Love Beyond the Mask

Chapter 9

Ludwik shot him a piercing look and ordered Parker Doonan, “Get the manager to wrap her up in some

clothes and make it quick!”

With his gold–rimmed glasses, Parker chuckled mischievously and went off to handle the situation.

“Ludwik, you seem reluctant to let go. I’ve heard you can still do it during pregnancy. Do you need a

cold shower?” Nolan teased, glancing at his waist.

Ludwik gave him a swift look and strode toward the bathroom, his tie whipping through the air and

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Nolan by the neck.

“Ow, Ludwik, my bad! But when have you worn that mask last? Used to be for warding off the ladies,

and now? Who can’t you face?”

Parker returned, finding Whitney still in the doorway. Her phone call with Tiana revealed her fury.

“President of Imperial Gem Corporation? Just a show–off! I Had to change just to see him, some lolita–

obsessed freak; I’m done buttering him up; we’re enemies for good…”

Her voice drifted in, causing Ludwik’s lips to twitch, his gaze growing inscrutable.

Parker glanced at Ludwik, then told Nolan with interest, “If Ludwik’s wearing a mask, there must be

someone he can’t face, a reason he can’t share, a unique secret.”

“What kind of secret?” Nolan wondered.

Whitney had changed back into her own clothes, still grumbling.

Tiana cut her off, “What does your enemy look like?”

Whitney had to admit, “Even more beautiful than me.”

Tiana let out a squawk. “More beautiful than you? That man must be godly handsome!”

Whitney pouted. “It might not even be Mr. Lippert. I asked him several times, and he never answered. I

hope he’s hideous beyond belief…”

Suddenly, she bumped into someone from behind. Whitney turned to see the mask and nearly dropped

her phone in fright.

“Mr. L, what are you doing here?” She asked, seeing his dark expression.

Whitney could not believe where she was–the dim lighting, the clinking glasses, the low hum of jazz in

the background. It felt like a scene straight out of an old speakeasy. And to think, she had just been in a

close encounter with a man she did not even know. She immediately hung her head, her cheeks

flushed with guilt.

“Who do you wish looked hideous beyond belief?”

“Definitely not you,” Whitney said, trying to smooth things with a coy smile.

The man fixed his gaze on her, his presence imposing. “Who gave you the audacity to come to a place

like this?”

“Sir, we agreed not to meddle in each other’s affairs. I have business here; please, go about yours.”

Whitney feared his authority and sought to make a quick exit. But as she turned to leave, she spotted

Monica slipping into a private room down the corridor.

And not long after, a man followed her in.

It was not Simon.

Whitney narrowed her eyes. The Valentine family had been holding her down for too long, and she was

thirsty for revenge. She could not afford to miss any opportunity that might give her leverage.

“I really must be going, Sir, I have matters to attend to,” Whitney said hurriedly.

She made her way to the secluded room at the end of the hallway, but the door was locked.

Just as she wondered what to do, a tall figure approached from behind. The man casually used a card

to swipe. the door open.

And to her surprise, the door unlocked.

Whitney was stunned. She looked at his chiseled features hidden behind a mask and speculated, “Mr.

L, are