Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 115
After hanging up the call, Ludwik’s fingers released the grasp on the blanket, and his taut muscles seemed to relax instantly
Felix watched him silently, noticing that the man seemed to let out a sigh of relief.
His lips twitched in amusement. Mr. Lippert’s face might as well have had it written all over it: “Thank goodness my wife still
wants to talk to me.”
He had been enduring all day, yet he still played the cool card and ordered Whitney around. It was pretty amusing.
Whitney hurried back to the hospital room, grocery bags in hand
As her hand pushed the door open, the man’s gaze instantly shifted away, his face turning cold.
“Hmph,” he snorted with a low, chilly hum.
Whitney’s heart fluttered with insecurity, uncertain if the bodyguard had spilled the beans about her going undercover. She held
up the groceries as a peace offering. “You hate hospital food, right? I went to the market and got these to cook for you. That’s
why I was late”
Ludwik narrowed his eyes suspiciously. She was visibly upset with him this morning for not trusting her, and now she was being
so nice?
“Stand still. What have you been up to behind my back?” His gaze was sharp as a scalpel.
Whitney’s shoulders slumped. Rather than wait for the bodyguard’s report, she rushed to confess in a low voice, “The police
contacted me to go undercover for a bit. I figured you and I are in danger as long as the criminals are out there. I thought it’s
better to...
“Whitney!” Ludwik’s chest heaved with concern, immediately checking her over, “Damn it, are you hurt?”
His urgency and worry made Whitney feel a sweet warmth in her heart. She shook her head honestly and even twirled to show
she was unharmed. Tm perfectly fine.”
She paused, then said, “But...”

“But?” Ludwik’s voice was icy, demanding that she finish her sentence.
That was when Whitney put down the groceries and stepped closer to him. She stood up straight, facing the man whose chilly
gaze was scrutinizing her, and admitted with a hint of fear, “But, I happened to run into Mr. Lutz. He thought I was really in
danger and came to my rescue. He got hurt, so Tiana and I took him to surgery. It was just a minor injury.”
Since she had already seen Elaine’s assistant, she figured it was better to come clean herself.
Now, she was changing her tactics completely.
The previous misunderstanding was because she had clumsily tried to smooth things over, which only played into Elaine’s
hands, leading to an even bigger misunderstanding.

If Elaine was going to play dirty, Whitney would leave no room for her to maneuver. She and L needed to build trust; the more
she shared, the better–he was not one to be handled with force.
But as her words dropped, silence fell, and the man’s face grew stormier by the second.
“Ha, he saved you, so you spent the afternoon offering yourself to him? Playing the damsel in distress, right?” Ludwik mocked
her bitterly, anger brewing.
“Ugh.” Whitney was not hurt by his words; instead, she retorted with unusual calmness, teasing him, “Look at you, getting jealous
over nothing... Don’t misunderstand. I recorded my conversation with him to prove my
Chapter 115
Innocence. Listen for yourself.”

She reluctantly took out her phone and played the recording for him.
Of course, the part where Bryce confessed his feelings was strictly off–limits for this jealous lion.
After listening. Ludwik’s expression softened, though still frosty. The little fool had cleared things up well enough.
She had even told Bryce that she was pregnant, which Ludwik could tolerate.
Which high–profile man would covet a pregnant woman?
Whitney watched as he pursed his lips and put away his phone, then she prodded his solid arm, “Are we good now, Mr. Jealous?
I just did what any decent person would do and got him medical help. Please put yourself in my shoes.”
Ha
you still have a lot of business to discuss with him, flirting over dinner tables”
Whitney sighed in resignation. If only to appease him for now, she silently rolled her eyes in her mind, then spoke with a touch of
sadness, “Fine, I’ll compromise. If you can’t accept me working with him, I’m willing to give up Skye Gem’s gemstone deal for
you, even though it means paying a hefty breach of contract fee
Ludwik’s gaze faltered slightly, considering her small, dejected face. He had not expected her to go this far to alleviate his
doubts.
It made him seem rather petty.
Even Felix, standing nearby, felt Whitney had been accommodating enough to Mr. Lippert, who was indeed too petty.

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Ludwik’s lips became stiff, and seeing her look so downcast, he huffed, “You’re sensible enough. I handle your gemstone issue.
Whatever breach fee he wants, I’ll pay double! And as for Claire’s design,”
“That’s non–negotiable,” Whitney interjected, her brows furrowed in businesslike determination “I personally promised that, and it
concerns my reputation as a designer.”
Ludwik’s gaze deepened but did not press her too much, “Just make sure you keep your distance from...”
“Got it, a Lutz and Perlman.” Whitney pouted as if she could recite it by heart.
Ludwik watched her, his demeanor threatening, but she quickly turned to retrieve the groceries. “Are you going to eat or not?”

“Do you only know how to cook spaghetti?” He teased with a raised eyebrow, “Can you even cook without poisoning me?”
Felix’s lips twitched.
Whitney was even more annoyed, glaring at him. “Don’t worry, I’ll add extra vinegar. It’ll suit your sour jealousy Just fine!”
Watching the little lady move skillfully into the tiny kitchen, Ludwik turned to Felix and commanded, “Help her out. Wash, chop,
and stir–fry the vegetables.”
And what, then, was Whitney supposed to do?
Felix sighed internally. Despite being an assistant, he was a man of pride. “Sir, a gentleman stays clear of the kitchen. I don’t
know how to chop vegetables,”
“I do know how to chop you, though.”
Without another word, Felix promptly entered the kitchen.
Ludwik glanced toward the kitchen, partially obscured by the suite’s partition but still within a direct line of sight to catch glimpses
of the young woman’s flitting shadow.
The man closed his eyes, his posture relaxed, his aura of intimidating nobility undiminished even in sickness
It was not about what he wore, even in a hospital gown, with a few strands of hair fathing carelessly somes his forehead, he
looked devastatingly handsome and aloof.

Elaine watched from the doorway, captivated by the man’s beauty
Ludwik had enchanted countless young women’s dreams, and in her eyes, not even Ashton compared nor
of the city’s elite. Following her mother’s arrangement, she had waited for him all these years if not for Whitney, she would have
been Mrs. Lippert by now.
Clasping her hands together, Elaine donned a mask of subservience and knocked gently on the door “Bro Castor and I have
some urgent documents that require your signature.
Ludwik opened his eyes at the mention of work and gestured for them to enter.
Elaine stepped inside, glancing around and noticing Whitney’s absence.
She walked rigidly to the side of Ludwik’s bed and handed over the documents.
Castor began to explain the contents: a proposal for a nationwide five–star hotel chain project by United Realty Corporation.
Ludwik picked up a pen and signed.
Elaine received the documents back but lingered, her concern slipping out unintentionally, Bro, I’ve heard that Whitney went
undercover for the police today to catch some criminals. It was so dangerous. Although she doesn’t like me much, I still worry
about her. Especially since she’s carrying your child”
Ludwik’s brow furrowed at the news.
Elaine glanced at Castor for support.
Castor chuckled reassuringly. “No need to fret, Elaine. Madam was rescued in the nick of time by Bryce from the Lutz Group,
right? As long as she’s safe, that’s what matters”
“Castor, if you did not see it, don’t spread rumors!” Elaine interjected quickly, “Bryce did not rescue Whitney Bro, don’t jump to
conclusions”
Chapter 116