Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 353

She flopped down at the table, eager to get the ordering over with.

"What'll it be?" the waitress asked, eyeing the imposing Ludwik with a mix of sympathy.

"Same as my wife."

The waitress's pity deepened as she shot Orion a look, "Seems like there's no shortage of guys on the side these days, not even half as good-looking as the real deal." Orion?

Calling him the other man was one thing, but saying he wasn't as handsome as Ludwik? That was a low blow.

He scowled.

Ludwik stood up and made his way to the barbecue grill where the cook was preparing their food. His brows furrowed in disgust, his obsession with cleanliness kicking in, "Did you wash everything my wife ordered?"

"We wouldn't serve it if it wasn't clean, we've been in business for over a decade!" the cook retorted.

Ludwik tossed a wad of bills at the waitress, "Wash hers again, just to avoid any stomach issues."

The waitress looked conflicted, "And what about his?" She nodded towards Orion's order.

Ludwik didn't reply, instead, he walked over, picked up a handful of dirt, and sprinkled it over the skewers, "Just like that, the dirtier, the better."

The cook and waitress were both speechless.

So, it wasn't long before Orion was chewing on more grit than meat.

"This is ridiculous," he complained to Whitney, "Doesn't yours have any grit in it?"

"Not at all," Whitney replied innocently, her lips tinged pink from the spices, puffing her cheeks as she ate, her face a delicate shade of red. Ludwik's gaze deepened, reminiscing about the time, three years ago, when he introduced her to spicy street food. Back then, she had none of the airs of a high-society lady, just a girl who loved the thrill of spice.

But those days were long gone, replaced by a cold, cunning woman, shrouded in mystery, slipping from his grasp.

about to get married... He averted his gaze as she coughed, passing her

murmured, looking at his elegant

in the moment, thinking about Elaine's wild ways. Whitney felt a brief pang of sympathy for him before snapping out of it,

"It's dirty."

Fine, play the aristocrat.

heart feeling oddly heavy. When it was Orion's turn,

jewelry expos, or

was taken aback by the

you home. Stay

he should focus more on Elaine, with her

ringing. "Felix?... Right, I'm on my

"There's an urgent matter

get home myself, thanks," Whitney replied, waving him

him, leaving Whitney to reflect on the night in

you. Did you see the way he looked

she quickly dismissed the thought. After being

remarked, showing her a news article about Ludwik gifting Elaine a four-million-dollar wedding

seemed even colder as Whitney read about their plans to start

keeping her

chimed. A message from Jarvis: "Ms. Valentine, are

and Elaine were done

Orion, "There's a way to get back at Ludwik, with someone's help.

was shocked at her sudden change of

Jarvis. He's after

mentioned your dad doesn't think highly of Ludwik, suspecting his background, right? Jarvis, from the Lippert family in Emperor City, that powerful Lippert family, isn't that your uncle?" "Yeah, but my dad and uncle don't get along. His base in

Ludwik must be tied

it wasn't

back in her chair, her slender frame cold and rigid, a bitter laugh escaping her lips despite