Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 253
“Nothing... Just some work stuff bothering me,” Ludwik said hastily, covering up his unease.
Elaine eyed him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. However, he had not been able to perform for three years, so she did not
doubt that he hadn’t been fooling around.
There was no way another woman could arouse him!
She flashed a casual smile. “Here, try the steak I grilled and this bottle of Lafite I had airmailed first thing this morning. Give it a
taste, Ludwik.”
She perched seductively on the edge of the dining table, her legs lightly encircling his, her foot playfully stroking him in a
flirtatious gesture.
Ludwik felt uncomfortable, his brow furrowing as he forced down the steak.
Eating felt like chewing wax; he glanced at the red wine, then at Elaine’s purposeful gaze, and declined. “I have work later. No
drink for me.”
Elaine bit her lip in frustration. When she was informed that Ludwik was in perfect health, she was overjoyed. She had set her
sights on winning him over tonight!
Taking a sip of wine, she straightened up, wrapping her arms around Ludwik’s neck with a sultry whisper, “Then I guess I’ll just
have to feed you...”
As her lips approached, Ludwik firmly grasped her chin, his eyes chilling.
“Mmm...” Elaine’s eyes snapped open to his cold stare, shivering before she adopted a wounded tone. “Ludwik, how can we talk
about marriage and kids if you’re like this? All of Banyan City knows we’re getting married in a month, and my parents are
expecting grandchildren. I want to be a happy bride.”
He didn’t play into her coquettish behavior but instead asked, “Why was my medical information sent to you in real time?”
Elaine hesitated, having forgotten Ludwik’s disdain for control. She had touched a nerve but played the aggrieved party. “I was
just too concerned about you, Ludwik.”

“It seems to me you’re just too eager to have kids,” Ludwik said coolly.
Her eyes welled up. “Are you blaming me? I just don’t want to end up only getting pregnant at such an old age. I really want to be
intimate with you, to strengthen our love.”
This woman had sacrificed a lot for him, and Ludwik’s gaze softened. Cupping her face, he said resignedly, “Why the tears? I’ll
get better. Just give me some time. And if you’re in a hurry...”
He lowered his voice with a frown. “You could buy some... toys.”
Elaine’s face flushed with a mix of guilt and embarrassment. She had already bought several toys, but they could only quench
her thirst temporarily! There was a man right here!
Chapter 221
She felt near madness but would never let him see her as an indecent woman.
Pretending to be bashful, she snuggled into his embrace. “What are you talking about? That’s not my point. You know I only love
and want you, Ludwik. I’m willing to wait for you to recover.” “Then let’s leave it for tonight. I’m really not in the mood. Sorry to
make you wait.” Ludwik took the opportunity to sidestep the issue.
His tone was cool and distant.
Elaine felt like she was choking on her frustration. It looked like tonight was another bust. He seemed to be resisting her more
and more. She could not tell if he genuinely lacked interest in women or if he was actually unwell.
Swallowing her pride, she angled for some consolation, eyes calculating as she held him. “Then you owe me, Ludwik.”

“What do you want?” To Ludwik, as long as it was not sex, anything else was fine.
Over the past three years, he had been indulgent and generous with Elaine in material aspects.
The woman knew this was his way of compensating.
She accepted gleefully, often initiating requests herself, knowing that they served as proof to the world of Ludwik’s indulgence.
This time. Elaine’s request came with a sly smile. “I heard that Skye Gem Ltd.’s assets are being auctioned off?”
Ludwik was taken aback but indifferent. “Yeah.”
After that woman had run away three years ago, leaving no trace, they had not finalized their divorce, so Skye Gem Ltd. was
legally his. He had not cared to deal with it and left it to the
courts.
When Bryce was released, he tried to interfere, but Ludwik cut off his capital chain right away.
The court had frozen Skye Gem Ltd. for three years, and now its assets were up for auction. If not for Elaine bringing it up,
Ludwik would not even remember it.
Elaine’s businesslike proposal was, “I want you to buy it for me. Not for any other reason, but I’ve got my eye on the Skye Gem
brand. You know I’m a talented designer, and I can run a company. I want to bring in some extra business for you.”
“I don’t need you to bring in extra business. You couldn’t spend all my money in five lifetimes.”

Elaine leaped into his arms, saying understandingly. “After all, it’s Danny’s mother’s company. You may hate Whitney, but I want
to do something for Danny.”
“You’re too kind,” Ludwik’s eyes softened, “I’ll make sure Danny gets along with you.”
Out of sight. Elaine’s lips curled into a smirk.
Of course, she was not doing this for that little brat; she wanted all of Banyan City to see how much Ludwik pampered her. With
just a word from her, his ex-wife’s company would be bought and gifted to her.
What did it matter if Whitney was dead? Running her company was a victory for Elaine!
Plus, she would score points with Ludwik; now, he would make sure Danny respected her.
With feigned sweetness, Elaine suggested, “I want to take Danny to the auction tomorrow night. He has a connection with Skye
Gem. And Ludwik, Danny’s nearly four years old, he should ses more of the world, or he’ll grow up even more isolated and
introverted.”
Ludwik frowned, “Danny has never been in the public eye, and he’s fragile!”
Elaine was persuasive. “We’re about to get married. Danny can’t stay hidden forever. We can travel discreetly, and I promise to
take good care of the little guy. You can’t keep him in am ivory tower forever.”
Ludwik wondered if protecting Danny too much from a young age had contributed to his isolation.
He pondered for a moment, then said, “Your way, then.”
Elaine’s lips curled in triumph. This was all part of her mother’s strategy: bringing Daniel Lippert to the public eye for the first
time, and Ludwik buying Skye Gem Ltd. for her. The significance was profound, solidifying her position as Mrs. Lippert in the
eyes of high society..
Everything was in preparation for their smooth marriage.
The following day, in the evening.
The grand auction of Skye Gem’s assets was the talk of Banyan City, set to take place at the bustling convention center
downtown.

Orion, ever the gentleman, had sent over a tuxedo and arranged for a chauffeur.
Whitney smirked at his thoughtful arrangements, applying a touch of makeup to accentuate her features before descending the
staircase to the sleek sedan waiting outside.
Meanwhile, a sneaky little figure with a tiny suitcase emerged outside the entrance of a posh high-rise.
Sammy, peeking from beneath a pair of kiddie sunglasses, scouted the area and spotted his mother getting into a luxury car – a
shiny Lamborghini, no less!
Where on earth was Mommy headed? After all, it took him ages to track her down to Harmonia Country using his trusty GPS
watch!
Yet, she left before he had even exchanged a word with her!
Sammy dared not call her, fearing a scolding that might send him six feet under. Instead, he
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decided to see what she was up to.
Pouting, he stowed his suitcase with the concierge, hailed a cab, and said, “Hey, Mister, follow that Lamborghini up ahead!”
“Good heavens, kiddo, you’re what, three or four? You know what a Lamborghini is? Smarty pants like you shouldn’t be out here
alone. Doesn’t your mom worry?”
The driver was flabbergasted, torn between calling the cops and minding his own business.
With a swift glance, Sammy whipped out a wad of cash. “Mister, let’s make a deal, no chit-chat, and I’ll make it worth your while.”
The driver, taken aback by the child’s angelic grin, muttered to himself and started the engine. Kids these days, growing up way
too fast, with brains to match.