Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1020

sure of.

She was the epitome of kindness, grace, and warmth, always able to discern right from wrong. Even when faced with situations that left her startled and initially resistant, she would eventually come around, especially if a child's welfare was at stake. That much he was Yet, the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat, never making it out.

"What do you mean by actually?" Whitney eyed him suspiciously, trying to decipher the unspoken thoughts behind his evasive gaze.

"Nothing, let's just get dinner started, I'm famished." Ludwik's slender fingers rested elegantly on his knee.

Whitney pursed her lips, sensing his reluctance. She had seen him return home, looking rather out of sorts. Frowning slightly, she probed, "Are you sure it's nothing?"

The man paused, a faint smile playing on his lips, "I was just about to compliment you on being a great mother. What, want to hear more?"

Whitney brushed off his comment with annoyance and turned away, her slim figure heading towards the kitchen.

Ludwik leaned forward to grab his glass, his gaze darkening.

A small figure approached, Sammy, having finally managed to send Danny upstairs to get dressed.

Sammy came to his dad's side, catching Ludwik's attention.

He had already noticed Sammy's unease.

Almost in sync with Sammy's worried glance towards the kitchen, Ludwik wrapped an arm around his concerned child, his voice somber, "She's back, daddy brought your sister home, but..." "But what?" Sammy looked up, his eyes reddening, "I want to see her. Daddy, I want to see her!"

"It's complicated."

his son's trembling hand, placing a finger to his lips to

accept it, a tear rolling down his cheek, "How can my sister

lot, and daddy is sorry." Ludwik stroked his head,

back his tears, Sammy buried his face in his father's

wiped his eyes with his sleeve and looked complicatedly at his unknowing mother before pretending to walk away. Ludwik watched his son with a heavy

time arrived, members of the Lippert

wife, accompanied by a bewildered

from her bedroom

back! I told you not to worry, Ludwik isn't a disobedient child. See how much he cares about his twins, he's home now!" "Grandma." Ludwik lifted his dark eyes, signaling her to look towards the kitchen, "Whitney knew I was

her loudness

her head out, flustered by Ludwik's suggestive words, she explained, "I got his message in the morning, brought the kids down.

clear; she was merely obliging, not

about me, worried I hadn't eaten

were slow and deliberate, utterly

over the kettle to a servant,

kitchen, unwilling to spare Ludwik

couple's awkwardness, couldn't help

"Ludwik's just got a sharp tongue. Men, right? If they weren't thick-skinned, how would they ever win over a wife? Whitney, don't take him too seriously. I saw how happy he was with your loving breakfast!" "Camilla..." Whitney was at a loss for words. As long as she was around, Camilla never ceased playing matchmaker, endlessly praising her grandson, urging

and read the paper? I'll let you know when

glanced upstairs towards

lady of the Lippert household, which filled him with

With you away, the Lippert Group needed someone

Inko Group, where no mistakes could afford to be made. The competition, particularly from the Patrick Group and Bryce, was fierce, looking for any opportunity

Bryce brought thoughts of Florence and the mysterious assailant to Ludwik's mind. With Phineas attacked, the underlying plots against

of these responsibilities, Ludwik's gaze