Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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“Ms. Designer, if you’re sincere about your
“I’ll bring my A–game, ma’am. You’ll be dazzled, I promise!” Whitney assured, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Claire, the
formidable lady of the Lutz household, simply huffed. “That’s more like it. And as for the bracelet, it’s mine now. Bryce, show our
guest out.”
Watching Claire admire the bracelet, Whitney knew she had managed to soothe her ire.
FEE FOE Sis
Outside the hospital room, Whitney turned, grateful, only to find herself locked in the warm gaze of Bryce. “Thank you for
stepping in today, Mr. Lutz,” she said, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“I’m Bryce Lutz, the second son. I’m a few years your senior,” he said with a hint of a smile, clearly intrigued by her. “I’m familiar
with you, Whitney, right?”
Surprised, Whitney wondered what she could have possibly done to catch the attention of such a prominent
family.
Seeing her confusion, Bryce explained, “I spent most of my time abroad, so it’s only normal you don’t know who I am. I saw you
once at a social event and was quite taken aback by your beauty and talent. However, you seemed too young, and I thought it
wasn’t appropriate for me to do anything.”
Clearing his throat, Bryce offered a charming smile. “Ms. Valentine, remember your promise. Allow me to escort you.”
“I will keep my word. But I wouldn’t dream of troubling you, Mr. Lutz!” Whitney quickly declined, inwardly thrilled that her troubles
seemed to be resolving so smoothly.
As Whitney walked away, Bryce watched her go, his eyes narrowing slightly. She was stunning and talented–a rare find indeed.
:
A week later, Whitney was discharged from the hospital, alone. With a lot on her plate at Skye Gem, she returned to the quiet of
the villa. The house felt colder with Natalie away at a wellness retreat and no sign of the man.
Was this his subtle way of saying he had had enough?

She knew that if this went on, the two of them would never make up again, and her heart only grew more bitter. At this moment,
she regretted ever agreeing to date him. Given the current situation, it was better for them to be strangers.
Maybe it was time to move out. After all, it would be inappropriate to obstruct him from coming home. Plus, Natalie was not
around, so it would make things easier.
Seated in his executive office at Imperial Gem Corporation, Felix received a call from the nurse, telling him what Whitney ate and
the condition of the baby.

Today, there was something new. “Madam left the hospital on her own 10 o’clock in the morning today,” Felix said to Ludwik.
Taking a sneak peek at the man behind the desk, he was just about to speak when Ludwik said, “Why? Has she done her
reflection?”
Amused by Ludwik’s imagination, Felix said bitterly. “She discharged herself.”
Ludwik’s face turned as cold as ice. It’s none of my business even if she left the face of earth! Who told you to report her
situation to me?”
Speechless, Felix realized he had touched a nerve.
Ten minutes, Felix received another call. With the resolve to face death, he returned to report to Ludwik. “Mr. Lippert, the driver
saiti Madam drove the car out to house hunt. It seems she plans to... move out.”
The room fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of a fountain pen shattering on the floor.
Trembling. Felix looked at that fountain pen worth more than a million dollars.

Ludwik’s fury was barely contained as he cursed, “Damned woman.”
He was really tempted to find out what was inside that brain of hers that could enrage him so much!
“What are you waiting for? Find out where she’s house hunting!” He ordered Felix as he immediately left the building
Then, he stormed into the United Realty Corporation building, only to find Whitney exiting, having been casually browsing for
future reference. The cold aura the gorgeous man emanated froze her in her tracks.
“Mr. Lippert?” She greeted politely.
Ludwik had been so furious he had forgotten to put on his mask.
Seeing the smile on her pale face, he was even more furious.
Whitney felt numb on her scalp from his stare. However, having recalled something, she approached and smiled apologetically,
saying, “Mr. Lippert, are you free now? It’s lunchtime, and I’d like to invite you to eat with me. I owe you a thanks, remember?”
Ludwik’s rage was on the verge of exploding.
His response was icy and cutting. “You enjoy inviting men for meals? Can’t live a day without one? Get lost.”
Confused and offended, Whitney wondered, “What’s wrong with this guy? Schizophrenia? He shamelessly teased me last time,
and now he acts like I’m his enemy? What the hell?”
However, she could not afford to offend such a powerful man. Thus, she tried to explain herself, “Mr. Lippert, I’d really appreciate
it if you can agree to have this meal with me, there’s business I’d...”

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“Tell her to get lost.” Ludwik strode away into the lift.
Whitney could not believe it.
Hidden from view, Felix shivered, knowing full well Ludwik’s wrath. Whitney had inadvertently crossed a line, seeking
companionship with “Ludwik” while she was quarreling with her ‘husband‘.

On the fifth floor, Ludwik, still reeling from his encounter with Whitney, asked Felix, “Where the hell did she go? Didn’t she say
she wanted to invite me to a meal? Where’s her sincerity?”
Speechless, Felix replied, “Madam seemed to have gone to the ladies‘ room.”
Minutes later, Whitney returned, contentedly eating a baked sweet potato. Ludwik glared at Felix. “She was buying a sweet
potato. You lied for her.”
“Perhaps she was simply hungry. She’s pregnant, after all.” Felix replied, exasperated.
Ludwik’s mood was a complex mix of irritation and concern, watching Whitney from afar, unable to shake off his feelings for the
enigmatic woman who had unknowingly captured his heart.
“Send her up; I’ll grace her with my presence,” the man said darkly.
Felix felt like his entire worldview had shattered.
Whitney had no clue this guy could flip his lid faster than a pancake on a hot griddle. Because of him, she had
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Chapter 84
not even had her fill of sweet potato.
Rushing upstairs, she humbly invited, “Mr. Lippert, thank you for honoring me with your company. Shall we head to the French
bistro?”
Ludwik’s face darkened further. “A French bistro? Such a fancy joint, you and your hubby probably never set foot in one, huh?”.

Why was he being so weirdly sarcastic?
She pointed across the street. “It’s just convenient because it’s close by,” she explained.
Speechless, Felix thought to himself, “The boss is really full of himself.”
Ludwik stormed into the private dining room of the French bistro without the courtesy of pulling out a chair for Whitney.
She felt like Ludwik was possessed by L.
Had it not been for that one time she had seen beneath L’s mask, she would totally think they were the same person. After all,
their foul temper seemed all too familiar.
Biting back her anger, she ordered their meal while Ludwik gave her the cold shoulder, staring out the window instead.
Oh well, she thought, at least his stunning looks helped douse the fire of her temper.
Whitney got straight to the point. “Mr. Lippert, I invited you to dine today primarily in my role as general manager of Skye Gem. I
wanted to address the slander in the news about me allegedly pushing fake diamonds into your supply chain. I sincerely
apologize for any harm this may have caused your company, but I must make it clear-I didn’t do it! If you don’t believe me, we
can go to the police station and confront Carter. The whole story was fabricated by my stepsister, Monica, to frame me.”
Ludwik paused, taken aback that she had actually invited him to lunch to discuss a serious matter and not for some
underhanded reason.
As she explained her innocence, her small face was stubborn, and her gaze was direct. Something in Ludwik’s chest, which had
been heavy for days, shifted ever so slightly.