Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 60
The man stood with statuesque grace, taking a drag from his cigarette, a wisp of smoke lazily curling into the air, partially
obscuring his mature and refined features.
Before the panoramic window, he stood tall, akin to a king surveying his realm, his gaze fixed on the petite woman below.
Felix, ever the observant assistant, offered a pair of binoculars with a knowing grin. “Mr. Lippert, the view’s much better from up
here. You’ll see Ms. Valentine clearly with these!”
Parker quirked a smile, “Felix, you’ve just earned yourself a raise.”
Nolan chimed in, “Definitely a raise for Felix.”
Felix blushed at the praise, but the man glanced at the binoculars and scowled, “What do you take me for? A peeping Tom?”
Felix froze, his body going rigid.
However, in the next second, Ludwik snatched the binoculars and peered through them with keen interest.
Silence fell.
Nolan whispered, “I think we just witnessed the fastest self–contradiction in history.”
Ludwik watched as Whitney struggled to sneak into the hedge, her cheeks glistening with perspiration as she searched for a
perfect vantage point.
With casual authority, he commanded, “It’s blazing out there. Take an umbrella to her, but make sure she doesn’t spot you.”
Nolan couldn’t help but snicker, “Ludwik, you’re hopeless.”
The man turned, his expression icy, “I don’t want my child getting sunburned, alright?”
Nolan muttered under his breath, “Sure, flaunt your delicate wife while you can.”
“But you’ve got to admit, Whitney’s got brains, figuring out something’s up with her husband so fast. Still, I’d bet a dime she can’t
outsmart the big bad wolf.”

Nolan agreed, “Stack another dime on that. She’s got no chance against Ludwik!”
Just then, a soft female voice laced with laughter, broke the tension as she entered from the doorway, “What’s going on with
Whitney? How did she manage to bring such cheer to you two young masters along with Ludwik?”
Ludwik turned to see a woman dressed in a chic business suit nodding at him, “Elaine, you’re here for the meeting?”
The Imperial Gem Corporation had an important decision to make, and Ludwik had moved the meeting from the corporation’s
headquarters to the Royal One Club.
Talking in with a graceful smile. “Hello
“The board notified me. I drove over from the branch office,” she said, Nolan, Parker,”
Parker greeted her with composure, “Miss Elaine.”
Nolan, however, paused at the mention of ‘Whitney‘, accompanied by her coy laughter. Quickly, he greeted her with a polite
smile, “Elaine, always a pleasure!”

“You just love to tease me,” Elaine responded, slightly annoyed yet composed.
Her figure was elegant in her business attire, exuding a noble charm that certainly didn’t stem from her job
alone. With her striking beauty, she drew attention as she casually approached the window, smiling, “I saw Whitney sneaking
around downstairs, hiding from Ludwik. Quite amusing.”
1/3

12:03
The atmosphere turned awkward as neither Nolan nor Parker responded.
Ludwik opened a file, his expression serious, Let’s start the meeting
The meeting ended swiftly, and Nolan caught Parker’s eye, signaling for a private chat.
Nolan licked his lips nervously, “Elaine’s ‘Whitney had me breaking out in a cold sweat. Her expression was so natural. If we
didn’t know her history with Ludwik, I’d let it slide. But that soft laugh of hers, is she over him, or just playing nice in front of
Ludwik?”
Parker couldn’t tell, “With her position at the Imperial Gem Corporation and her distinguished background from Emperor City, not
to mention being strategically placed in Ludwik’s company by both families, she could hide any displeasure with ease.”
“That’s what worries me. The true belle of Emperor City, Elaine from the Bartels family, has more means, stature, and cunning
than Whitney. If she’s truly moved on, fine. But if she hasn’t, then...”
Parker squinted slightly, “Elaine is undoubtedly talented. As the chief jewelry designer at the Imperial Gem Corporation, and
given her family connections, her role holds significant importance within the Lippert family. Ludwik, with his mother in tow, is
actually walking on thin ice. Do you think he wouldn’t let her go if he could? But based on this situation, if Elaine doesn’t express
her intention to leave, Ludwik will remain silent.”
Nolan scratched his head, “It’s a tough spot, indeed. Whitney’s the unexpected twist, and the Lippert family probably doesn’t take
her seriously, just waiting for the year to pass. But what’s Ludwik’s real play here? He seems quite taken with Whitney. Either
way, Ludwik definitely doesn’t have any feelings toward Elaine; otherwise, he would have acted long ago. So, it’s not really
Whitney’s fault. And look at Elaine, her patience is something else. You know the story of the Ninja Queen, right?”.

