not cared to deal with it and left

courts.

interfere, but Ludwik cut off his capital chain right

court had frozen Skye Gem Ltd. for three years, and now its assets were up for auction. If not for Elaine bringing it

for any other reason, but I’ve got my eye on the Skye Gem brand. You know I’m a talented designer, and I can run a company. I want to bring in some extra

business. You couldn’t spend

company. You may hate Whitney, but I want

Ludwik’s eyes softened, “I’ll make sure Danny gets along with you.”

sight. Elaine’s lips curled into a smirk.

this for that little brat; she wanted all of Banyan City to see how much Ludwik pampered her. With just a word from

did it matter if Whitney was dead? Running her company was a victory for

with Ludwik; now,

auction tomorrow night. He has a connection with Skye Gem. And Ludwik, Danny’s nearly four years old, he should ses more of the world, or he’ll grow up even more

frowned, “Danny has never been in the public eye, and he’s

persuasive. “We’re about to get married. Danny can’t stay hidden forever. We can travel discreetly, and I promise to take good care of

much from a

for a moment, then said, “Your

in triumph. This was all part of her mother’s strategy: bringing Daniel Lippert to the public eye for the first time, and Ludwik buying Skye Gem Ltd. for her. The significance was profound, solidifying her position

for