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

even asking a lady to inquire inside, but Whitney was nowhere to

lied

Ludwik was also conspicuously absent from

Perhaps, they had met...

around his wine glass, but 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 at such a young age. He's invited us to dine

excelled in business, not flattery, especially after Ludwik accused her of using her charms for business success three years

eager for relentless networking but simply

seemingly wanting her to

herself amidst encouraging toasts, drinking more

tea. "Whitney, you've done well, I didn't expect them to be such heavy drinkers.

his element, his demeanor gentle yet

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

palm stiffened. How

regained 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 all require insider information. We've been slow to develop because we missed

you can just tell me straight. I won't mind, but I do

I was careless,

but as he turned to leave, his

slap for his excuses the

been obvious in his intentions

encounter with Ludwik

That damned man.

the politicians but instead met up with

looking equally grim, was chewing on a

to seek you out for advice. I need to settle the score with Ludwik tonight, make

aback, their

what's got you so