Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 268

For three tumultuous years, Skye Gem Ltd. had weathered the storm, its shareholders eager to cannibalize it for a hefty profit, leaving me powerless to protect it for you.

Now, with Skye Gem Ltd. in the voracious grasp of Elaine's takeover, I fear we may be... Whitney curled her lips in a smirk, hushing the disappointed woman with a finger to her lips, then dialed Bryce on her smartphone. "How's it going, Whitney?"

"Ludwik's handed Skye Gem Ltd. over to Elaine."

"I figured as much. How are you holding up?"

A warmth spread through Whitney's heart. That jerk? She'd given up on him long ago. His defense of Elaine barely made a ripple in her calm.

But Skye Gem Ltd.? They had another thing coming!

"Bryce, Elaine hasn't finalized the auction house proceedings. I've got one last shot at getting Skye Gem Ltd. back."

"Oh? Do tell," Bryce chuckled, sensing she came prepared.

"The auction house's old man, you've done business with him, right? Here's the plan: I'll have Nyx handle something for me. You feed Nyx the guy's whereabouts, give her a little nudge, and we could wrap this up tonight. I'm counting on you." "You mean to..."

Bryce paused, amused by the implication. "Well then! You've still got the cunning of your days in the ring-all instinct."

Yeah, Whitney mused, narrowing her eyes. She knew all the moves; once, she played by the book.

Now, she refused to be pushed around again!

She leaned in close to Nyx's ear and whispered, "The auction house boss, he's got a taste for young men. Find a couple of clean-cut lads, send them over tonight. Make sure they take good care of him-and get it on camera. Give the boss his copy on the spot and save one for me."

Nyx caught on instantly, her eyes widening with surprise. Three years had changed Ms. Valentine, indeed.

Elaine stepped into the elevator, reining in her fury, slapped herself for effect, then shot a meaningful glance at Jaxon.

Jaxon nodded, understanding her game, and dialed Ludwik.

"Hello?" came the man's deep, magnetic voice.

"Mr. Lippert, Jaxon here. Elaine didn't want you to know, but she's had a run-in at Skye Gem Ltd. with Whitney causing a scene, even got slapped!"

"What?" Ludwik's face darkened instantly at the thought of Whitney laying a hand on Elaine.

"Elaine was prepping for a shareholders' meeting when Ms. Valentine barged in, mocking her, flaunting an alleged rendezvous with you last night, leaving Elaine distressed. She's using the auction house proceedings as an excuse to squat in the CEO's office for a few days, told Elaine to get lost!" "That damn woman." Ludwik's anger flared, exacerbated by his freshly bandaged wound and the previous night's unrest. He was itching to put that shameless woman in her place.

"Is Elaine alright?"

composed Elaine, "She took the elevator alone, teary-eyed. She doesn't want to bother you with this,

she was

elevator and walked into the parking garage, her

her

does it still

know already..."

don't

I just wanted to confront her

"Ludwik, I would never fall for Whitney's provocations. I trust you. I

trouble you today, I won't let her off. I'll have the auction house speed up the proceedings tomorrow. Let's see how she plays CEO then!" "Ludwik, we

stepping all over you, sometimes you're just too kind. Not everyone is like

was sharp, his intent

corner of Elaine's lips as she stepped out of the conference room,

could outplay her?

in better spirits,

scratches into the BMW's hood. Abruptly, she heard a noise inside the car. Elaine froze, peering through the

quickly regained composure. But why was there a child in

heard the car door

Elaine called out,

saw was a small, black-clad figure darting between the parked

name slipped out

profile-it looked just

he doing

cars to no avail. The

She called

tried to stay hidden, his lips

was Elaine,

upstairs?

fists. He wasn't

him, it would only be a matter of

Danny couldn't let that happen. He pressed himself further into the

On that side-

unease crossed her eyes, and she immediately dialed the maid at the Everwood Villa Estate. "Is the young master

Lyra, quickly checked upstairs, "Ma'am, the young master is

was puzzled and