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Parker shot him a glance, “Ludwik knows his own heart. Let’s not gossip.”
Elaine eavesdropped from around the corner, concealed in the shadows. Despite maintaining a composed facade, her clenched
teeth and strained elegance betrayed the tension within.
Her fingers momentarily curled into a fist, then relaxed.
She departed discreetly, without causing a scene.
At quarter past ten, Ludwik was preparing to leave the Royal One Club.
Nolan glanced at the figure hiding among the flowers and smirked, “She’s set on tailing you today, Ludwik. What’s the plan for
playing with your darling wife?”
Felix perused the schedule, “Mr. Lippert has a meeting at Alpine Springs Resort today, discussing a partnership. It’s chilly; his
mother needs the springs for her health.”

November had come, and Whitney was over two months along.
Ludwik licked his lips, warming them with his breath, and glanced at Parker, “You go to Imperial Gem Corporation and pretend
you’re me.”
“What? Me, the decoy?” Parker said with irritation.
Nolan volunteered with a mischievous grin, “You know Whitney’s friend, the one with the cute, doe–eyed look? Maybe I should
try my charm on her!”
“You’re not her type,” Ludwik replied, his words sharp and without mercy.
Nolan was left speechless.
Elaine approached, clutching a folder, her demeanor both efficient and gentle. “Ludwik, Mr. Lutz happens to be at the Alpine
Springs Resort. Shall we ride together? I can drive.”
Nolan cast a meaningful glance in their direction.
Ludwik remained silent.

2/3
*

Just before departure, Elaine came running over, a hint of apology in her warm and soothing eyes. When she towered her gaze,
it could make a man feel she was particularly innocent. “I’m sorry, Ludwik; my car broke
down.”
In his usual businesslike manner, Ludwik offered a gentlemanly solution, “I can give you a ride.”
Elaine slid into the passenger seat of his car.
Ludwik frowned slightly, but his attention was drawn to the red sedan behind them.
Inside, Whitney was cautiously reversing. The corner of his eye caught the action with a hint of amusement.
Elaine glanced back, her expression easy as she teased, “Is Whitney following you?”
“Hmm,” he replied, not inclined to elaborate.
Elaine returned to her documents in silence.
Deliberately driving slowly, Ludwik ensured not to lose the small car behind them.
As he reached for a cigarette, a half–ring on a red string fell out.
“Let me get that for you, Ludwik,” Elaine said, leaning over to pick it up. She had seen him carry that half–ring for years and had
inquired about its significance.
Seeing Ludwik look at the ring with a deep gaze, Elaine smiled slightly and asked, “Haven’t found the person who saved your life
yet?”
“I only know it was a girl. Afraid I might never find her,” Ludwik admitted, his heart forever softened by the memory of the girl who
had saved him that night.

Elaine eyed the half–ring, reading his expression and realizing he truly hadn’t found her. A thought flickered in the shadows of
her eyes, and biting her lip, she ventured, “Ludwik, you know my family has a long lineage in medicine, and I have some skill
myself. Actually, I am...”
Suddenly, Ludwik braked the car, his attention divided as he noticed the red sedan coming to a halt behind them. Despite the
distraction, he caught Elaine’s hesitant confession and he turned to look at her, his eyes intense, “You are what?”