Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 226

Elaine could not hide it any longer, and with a sigh of frustration, she confessed, “I don’t know what

happened; I was sure I had avoided it tonight!”

“It’s that time of the month; you need to rest and take it easy. This can wait,” Ludwik reassured her with

a sense of relief in his voice, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “Besides, I’m not feeling quite

like myself tonight either. I wouldn’t want to leave you with a bad impression, Elaine. You should get

some sleep.”

His tone was too calm.

Elaine was smart and suddenly remembered the water… Her gaze faltered, and her expression paled

as she looked at his face, seeking answers.

Ludwik looked back at her with tender eyes, not avoiding her gaze, the depths of his eyes

unfathomable.

Elaine clenched her fists, realizing she did not have the courage to confront him.

He helped her dress and gently laid her on the bed, touching her forehead tenderly. “Sleep well,

sweetheart,” he whispered.

The man turned off the light and left the room indifferently.

In the darkness, Elaine quickly heard the sound of the front door closing downstairs.

Furious, she got up, ran barefoot down the stairs, and grabbed the bowl of water from the table. She

had guzzled it earlier when he had coaxed her, but now she could detect an unusual medicinal flavor.

She had been duped!



Elaine dug her nails into her palms, a mix of embarrassment and rage making her smash the bowl to

pieces!

He had prepared the water in advance to prevent anything from happening between them, even if it

meant inducing her period early.

His indifference chilled her to the bone. Why?

Why would he refuse to…

Her head felt like it would explode. She had tried to touch his crotch earlier, and he had shown no

desire.

She had thought maybe the mood was not right, but now she understood. He was not interested in her!

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He did not love her, which was why he could look at her body so calmly.

It was all Whitney’s fault. He still longed for that woman’s touch, which was why he disregarded Elaine!

That vixen, even though divorced and trampled under her feet, had the audacity to humiliate her on her

engagement night.

Elaine’s face twisted in hatred. As long as Whitney was around, Ludwik’s heart would never

return to her!

She began to plot viciously.

Ludwik arrived at his apartment alone, standing in front of the window at his desk, smoking. His tall

silhouette was a portrait of solitude.



Felix sensed the depth of the president’s preoccupation, his lonely figure as distant as a thousand

miles.

Since Ludwik had left Everwood Villa Estate early, Felix figured he probably did not make any real

contact with Elaine.

His heart clearly was not with her.

Tonight, he might sit in silence until dawn.

Felix had prepared everything as instructed, and seeing the man’s heavy movements as he stubbed

out his cigarette, he could not help but sigh in consolation, “Mr. Lippert, she won’t belong to anyone

else; she’s still yours. But are you sure you want to do this?”

Ludwik closed his eyes, his long fingers resting against his temple, silent in his severity.

At the apartment.

Bryce arrived late at night.

Whitney and her two best friends had just finished making spicy burritos, the aroma wafting

from the kitchen.

“What’s cooking that smells so good?” Bryce chuckled.

Behind him were his company’s investment manager and two female stylists carrying several luxurious

gowns.

“We’re making burritos,” Whitney replied with a smile.



Bryce glanced at her friends, then pulled Whitney aside, his voice gentle, “I was worried about your

mood today and didn’t want to intrude and make things worse. I didn’t expect your friends to have

cheered you up so much. Thank them for me.”

“Uncle Bryce, could you be any sweeter?” Tiana murmured.

“Uncle Bryce?” He was puzzled.

Valerie chuckled, “Tiana’s ex–fiancé Gunner, you know him, right?”

Bryce was taken aback, looked at Whitney, and waved his hand. “I’m not close to him. My nephew is

such a mess; we’re not cut from the same cloth.”

Tiana laughed and nudged Whitney, whispering, “He’s really good at cheering you up. This old guy

sure has a way with words.”

“Ms. Melford, I can hear you,” Bryce responded, amused.

Whitney’s lips twitched. Why did it feel like Bryce had instantly won over her friends?

She steered the conversation back. “Mr. Lutz, what brings you here?”

“I’ve got a ton of things. There’s a lot to prepare for the engagement tomorrow, and I didn’t want to

upset you, so I waited until now to bring the dresses. But most importantly, I need your signature on an

investment document.”

Bryce snapped his fingers with a flourish, and the investment manager handed over a contract.

Whitney was taken aback and somewhat touched as she read it, “Mr. Lutz, a two billion investment in

Skye Gem is no small amount. With your situation being so volatile, won’t this blow our cover?”



“Darling, just watch as Skye Gem comes roaring back to life! Leave the rest to me. I promised to invest

before the engagement, and I always keep my word.”

His reliability made her feel unworthy.

“Two billion, Mr. Lutz is really splashing the cash. Let’s call it an engagement gift,” Tiana joked. Whitney

shot her a glare. “You all know that he and I are actually…”

“Let’s not dwell on it. Mr. Lutz would be heartbroken. Even if it’s all for show, who knows what the future

holds? With the right conditions, it could turn real,” Tiana said, looking at Bryce’s affectionate gaze and

advising Whitney, “After the engagement tomorrow, everything will become clear. Time to change your

mindset and move on. You’ve got your friends and a man who supports you; what’s there to fear? Let

go of the past and think of your child, your uncle, and your cousin.”

Indeed, Whitney had planned to use Bryce’s help to get her uncle out early after the engagement.

Ludwik was engaged to Elaine, and they seemed happy together.

It was time to let go of her own entanglements and move toward a new direction.

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Ludwik had used his actions today to say goodbye to their past.

Taking a deep breath, she realized that with the new investment, Skye Gem would be revived, and her

life would improve, right?

Tonight seemed like a turning point, bidding a hasty farewell to her past.

“Alright, I’ll muster up my spirits to face this new chapter of life, to make money and take care of my

baby,” she said, picking up a hint of a smile.



“Making money to raise a baby is totally unnecessary. You’re a powerful woman, and the Lutz Group is

rolling in dough,” Tiana said, linking her arm with her friend’s. “We’ll make it big together.”

“Alright, Valerie and I won’t be third wheels anymore. We’ll leave Mr. Lutz to plan tomorrow’s banquet.

See you in the morning.”

The two besties left in a hurry, not wanting to be a nuisance.

The apartment fell silent. In an attempt to ease the awkwardness, Whitney picked up the gown and

said, “I’ll go try this on for size.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Bryce said with a gentlemanly gesture.

Surveying the modest apartment, Bryce spoke in a warm tone, “It’s a bit sparse here, but I’ve picked

out a crib in baby blue. The little one will surely love it…”

His gaze turned, and he suddenly became silent, struck by amazement.

The woman emerging from the bathroom was draped in a champagne–colored gown that flowed

elegantly over her form, her figure delicate in all aspects save for the gentle swell of her belly.

Her skin was radiant ivory, so flawless it seemed the lightest touch could mar it. With no need for

makeup, her long hair casually pinned up, she exuded a breathtaking beauty.

Her eyes, though calm, inexplicably ignited a fire in Bryce.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and with his hand to his mouth, his gaze intense, he whispered, “You

look stunning, Whitney.”

Whitney, flustered and gripping the hem of her dress, was uncomfortable with such praise from a man

she hardly knew. Her cheeks flushed with a soft hue under the shimmering light.



She quickly put on a professional smile. “As long as it fits. Tomorrow,is just a formality!”

He could not help but step closer, wrapping his arms gently around her.

As Whitney struggled, Bryce tightened his hold. “You’re truly breathtaking. I’m sorry. May I just hold you

for a moment?”

