Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 743

Whitney slammed the door in his face! Oh, how she wished she could give him a couple more kicks, but the opportunity had passed.

She didn't dare stay any longer; who knew if he would try to lay a hand on her again.

Biting her lip hard, she looked around and, seeing no one outside the study, quickly made her escape. Ludwik leaned against the wall, rolling a cigarette in his throat, watching her cautious, thief-like retreat. He took a drag, chuckling softly.

She was gone, but a trace of her feminine fragrance lingered, softly echoing in Ludwik's heart.

He savored the memory of their kiss behind the narrow partition, involuntarily licking his lips.

This sneaky thrill made him wildly infatuated, his heartbeat unstoppable.

-

Whitney didn't dare approach Bryce and instead sought refuge in a restroom.

Ludwik had smudged her lipstick in their hurried encounter; she needed a makeup touch-up.

After fixing herself up, she took a deep breath and returned to the party.

"Whitney! Where have you been? I've been calling you, searching everywhere for you."

The sight of her made Bryce rush over, concern written all over his gentle face.

Whitney felt a twinge of guilt.

She hastily adjusted her hair. "Bryce, sorry, I just saw you chatting with Ronan and the others, so I went to the restroom. My dress was uncomfortable, so I took a while to adjust it." She scrambled for an excuse.

that so?" Bryce's eyes darkened

restroom earlier, even asking a lady to inquire inside, but Whitney was

had lied to

conspicuously

Perhaps, they had met...

he maintained a smiling face, "Glad you're okay. I had a chat with Ronan; he asked about you, admiring how you've become a businesswoman

using her charms for business success three years ago, which had hurt her pride. Since then, she'd been cautious about keeping her distance from clients

eager for relentless

clear, seemingly wanting her to be present for appearances, making it hard for her to

encouraging toasts,

offering her a warm cup of tea. "Whitney, you've done well, I didn't expect them to be such heavy drinkers. I'll handle the rest; you just relax." Whitney glanced at him, her head

his element, his

words, she hesitated before softly asking, "Bryce, you came here tonight mainly to connect with

palm stiffened. How did she

his composure, a hint of resignation on his lips, "Whitney, I indeed came to the party concerned about you. Meeting Ronan was unexpected, so I thought why not make an acquaintance. You're unaware, but The Lutz Group's auditing, tax, and foreign trade companies

"Next time, you can just tell me straight. I won't mind, but I

I was careless, my apologies, my

a conciliatory smile, but as he turned to leave,

a slap for his

in his intentions that

encounter with Ludwik

That damned man.

didn't return to schmooze with the politicians but instead

was chewing

for advice. I need to settle

was taken aback, their thoughts

"Nolan, what's got