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.”

toys, but they could only quench her

Chapter 221

never let him see

into his embrace. “What are you talking about? That’s not my point. You know I only love and want you, Ludwik. I’m willing to wait for you to recover.” “Then let’s leave it for tonight. I’m really not in the mood. Sorry to make you wait.” Ludwik took the opportunity to sidestep

cool and

tonight was another bust. He seemed to be resisting her more and more. She could not tell if he genuinely lacked interest in women or if he was

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

as long as it was not sex, anything else was fine.

indulgent and generous with

this was his way of compensating.

accepted gleefully, often initiating requests herself, knowing that they served

heard that

was taken aback

Skye Gem Ltd. was legally

courts.

but Ludwik cut off his

its assets were up for auction. If not for Elaine bringing it up, Ludwik

reason, but I’ve got my eye on the Skye Gem

don’t need you to bring in extra business. You couldn’t spend all

all, it’s Danny’s mother’s company. You may hate Whitney, but I want to do something for

too kind,” Ludwik’s eyes softened, “I’ll make sure Danny gets along

Elaine’s lips curled

little brat; she wanted all of Banyan City to see how much Ludwik pampered her. With just a word from her, his ex-wife’s company would

if Whitney was dead? Running her company was

score points with Ludwik; now, he would make sure

night. He has a connection with Skye Gem. And Ludwik, Danny’s nearly four years old, he

never been in

We can travel discreetly, and I promise to take

from a young age had contributed to

pondered for a moment, then said, “Your

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

for their smooth