Love Beyond the Mask

Chapter 42

Tiana chuckled lightly it’s all just a show, you know? He’s probably deliberately trying to rile you up.

Didn’t you notice how, with just a lift of his brow, Parker had everyone in the suite snuff out their

cigarettes? He’s clearly looking out for you because of your pregnancy”

Really?

Whitney had to admire Tiana’s ability to turn a dire situation into something light–hearted with her silver

tongue.

Whitney, care to join me for a game?” Parker called out.

Meanwhile, the aloof man sat on the sofa, sipping the cocktail a lovely lady had handed him, his gaze

unreadable

Feeling an irrational surge of defiance, Whitney sat and began playing cards with Parker.

By the second hand, Parker excused himself, “Bro, I’ve gotta hit the restroom. Mind stepping in for

me?” Whitney would have to be oblivious not to see through this thinly veiled excuse.

Her fingers tensed.

However, she saw the man rise gracefully and approach.

As he took his place across the table, his commanding presence made Whitney’s breath catch, as if his

very aura enveloped her.

Tiana then sneakily positioned herself behind Whitney.

As the third game started and the man laid down his cards, it was Whitney’s turn. Just as she was

about to make her move, Tiana swiftly played another card instead.

That’s a good one! Tiana said.

Whitney glanced at her hand – it was a complete setup for defeat. She glared at Tiana as if saying with

her eyes, “Are you blind?”

From then on, Tiana wreaked havoc, and Whitney could not tell if the man’s card skills were just This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

superior or if her luck had plummeted, but she kept losing miserably.

Tiana teased, “Mr. L, are you doing this on purpose? You really seem to be hard on Whitney tonight!”

“Have I been ‘hard‘ on her?” He finally looked up, directing his first glance of the evening at Whitney

His tone was cool, yet the deep timbre of his voice was unintentionally suggestive.

“Hard on me…” Whitney felt her cheeks flame at the thought.

Then, she saw Parker return and immediately declared, “I’m out.”

Tiana mocked, “You’re quitting after all those losses? Since when have I had such a loser of a friend?”

“How much did Ms. Valentine lose?” Parker picked up the ledger, an eyebrow raised, “Ms. Valentine,

you owe him a cool five million.”

What?

Whitney had not realized the stakes were so high; a million a game, and she did not have that kind of

money!

Feeling the eyes in the room on her, she turned to Tiana in panic, “This is all your fault. Do you have a

credit card on you?”

Tiana turned ruthless. “I ain’t got no money! You lost to him, so just beg your dear Mr. L for mercy.

Maybe he’ll let you off the hook.”

17-57

Whitney’s eyes, wide and watery, turned to the man.

He looked back, cold and unyielding, with no room for negotiation.

She did not want to beg, it was she who insisted on setting boundaries, and he was right to enforce

them. It stung, but she did not want to lose her dignity

“Come on, just say something nice to him,” Tiana nudged the girl forward.

Pushed in front of the man, Whitney was about to speak when another shove sent her tumbling into his

arms.

“What the hell?” She glared at her friend.

“Oops, my bad!” Tiana feigned an apology.

The man remained still, his long legs catching her in their embrace.

His presence quickly engulfed Whitney, strong and undeniable. She was transfixed by the warmth of

his chest, visible under the crisp, inviting shirt.

Stunned, their eyes met, and she seemed a little dull, with her cheeks burning red.

The dullness, distinct from her earlier defiance, was almost endearing.

He noticed her fingers clutching at his shirt, his eyes darkened slightly, and with a mocking tone, he

taunted, “Can’t seem to let go, huh? Fallen for these legs that many women have sat on?”

Snapping back to reality. Whitney’s embarrassment turned to anger as she tried to stand.

His expression darkened, but his arm subtly wrapped around her, his hand reaching forward to play a

card. What did this mean? Whitney froze in his embrace, her skin flushing with an unspoken intimacy.

Tiana’s laughter filled the room.

–

The teasing continued from the men nearby. “He sure knows how to play with a beauty in his arms, no

less. Talk about living the life!”

“Yeah, look at that confidence, unbeatable.”

“Just don’t let things get too heated, hal”

Whitney curled up in his arms, her face aflame, knowing they had the wrong idea.

Needing to use the restroom, she squirmed a little.

He looked down at her.

Too embarrassed to speak out loud in front of everyone, Whitney leaned in and whispered awkwardly,

“I need to

pee.

Direct and to the point because of her urgency, her words, especially “pee, hung in the air, resonating

in the man’s ears as he stared at her soft, flushed face.

A mischievous impulse struck him

“What was that?” He asked, pretending not to hear.

Her embarrassment intensifying, Whitney leaned even closer and hissed, “I really need to pee.”

His lips curved in amusement, and he let her go.

Whitney dashed away.

