Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 256

Ludwik’s face was etched with a frosty scowl as he watched the scene unfold before him.

There was no doubt in his mind that the bewitching woman at Orion’s side was indeed her.

To think she had the audacity to sneak into the auction with Orion and Bryce…

When did she become so shameless, so brazen?

His irritation grew at the thought, but he was determined not to let them have the last

laugh.

“Forty billion dollars!” Ludwik declared, his voice resounding like a gavel coming down.

The room filled with gasps, and just when everyone was resigning themselves to the

staggering sum as the final bid, a sultry voice laced with a raspy laugh echoed from the

back of the hall, “Mr. Lippert, I’ll bid 50 billion. Don’t compete with me, okay?”

Ludwik’s head snapped around.

Across the room, through the temporal divide, the way she said ‘Mr. Lippert‘ short–

circuited his nerves in the most inconvenient manner.

In the business world, countless people had called him Mr. Lippert.

Plenty of flirtatious women had called him ‘Mr. Lippert‘ seductively.

But none had ever sent a jolt through his spine and electrified his entire being like she just

did.

Damn that. woman.

Ludwik’s muscles tensed as he emerged from his daze, just in time to hear the auctioneer

concluding the three calls and slamming the gavel down. “Fifty billion dollars! Skye Gem

Ltd. goes to this lady. Miss, may we have your name? And your method of payment?”

“Whitney Valentine,” the woman stepped out from her seat.

Her chic velvet gown trailed to her ankles, with a daring slit up the front, seemingly torn in

haste, revealing her porcelain–smooth legs.

With each step, the sway of her figure was enchanting, drawing the eyes of every man in

the

room.

She slowly approached the podium, and as the lights illuminated her stunning features,

the crowd caught their breath.

Removing her veil, she revealed her full visage, smiling flirtatiously at the auctioneer, “My

name’s Whitney Valentine. And the payment will be taken care of by Mr. Orion Lippert and

Mr. Bryce Lutz. Thank you!”

The room fell silent, then erupted in murmurs.

“Whitney, that’s Whitney? The former CEO of Skye Gem Ltd.?”

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“I thought she was dead. How did she come back? She’s Mr. Lippert’s ex–wife!”

“Two men are buying back the company for her! Mr. Lippert was vying for his current

flame’s smile, and he lost. But how does he feel about his ex–wife’s dramatic return?”

Whispers and speculations filled the air as everyone’s gaze fell upon the man of the hour.

Ludwik’s gaze was deep and detached as he stared at the woman on stage.

It was the same face, breathtakingly beautiful, but he no longer knew her.

She was like an exquisite, venomous swan.

His fingers tightened, and his eyes narrowed with a predatory gleam, revealing nothing of

his inner thoughts.

As Bryce and Orion joined Whitney on the podium, the crowd watched in disbelief. They

were two of Banyan City’s most eligible bachelors, now signing a check in public for

Whitney.

She instantly became the center of attention.

Elaine nearly bit her lip in frustration. This wench had returned and immediately stole her

spotlight.

Especially the dark look on Ludwik’s face, the attention he was giving that woman!

In a panic, she tugged at Ludwik’s hand, her voice quivering. “Ludwik, you promised Skye

Gem

Ltd. would be mine…

Ms. Valentine seems unapologetic about hitting me. Is she making such a public spectacle

to target you, to embarrass you in front of everyone?”

Her insinuations snapped Ludwik back to reality, his demeanor turning icy.

At this moment, the auctioneer was about to hand over the contract. Whitney, flanked by

two men, flashed Bryce a sweet smile.

A wave of displeasure surged through Ludwik. He stood up, his voice dark and formidable.

“Hold on!”

At Ludwik’s interjection, the auctioneer’s hand trembled, awaiting the approach of the

stately

man.

Whitney’s gaze steadied, indifferent to his presence.

“Which auction house are you from? I’m claiming Skye Gem Ltd. for my fiancée!

