Love beyond the mask1-100

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Chapter_52

In the backstage corridor, the man appeared to be enjoying a cigarette. Was he a smoker too, like 17?

Tiana nudged Whitney. “Go on, give him a hearty thanks. I’ll keep watch for you.”

Whitney shot her an annoyed look but hurried over to him.

“Mr. Lippert,” she called out in the empty hallway, trying her hand at flattery for the first time. “Mr. Lippert?”

The tall man turned around. His handsome face was unlike any other, and a hint of mischief danced in his deep, intense eyes.

“Not calling me a jerk or a nemesis anymore?”

A wave of embarrassment washed over Whitney. He had done her a huge favor, yet his tone remained snarky. She looked up at him with sincere gratitude.

“Mr. Lippert, I honestly didn’t expect your help today, especially given how strongly I felt about you before. I never imagined you were the type to step in and help others. I may have had you all wrong…”

“Just a little wrong?” he teased, raising an eyebrow.

“A lot wrong,” Whitney conceded, looking down.

He chuckled, stepping closer to her.

The petite woman continued her apology. “I was angry with you for being swayed by Monica’s bribes, but it turns out you kept the painting as evidence. You’re clever and wise. I’m sorry for my misunderstanding of you, Mr. Lippert. Words can hardly express my gratitude.”

She meant it, truly.

But he exhaled a breath towards her, his voice teasing. “Then how do you plan to show your gratitude? Actions speak louder than words, right?”

His suggestive gaze sent a shiver through her.

He took a step forward, and Whitney found herself cornered against the wall by his imposing figure. The shadow cast by his tall frame enveloped her, the air between them thick with unspoken intimacy.

Whitney’s cheeks flushed, and she protested, “Mr. Lippert, I’m having a serious conversation with you.”

“Am I not being serious?” He tilted his head, feigning solemnity. “Shouldn’t you be a bit softer, a little more grateful to your benefactor?”

“You should keep a respectful distance, though. I’m a married woman. And I still don’t understand why you suddenly helped me instead of adopting a hostile attitude. Can you tell me why, Mr. Lippert?” She tried to maintain some space, placing her fists defensively in front of her.

Ludwik glanced at her small fists and raised an eyebrow. “Me, hostile towards you? Seems to me it was you who kept picking fights with Imperial Gem Corporation, biting off more than you could chew.”

“You!” Whitney’s face scrunched in anger, but then she had an epiphany. “Oh, so Mr. Lippert knows who I am! The CEO of Skye Gem Ltd., your competitor. Remember?”

A brief flicker of annoyance flashed in his eyes, but he said nothing in response.

Whitney’s suspicion grew stronger. This arrogant man did indeed know her identity.

Her lips curled into a slight smirk. So why did you decide to help me?

Assistant Felix, who had been squeezed into a corner nearby, struggled to contain his amusement. After all, who else but the boss would stand up for his fiery wife when she’s wronged—even if he had to keep his identity a secret?

Frustrated by his silence, Whitney pressed on, “Mr. Lippert, we are competitors, and yet you used that $26 million painting to help me. You don’t have some ulterior motive, do you?”

He played along, trapping her against the wall with his strong arm, a teasing smile on his lips. “Yeah, I have no interest in those drab landscape paintings.”

“What?”

Leaning in closer, he whispered provocatively, “But what if I had a little interest in you? Would you be willing to… indulge me?”

His voice was seductive, and his charm irresistible.

Whitney pushed him away. When her hands brushed against his chest, the sensation of familiarity unsettled her.

“Mr. Lippert, you can’t use a favor to coerce me! I’m married. Even though you saved me today, I won’t give myself to you. I am loyal to my husband!”

For some reason, he burst into laughter.

Seeing his handsome face light up with amusement left Whitney dumbfounded. Why was he laughing?

Then, unexpectedly, he pinched her cheek, his eyes playful. “Are you really that devoted to your husband?”

“Yes!” Whitney replied, growing more irritated.

He leaned in, his hands gripping her delicate shoulders. His eyebrows lifted in a teasing gesture. “What if I insisted on a kiss?”

“No way!” She immediately covered her mouth.

He didn’t move, amusement written all over his face as he watched her reaction. Mockingly, he said, “I’d really like to tempt you. Are you sure you wouldn’t have an affair with me?”

Whitney’s cheeks flushed with anger, and she blurted out, “Not a chance. Unless I’m divorced.”

Assistant Felix was taken aback.

Ludwik’s expression darkened instantly. His grip on her face tightened. “Thinking of divorce, are you? Is your husband not treating you well?”

Why was he so upset? Wasn’t he supposed to be happy?

Confused, Whitney pushed him away and stepped back. “It’s none of your business, Mr. Lippert.”

The assistant knew the boss was swallowing his frustration.

Ludwik’s gaze grew troubled.

Whitney waved her hand dismissively. “I was thinking of inviting you to dinner, Mr. Lippert. But it’s late, and I need to share the good news with my husband. As for my gratitude, I’ll find another day to thank you.”

Suddenly, his mood lightened, and he seemed oddly pleased. “You’re really going home to take care of your husband?”

“Of course!” Whitney nodded, feigning seriousness, eager to escape.

She quickly turned and ran, grabbing Tiana and rushing off.

“You guys were so cozy! Mr. Lippert seems to have fallen for you. If you’d stayed another ten minutes, I’d have your ship name ready, and poor L’s grave would be covered in green grass…”

Whitney, fearing Ludwik might hear, clamped her hand over Tiana’s mouth.

In the corridor, Ludwik had indeed overheard. Certain words heated him up as he loosened his tie.

Yet, deep in his thoughts, he lingered on Whitney’s question—did he remember her?

For Ludwik, his status was far from ordinary. In the eyes of the elite, he had never truly taken the female CEO of Skye Gem Ltd. seriously. He had heard of Whitney—the woman who was quite adept at business. But who was Ludwik? A titan of industry, he had seen the young lady at a gala once—beautiful as a spring night, clever and composed, yet with an arrogance in her eyes. She was a young upstart, too full of herself for his liking, and he had a distaste for such brazen young women.

Between Imperial Gem Corporation and Skye Gem Ltd., there were old scores to settle from the previous generation. This brash woman had the audacity to compete with him for contracts, to snatch away business. Despite never winning, she kept provoking him. He had never shown his face, simply watching the spectacle unfold.

Who would have thought that, in the end, he would be caught up in a scandal, having gotten her pregnant?

Nolan had once asked him why he wore a mask.

At first, he just wanted to appease his mother, with Whitney unaware of his identity, to get through the year without unnecessary trouble.

Now…

His fingers idly traced the memory of her scent left on his skin. That light, tantalizing itch crept into his heart, gnawing at him. Teasing her seemed to be quite interesting.

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