Returning from the restroom, she was

Tiana and Parker had vanished.

stunned to find the suite empty; the game was abandoned, and even

The imposing man stood by the window, a cigarette between his fingers.

He extinguished it as she approached.

“Where did everyone go?”

He approached her, his aristocratic features cool and mocking, “lan’t this your little scheme? Conspiring

with your best friend, playing the victim, the seductress… Or are you…”

He cornered her against the wall, his tone icy, “Enjoying this little cat–and–mouse game, Madam?

His sudden chill caught Whitney off guard, “Mr. L, what are you talking about?”

“Playing coy after denying me the other night, now here you are, trying to seduce me again?” his words

were laced with scorn.

Whitney realized he had misunderstood the whole evening’s events.

Her discomfort grew, matched by a cold resolve. She sidestepped his arm and explained without

warmth, “I have no plans to seduce you, Sir. I lost a competition today and was upset enough, I don’t

need to add fighting with you to my night.”

Her heart sank further.

But he heard her all wrong, thinking she was now picking a fight with him.

This clueless little thing had been irritating him for days, and now, instead of softening and coaxing, she

wanted to argue?

Suppressing his irritation, he mocked her, “Upset over a competition and taking it out on me? Isn’t

losing normal for you, especially when I coached the theme? Your youthful arrogance blinds you to the

fact that there are always better people out there. What makes you think you’re something special,

Whitney?”

Whitney stood silently momentarily, contemplating whether her confidence was mistaken for arrogance.

Did he truly understand her past?

She replied with a cool, dismissive smile, “I’m not claiming to be special, and I never said I couldn’t

lose. But, Mr. L, you’re making assumptions without seeing the whole picture. My loss wasn’t fair and

square. Of course, I didn’t expect any consolation from you.”

Feeling a sting of disappointment, Whitney decided not to dwell on the conversation. She briskly

opened the door of the suite and dashed into the elevator.

Tiana had overheard their entire exchange from where she stood.

The man inside the suite stepped out with a chilly demeanor, paused, and then, with furrowed brows,

turned to Parker. “What’s the deal with today’s jewelry competition?”

Ludwik, too upset to even attend the judges‘ panel, was naturally not in the mood for anyone to bother

him with the details.

As Parker began to speak, Tiana cut him off with a fiery urgency, “Mr. L. do you not know what happ

your wife?”

The accusation hung heavy in the air as she continued, “Today, that Monica stole her artwork, exploited

her connections to present first, leaving Whitney blindsided. The judges lashed out, accusing her of

plagiarism. Now, the whole town’s abuzz with the scandal. She’s barely holding it together, and you’re

here, giving her a hard time? Tell me, Mr. L, is that fair?”

She whispered the last word so softly it was nearly inaudible.

L’s face registered shock upon hearing the news.

Parker gestured towards the elevator, saying, “Whitney’s gone that way.”

He added, “And it’s raining outside.”

In a swift motion, L snatched Parker’s car keys and chased after Whitney into the elevator.

“is it really raining outside?” Tiana asked Parker, concern lacing her voice.

“I made it up.”

Tiana stared at the sophisticated, bespectacled man before her, “How can you be more conniving than

me?”

“It’s a guy thing,” he quipped with a devilish smirk.

Shocked, Tiana stepped back.

Whitney left the Royal One Club, aimless and alone as the night deepened and rain began to fall.

Passersby hurried along, couples shared umbrellas, and parents shielded their children from the

downpour. She, on the other hand, was alone, lacking a mother, and with a father who wished her

harm. As for a partner. She scoffed at the thought.

Squatting by a flower bed, she refreshed the news on her phone, and her screen flooded with insults.

Today marked her first major setback since her vow of vengeance. She had never shed a tear over the

Valentine family’s cruelty, but now she was on the verge of crying, partly because of L’s disregard. His

unexpected kindness had given her a sliver of warmth on her otherwise grim path.

Blaming herself for the weakness born from the desire to rely on someone, Whitney shook her head

rapidly, trying to sober up.

Just as she was about to break down, the roar of an engine and the screech of a car stopping abruptly

interrupted her wallowing.

The onlookers turned to see a handsome man emerge from the sports car. Dressed in a black shirt and

trousers, his rolled–up sleeves revealed muscular arms, and a discreetly luxurious watch hinted at a

mysterious and affluent identity.

He approached Whitney at the flower bed. His voice softened as he recalled her friend’s words about

her being. sabotaged. Yet, instead of sympathy, he had mocked her confidence and lack of skill.

“Didn’t you realize it was raining?” He asked gently.

Whitney looked up, surprised. “Why are you here?”

She wanted to leave as soon as she saw him, but he quickly stepped forward and lifted her into his

arms, much to her annoyance.

“What are you doing. L?” She snapped, pushing him away.