Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1316

The curve of his lips never faded. "You made two mistakes in those files earlier- entered the wrong numbers."

"What? No way!" Whitney stammered, half convinced but already grabbing her phone to check.

It was the Sheldon Group's bid proposal—if she'd screwed up those numbers, that was millions on the line.

Ludwik watched her, amused by her startled, laser-focused look.

He didn't say another word, just raised an eyebrow, strode through the front door

on his long legs, and called out in that deep voice of his, "Danny! Sammy! Come help your mom."

"Whitney's back?" Camilla called from the second-floor balcony, having just finished checking on the little one.

Whitney quickly fixed the two numbers, bolted inside, and looked up at the beaming older woman. "Hi, Camilla. I'm back."

"Still calling me Camilla?" the old lady teased, drawing out the words like she was gently scolding a grandkid.

Whitney knew by now that Camilla was a total sweetheart. The first time she'd met her was at the Everwood Villa Estate ball, and it was obvious-amidst the Lippert family's shark tank, Grandma Camilla was one of a kind.

She didn't have the heart to ruin the old lady's fun, so she just hung her head and pretended to be shy, saying nothing.

Under the porch light, Ludwik stood tall and imposing. A housekeeper helped him off with his coat and handed him a glass of water.

took a sip, he answered his grandmother upstairs, "Grandma, you know you have to pay for a name

a little something in my purse. But my Whitney has to agree

replied smoothly,

just stepping inside, almost tripped-seriously? He was flexing in front of his grandma? “Interrogate" her? Please, she'd like to see him

night, Whitney was showering

was just stepping out, wrapped in a fluffy robe,

the robe tighter. Ludwik strode in, his chiseled face shadowed by the dim

to admit, the guy bounced back

in no mood to be impressed. "Ludwik, what the hell are you doing

unbothered, then calmly shut the door behind

Whitney rolled her eyes.

skin was glowing, cheeks pink, and her long, jet-black

the fluffy

she could be all business, all cool

full of soft,

The contrast was... obvious.

down

as he swallowed. "What, did you know

all dolled up to

Oh, please.

yourself. Out. Now." She jabbed a finger toward the

caught her hand in his, gave her finger a quick, playful