Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 129
“Fire Elaine, send her back to her hometown of Emerald City. I can’t rest easy with her around, she’s too big of a threat to me.”
Plus, Elaine would cause a lot of trouble to Valerie, too.
Whitney was determined to get rid of her. She was unsure what L’s original plans for Elaine were, but untangling Elaine from the
company and the family would be no small feat.
Thus, she pushed L to cut the Gordian knot.
Ludwik’s brow was furrowed as he looked at her with piercing intensity, his hand gently touching her forehead.
His voice was deep and resonant, “So, she leaves, and you stay. I can only choose one, not even work–related contact, is that
it?”
Whitney pressed her lips and silently nodded.
With a sharp glance, Ludwik pulled her away, his voice icy, “If I haven’t given you peace of mind, that’s my oversight. We’ll do it
your way.”
His decisiveness took aback Whitney. This man was responsible, and while he might face pressure, she still wanted to play the
‘villain‘ this time.
Ludwik, with no further ado, called Elaine out.
Elaine had been cooped up in her apartment, watched over by bodyguards for two days, unaware of the outside world. Now, she
was being escorted to the lobby of United Realty Corporation.
Ludwik wanted to see her! A flicker of joy danced in her heart.
Last night, Ashton fought with Ludwik and came to tell her that Ludwik and Whitney had a falling out.
Good, Whitney could not handle being the other woman. Now that Ludwik had summoned her, perhaps there would be a
temporary penalty, but as long as Whitney backed off, she would quickly reclaim Ludwik’s heart.
She had burned her bridges, and it was the right move.

“Bro,” Elaine masked her elation and entered the conference room with a pitiable air.
Ludwik was sitting behind a stack of documents, his voice cold, “Elaine, it’s time we settled things once and for all.”
His words were not reassuring, and Elaine felt a surge of panic as she saw Whitney walking into the room.
This sent a chill down Elaine’s spine.
Why was Whitney here? Had she not left Ludwik?
“Surprised to see me?” Whitney’s gaze was icy as she sat beside the man and naturally took his arm. This possessive gesture
made Elaine’s heart sink further.

As expected, Ludwik slid the documents toward her, “Elaine, you’re relieved from your position as vice president of the main
company. Here’s your financial settlement. Take it and go home. I’ll announce that our
engagement has been called off long ago, and you’ll have no ties with me anymore.”
Elaine, in disbelief, looked up sharply, “Bro, why? I only love you. Is that also a mistake? This isn’t your idea, is it? Whitney made
you do this, right?”
“It was my decision. You made mistakes!” Ludwik’s voice was frosty.
Tears quickly fell as she shook her head.
Elaine felt a numbness in her scalp, unable to face his icy “Have you considered how you’ll explain this to your family? Do you
realize the risks you’re taking? You need my status! What can Whitney give you?”

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She stared at the distinguished man, speaking velled truths only they understood.
His eyes turned colder. “That’s not for you to worry about. Go home.”
“I won’t!” Elaine’s desperation surged. She could not return; Ludwik was the man the Bartels family was desperate to cling to. If
she went back, another Bartels girl would come for him. Why should she surrender
him?
With this thought, Elaine quickly considered her options and grasped Ludwik’s hand, pleading pitifully, “Bro, I built the branch
office from the ground up. You can’t be so heartless. I don’t want any more money; I’ve helped you so much in the past. For old
times‘ sake, let me stay at the branch office, please?”
Ludwik frowned; the branch office was indeed Elaine’s making, and her wretched crying made him uneasy.
Indeed, Elaine had helped him during his difficulties.
Whitney watched as L hesitated.
Elaine, dropping all pretense, turned her pleading gaze to Whitney, “Whitney, I promise to let go of Bro. Can’t you show me some
mercy?”
Her words put Whitney on the spot.
Ludwik looked to Whitney as if awaiting her decision.

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Whitney was no fool. If she insisted on sending Elaine away today, she might bo
He seemed inclined to be lenient with Elaine.
seen as heartless in L’s eyes.
With a forced smile, she said, “Elaine, if you’re willing to be L’s sister and stay at the branch office, that’s fine. You said you’d let
go of L, and I sincerely hope you move on, maybe find a boyfriend. L, as Elaine’s brother, why don’t you introduce her to some
eligible bachelors?”

Ludwik fixed his gaze on Elaine, saying, “Go to the branch office and start a new life. I promised to find you a suitor, and I’ll keep
an eye out.”
A sharp pain crossed Elaine’s heart, and her eyes bore into Whitney with cold fury.
This wretch, playing the victim, was forcing Ludwik’s hand to find her a boyfriend.
With an engagement looming, it would be improper for her to approach Ludwik openly.
Elaine bitterly agreed. “I accept Bro’s decision. I’ll go to the branch office.”
Without another word, Ludwik instructed, “Go to your office and pack your things. Leave the vice president’s nameplate. The
financial settlement is still yours.”
He would not shortchange her, at least not in terms of money.
Elaine clenched her teeth and left in resentment, heading to the vice president’s office where Felix had already boxed her
belongings.
She clutched the cardboard box, having no choice but to set down the tightly gripped nameplate. Under the murmurs of the
entire office staff, she made an awkward exit from the company.
Years at Ludwik’s company had earned her a prestigious position, second only to one. Her close professional relationship with
Ludwik had always been her pride and joy.
But now, Whitney had ruined it all..

She had thought she could embarrass Whitney into resigning, but that wench, despite the scarlet letter of being the ‘other
woman, had used Ludwik’s guilt to oust her completely!
Pure, unadulterated rage seethed within Elaine’s eyes.
This was not over. She quickly got into her car and instructed Jaxon to book a flight. “Back to Emperor City.”
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Barely minutes after Elaine departed from the office, Ludwik’s phone began to ring incessantly.
Elaine’s dismissal was big news; the Lipperts were all watching closely.
Whitney looked on worriedly as he took the calls.
Shortly after, with a stern face, he instructed Felix to take her home and admonished her. “Don’t leave the house for the next few
days!”
“L is something going to happen to you?” Whitney’s brow furrowed with concern and guilt, suspecting it was a call from his family.
With him ousting Elaine and publicly calling off their engagement, he was likely facing
turmoil.
Ludwik helped her into the car without a word, then drove off in another vehicle.
At Emperor City.
A torrential downpour enveloped the night as Elaine arrived at the grand Bartels Mansion and stormed into he mother’s room.
Delphine rose from her luxurious chaise, casting a glance at her daughter. “The news from the Banyan City company has
reached your father’s ears, and he’s already gone to confront the Lipperts about Ludwik’s mess
Chapter 130