Three years ago, this woman voluntarily relinquished her rights to Skye Gem Ltd. due to

mismanagement. She has no right to reclaim it now. Inform your superiors.”

His words were terse, his authority oppressive.

Mr. Lippert had long been a legend in Banyan City, his ruthless tactics feared by many.

The auctioneer bowed his head. “Mr. Lippert, please discuss this further with our

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management.”

“I’ve paid fair and square, Mr. Lippert. What, you can simply take what you want by

force?” Whitney’s voice was mocking, her gaze challenging.

Ludwik finally turned his piercing eyes upon her charming, smiling face.

Disgust flickered across his features, indifferent to her provocations. “Ms. Valentine, you

assaulted my fiancée in the restroom. Now, apologize to her!”

Whitney’s glance swept over Elaine, who stood smugly nearby.

She took a step towards Ludwik, “Ms. Valentine? Mr. Lippert, we were married. Isn’t it a bit

cold to be so formal? Did you witness the alleged assault? Any evidence?”

Her bright eyes and pearly teeth were disarming as she drew near, her fragrance teasing

his

senses.

Ludwik’s breath hitched, not expecting her to bring up their past in public. She had

changed and become reckless, shameless.

And yet, her brazenness was as infuriating as it was bewitching.

“Ms. Valentine, do you think you can get away with hitting me just because there are no

cameras in the restroom?

Three years ago, you betrayed Ludwik, and now you’re flaunting your new relationships.

Please stop using Ludwik to gain attention. He is my future husband, and I won’t allow you

to overstep your bounds!”

Elaine approached, her voice soft and vulnerable yet laden with implications.

The crowd glanced at Elaine’s bruised face, then recalled the scandalous video of Whitney

and Bryce from three years ago.

Now, with Bryce and Orion by her side, the past seemed to be repeating itself…

Elaine stirred the pot with a gleam in her eye. “Ms. Valentine, marriages should end as

amicably as they begin. I mean, your fling with Bryce is one thing, but knowing full well

the rivalry between Ludwik and Orion, you still prance into the party on Orion’s arm. I can

only wonder what sort of deal you’ve struck to be so favored by him. But my heart aches

for Ludwik. I hate to see you hurt him like this, to disgust him!”

Her every word was laced with concern, playing the part of the doting fiancée to

perfection.

The crowd’s gaze shifted to Elaine, filled with sympathy.

And then, when they looked at Whitney, their earlier admiration was replaced with

contempt.

“Elaine’s right; I had almost forgotten. She’s been notorious for years, a man–eater, and

now she seems to have latched onto Orion.”

“Bryce is just another fish she’s reeled in, huh? A regular femme fatale. I wonder how

Bryce

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stomachs it.”

“Ha! Now I get why two men are bankrolling her–clearly, she’s been working that body

hard to please them! Playing house with two husbands.”

These words made Ludwik frown, his gaze dark and stormy.

Elaine suppressed her smile, feigning concern. “Ludwik, did I misspeak? Seeing her

cozying up to Orion made me so angry on your behalf. Your dignity means a lot to me.”

Her words seemed foolish but endearing to the men listening.

Ludwik’s momentary pause was cold and fleeting. He glared at Whitney. “Do you have

anything to say in your defense? The bruises on Elaine’s face are proof enough of your

violence. I don’t care about your sordid plans tonight or who you’ve been canoodling with.

If you don’t apologize to Elaine properly, you can kiss Skye Gem Ltd. goodbye!”

Bryce could not stand by and watch.

However, Orion, ever the instigator, held him back with a smirk.

Whitney had remained silent, biding her time, perhaps. She was waiting for Elaine to finish

rattling like a machine gun and for the attacks on herself to pause.

Indeed, Whitney had been cornered, the crowd ready to push her head down in apology to

‘sweet‘ Elaine.

But Whitney just smirked, pulling out an object and locking eyes with Ludwik. “Who owes

whom an apology? Well, that remains to be seen, doesn’t it?”

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