Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 48
The man looked at her with a mysterious smile. “Surprised to find me so unremarkable?”
It was not that.
The monthly rent for this office space could not even match the cost of a single button on his suit. It was a glaring mismatchi
The petite woman eyed him with suspicion.
His smile was deep–seated as he offered a gentlemanly gesture, “Please, take a seat.”
Whitney turned to see the only chair in the office, its foam innards spilling out through a tear.
Frankly, she had never sat on such a shabby piece of furniture. What on earth did he do for a living?
Clutching the hem of her skirt, she perched on the edge of the chair, revealing a pair of milky–white, slender legs that dazzled
the eye. She sat with a demure grace that barely touched the seat.
He appraised her attire from head to toe; her pink blouse enhanced her porcelain complexion, and her hair cascaded over her
shoulders, a few wisps playfully framing her forehead. Today, she looked particularly youthful, her figure outlined by a subtle
curve.
Who had dressed her like this? The directness of his gaze unexpectedly brought a blush to Whitney’s face.
“What did you want to see me about?” She asked.
Only then did his gaze drift from her figure, and he pressed the intercom button..
Soon after, a male assistant arrived with a woman who looked like a seasoned executive assistant – attractive face, curvy figure,
obviously high–class. She glanced at Whitney, then turned pale as she faced the man behind the desk, “Boss.”
His voice was icy as he began, “Iris, where was I on the afternoon of October 1st? Did you take any calls for me without
permission?”
The executive assistant faltered, “You were at the Coastline City branch. After the emergency meeting concluded at five, you
rested in the lounge and left your phone outside.”

Whitney blinked, realizing he had summoned her to clarify.
The assistant’s voice trembled, “I saw the call was from Madam, and I’ve admired you for so long that I foolishly answered the
phone. Please forgive me, boss!”
He continued attending to his paperwork, simply gesturing towards Whitney.
Whitney suddenly felt her dignity had been acknowledged.
Iris bit her lip and approached Whitney to apologize, “Madam, I’m so sorry, I was out of line!”
“Why did you say you were in the same room as him?” Whitney remembered the voice on the phone; it was indeed Iris. She
narrowed her eyes and asked.
The woman’s jealousy flared, “Because I wanted you to think we were close!

That made sense.
Whitney looked at Iris, recalling the woman she had seen in L’s car that morning. Was it the same person?
She was not sure.
At that moment, the man’s gaze settled on Whitney, his voice lazily deep, “Are you satisfied now?”
Whitney snapped back to reality, her gaze clashing with his detached one; he looked so aboveboard yet aloof.”
Whitney silently pursed her lips.
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17:59
Chapter 48
His voice was cold and ruthless as he said, “Felix, fire her.”
“Please, boss!” The executive assistant begged, “Give me another chance...”
The assistant escorted her out.
The office fell silent.
Whitney quietly raised her head, her eyes meeting his.
He was watching her!
Clearing her throat to hide the sudden brightening of her spirits, she pouted, “Well, things are somewhat clearer
now...”
Somewhat? That’s quite an attitude to have in my presence, Madam. Do you still think I’m a womanizer?” He asked with a
mocking lift of his eyebrow.
Whitney’s face flushed, her hands tightening. She appreciated his efficiency but was not ready to concede, “I don’t know... It
would be better if you and I maintained a respectful distance. That way, there would be no overstepping, no arguments.”
He stared at her intently, seemingly displeased..

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A phone call interrupted them, and he furrowed his brow to deal with business matters. Running out of time, he had his assistant
take Whitney home.
Confused, Whitney exited the building, which did not seem to fit his corporate image.
Meanwhile, on the 28th floor, Ludwik stood by the window on a call.
A graceful figure entered, her poise impeccable.
When Ludwik finished his call and turned, his brow creased at the sight of her, “What brings you from the branch office?”
“Ludwik.” The woman was dressed in a sharp business suit, lacking any of the ostentatious flair of the secretary. She carried a
professional aura and exquisite features that spoke of a high–society upbringing. She said with a slightly apologetic smile, “Iris
was one of my subordinates I left behind. I didn’t expect her to disrupt your new relationship with Whitney. I’ve come to offer my
apologies.”
Ludwik watched her, his gaze no different than it would be for any other subordinate, yet there was an
undercurrent of warmth.

She was a loyal partner and held an important position, now serving as the CEO of the branch office.
He said flatly, “You have no reason for self–reproach. Return to your duties.”
“Yes, Ludwik.” She nodded obediently and left, but not without looking back with a teasing smile. “Nolan mentioned there’s
something special about Whitney. It seems he was right. You’ve even ‘moved‘ your office to this rundown place. What are you
hiding from Whitney?”
“Get back to work,” he replied, his tone chilling.
With a respectful nod, she departed/
On the 24th–floor balcony, Iris accepted a card from the woman and said, “Thank you, Elaine.”
She was Elaine’s confidante, not enamored with Ludwik but following Elaine’s orders to answer the phone and rile Whitney by
pretending they were in the same room.
“I’ll leave Imperial Gem Corporation immediately,” she stated respectfully.

Elaine’s lips curled into a cold smirk, “A small joke, but well played.”
Iris knew she was referring to provoking Whitney.
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17:59
Llame had yet to reveal herself to Whitney, Iris was merely a scapegoat
But as long as Ludwik remained unsuspicious, all was well.
tris Tell a mix of resentment and relief, “All these years, every female secretary has been arranged by you. M Lippert’s side has
been clean except for Whitney. She’s the only obstacle to the path you could easily have walked down. Sooner or later... your
patience will pay off.”
The woman’s smile faltered momentarily. She had harbored feelings for Ludwik. For years, she had been the loyal, demure lady
by his side, professional and silent.
She glanced down from the balcony, her smile mixing with a frosty edge, “You’re wrong. She’s not an obstacle, she’s a usurper!”
Her fingers clenched tightly.
Down below, Whitney was about to get into the car.
Yet, she could not shake the feeling of a gaze boring into her from above.
She paused, flustered.
Was it just her imagination? A chill ran down her spine as if someone was watching her with malevolent intent. Whitney frowned
and got into the car.
Back at the townhouse, Whitney recounted her afternoon’s adventure to Tiana.
“You wouldn’t believe how shabby his company looked. No sign, no nothing. I rummaged around for ages and couldn’t dig up a
single piece of useful info. And get this, he still goes by ‘Mr. L’”

Tiana let out a low chuckle, “Mysterious Mr. L, huh? You’re too naive, girl. He probably intentionally picked out that dump to keep
you in the dark!”
Whitney had been harboring doubts herself. “Tiana, do you think he might know me?”
“Wrong question, honey. It’s more like you might know him!” Tiana’s tone was more pointed.
“That makes sense. He’s afraid I’ll recognize him, so he wears a mask? But I don’t know many men well, and he doesn’t match
any of them. I just don’t get it–why would he hide his identity from me?“