Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

“Who’s this nemesis of yours?” He took a sip.

“Imperial Gem Corporation’s obnoxious boss!”

His eyes darkened, “What beef does he have with you?”

“It’s an old family feud, a cutthroat business rivalry! You into business? If not, you wouldn’t understand,”

The assistant behind the boss stifled a laugh. The lady sure spoke her mind.

His eyes playful, L asked coldly, “Does your nemesis even take you seriously?”

“He said I have a small chest. That’s a grudge I won’t even let go!”

His gaze trailed down to the base of her neck. He frowned, failing to remember, and slowly said, “So he did, but haven’t you grown bigger?”

Whitney suddenly crossed her arms, her face turning red, “L, Whose side are you on?”

The assistant thought, “What an extremely interesting question.”

Elegantly taking a bite of spaghetti, he crossed his legs. “Don’t worry about the painting.”

“Why not?”

“Imperial Gem’s Mr. Lippert isn’t fond of landscape paintings.”

Whitney’s eyes sparkled. “You’re guessing? That’s what I thought, too! A man that handsome couldn’t possibly have such an old soul as to like landscape paintings, right? I’ll let you in on a secret. That creep likes young girls!”

The assistant twitched, glancing at the boss.

Noticing the man’s suddenly grim expression, Whitney was puzzled, “What’s the matter, Mr. L?”

He narrowed his cool eyes, “You could try a different approach to win him over.”

དེ་རི

Chapter 28

“How so?”

Your sign–in rewar. Come to claim your free coins.

“Come here.” He beckoned with a finger.

Suspicious, Whitney approached, her clean, soft nightgown revealing a slender waist as he pulled her into his

embrace.

She gasped, landing on his lap, his muscular physique solid and powerful.

Suddenly close in his arms, Whitney squirmed uncomfortably. He held down her struggling hands, his voice sinfully low, “There are a few ways a woman can please a man. Which do you think?”

Whitney caught on, her brows furrowed, “You mean I should seduce my nemesis? He can get lost; besides, I wouldn’t betray you.”

He raised an eyebrow. Whether he was pleased or cold was unknown. “You are quite loyal to me.”

“We have an agreement.”

“Shall we practice?” He suggested, seducing the young woman with his mature charm.

“Practice what?”

“Charm a man,” he murmured, his breath warming the delicate skin below her earlobe.

Whitney’s cheeks flushed a deep pink as his gaze darkened like ink, his large hand settling firmly on the small of her waist. He coached in a low voice, “To charm a man, you need to be soft–soft in your demeanor, tone, and movements.”

“How do I… be soft?” Whitney felt as if she were intoxicated, not by wine but by his intoxicating presence. How else could she explain following his lead so willingly?

The next moment, she felt weightless, gently lifted and placed on the tabletop.

Chapter 29

The plates were just beside her, and towering above was a man of statuesque stature.

exuded a warmth that seemed to scorch her

he leaned down, bringing his handsome lips close to her ear. His cheek brushed against her hair, hovering just an inch from her

with her? Whitney felt like she was running out of breath, her face blushing furiously as she clutched his chiseled arm, her heartbeat

rising

felt like a

looked triumphant, his eyes revealing

teasing, Whitney refused to be outdone. She straightened her back, deliberately draping her hands around his

man’s chiseled jaw,

she drew near, she did not

she heard

her eyes provocatively challenging him, “So, Sir, are you feeling a bit breathless?”

breath heavy. His chest heaved with a dangerous edge. “Quite the quick learner!

he took control of her chin and brought his lips down to

S G B F

went blank,

over hers, not letting

were tinged with red, staring at her flushed face for a moment before he turned

Whitney heard the sound of running water in

she realized that he had taken the time to set her down

crimson face,

How had it turned into a kiss? She hurriedly began to clear the tableware, trying to calm herself, but

Could it be…

flushed even

and both times, she had been too busy

man’s flirting game a

burrowed under her covers, thanking her lucky stars

Whitney woke up with heavy eye

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15:01

tie, Madein?”

gone

around to tie

stand on tiptoes, and she looped the tie around his neck, knotting it tightly, her

and headed downstairs, muttering, “I have to travel for work. I’ll deal with you when I

nearby, blushed at the sight, and Whitney’s face

out to her, inviting her down for breakfast, but she

growled, hunger striking quickly now that she was pregnant. Whitney opened the curtains to see if the man had

figure caught Whitney’s eye in the car,

face, but her silhouette was unmistakably voluptuous. She wore a tight

had playfully knotted, the woman easily

He did not refuse.

they drove

the previous tenderness on her face

secretary? Unlikely, a secretary would not act so

Who was she?

felt ridiculous for

all, she and this man were married only by agreement because of the sudden arrival of the child, and he

normal for him to have had a girlfriend before?

all, the deal was just for a year. Maybe when it ended, he would

but her

her last night if that was the

the game, with many women at

felt like she had been doused

think he was a good person

given her been enough? After experiencing all that

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15:01

who was already dressed in a shirt, reaching for his tie. He glanced at her with an air of noble

curved his lips and said, “What do we have here? A little panda?

your own business, Whitney

tossing his tie into her hands and standing tall before her, “Hanging around to tie my tie,

wondered, “Has he gone blind at

tiptoes, and she looped the tie around his neck, knotting

muttering, “I have to travel for work. I’ll deal

nearby, blushed at the sight, and Whitney’s face turned even redder as she ducked back into

inviting her down for breakfast, but

to see if the man had left; she would head down to eat once he

caught Whitney’s eye in the car,

seat, a mass of curly hair obscuring her face, but her silhouette was unmistakably voluptuous. She wore a tight red dress that was both understated and