Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 567

In the office.

Ludwik's gaze was glued to his phone, scrolling through the trending news: she and Bryce, cozy in the mall, hugging and caressing each other's faces, her cheeks flushed with a rosy tint, trying to hide her wide, sparkling eyes.

Their affection was on full display, like a couple madly in love, both intimate and ostentatious. It wasn't a staged photo but rather candid shots. She looked genuinely happy!

Clenching his phone tightly, Ludwik abruptly stood up, his knee knocking against the table with a resonant thud. Parker, hearing the cold collision, knew it was too late but walked in anyway, raising an eyebrow in concern.

At first glance, he saw Ludwik, standing rigidly before his desk, eyes filled with a frosty chill. The bright blues of the skyline through the large floor-to-ceiling windows behind him seemed miles away, unable to soften his brooding demeanor, making him appear even colder. Without thinking, Parker blurted out, "Maybe it's just Skye Gem Ltd. drumming up some publicity, creating a buzz with Whitney."

"Do you believe that?" Ludwik tossed his phone aside and sank back into his chair, his large frame making a muffled sound. His voice was chilling.

Parker thought to himself, it didn't matter whether he believed it or not, what mattered was Ludwik's belief. But the look in Ludwik's eyes was intimidating.

He had grown to resent Whitney after a misunderstanding but that didn't mean he had let her go. Whitney was his, a possessive thought deeply ingrained in him.

Parker, seeing him tormented and unsure of what to do, ventured again, "Ludwik, regardless of how Whitney feels about you, she doesn't seem like someone who would just move on to someone else. Her and Bryce... it's not real."

"Then bring her here, I want to ask her myself!" Ludwik demanded, his Adam's apple bobbing with a mix of cold fury and desperation.

Let's not talk about whether I can actually bring her here. Whitney probably won't give you the answers you're looking for. You two are like

pang of sorrow! A feeling of helplessness seeped from his clenched fists. Was he just supposed to watch as rumors about her spread online? Bryce hugging her, what would they do

pen, trying to divert his attention, unwilling to

shameless, accusing her of meddling in your engagement with Florence... Ah, there are even accusations of Bryce being a homewrecker. It's damn satisfying." Hearing Parker ramble, Ludwik's icy gaze thawed a bit. But

At the mall.

rushed to Whitney, "Ms. Valentine,

jewelry to customers, the angles all quite suggestive, with shots of Bryce holding her, tucking her hair behind her ear, even pinching her earlobe. To

reported, "Your past has

somehow linking you to Ludwik. Social media uncovered that Ludwik had publicly declared his intention to marry you just days ago. Now here you are, looking cozy with Mr. Lutzdnitially, the comments were tame, teasing Ludwik for being openly snubbed by

won't buy.' There are also comments mocking Mr. Lutz as a kept man... This could very well be the Lippert family's

brows furrowed as she scrolled through the comments. Then Bryce joined in, "Who's behind this sneak attack?

Whitney, let's

so they won't react. For any jewelry sold today, we'll handle refunds privately if there's trouble. We

Nyx, "Gather the sales staff. Start winding

and Bryce attempted to leave swiftly, a swarm of reporters blocked their exit, bombarding them

is Whitney,

your relationship with this

with Ludwik from the Lippert Group? He was engaged to your sister, Ms. Sheldon, before. Did you cause him to break off the engagement to be with

do you think your colorful private life will impact your business? Do

reporters' provocative questions echoed through the mall, putting Whitney in a