Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 254

In the International Convention Center’s opulent auction hall, Elaine, clad in a sleek

midnight blue cocktail dress, made her grand entrance, clinging to the arm of a man

whose height was rivaled only by his influence.

All eyes were drawn to her–not because she was a stunning beauty, which she was, but

because of the sheer power and presence the man by her side commanded.

An auction of Skye Gem Ltd., a small fry in the big pond, typically would not lure the high

and mighty. But rumors had flown that Mr. Lippert was to attend, and like moths to a

flame, the elite came in droves.

The Skyfaith Group had soared to the third biggest company in the world by market

capitalization in just three years, and Mr. Lippert? He was the golden ticket everyone

wanted to rub shoulders with, even if it meant just brushing against his coattails.

The distinguished gentleman, shoulder burdened with a child, kept the brim of his fedora

low. shielding the little one’s face.

“My God, Mr. Lippert is making an appearance with his kid for the first time!”

The society ladies oozed envy. “Elaine’s got it all. Engaged for three years, and now it

seems she’s got a little prince. Word on the street is Mr. Lippert spoils her rotten. She’s

living the dream, the very model of a tycoon’s wife.”

Elaine tightened her grip on the man’s arm, her face the picture of grace, but her lips

curled ever so slightly with satisfaction.

To the crème de la crème of Banyan City, she was untouchable, enjoying a slice of

happiness that was uniquely hers.

“Ludwik, let me carry Danny,” she cooed, offering a sugary smile.

“No.” Daniel, stiff as a board in his father’s embrace, shot a cold glance at the woman,

irked by her act.

Crowds made him uneasy, his voice taut and cool, “Ludwik, I wanna go home. It’s too

noisy here!”

Elaine’s smile faltered, her outstretched hand moving to pretend to tuck a stray lock of

hair. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice.

Ludwik gently squeezed his son’s little clenched fist, well aware of the boy’s discomfort

with strangers and crowds.

He swept a protective gaze over the onlookers and shielded his son’s face, “I don’t want

Danny overexposed. I’ll take him to the lounge. Go ahead and take your seat.”

Elaine saw the displeasure on his face. Bringing the little troublemaker had been her idea,

but she didn’t want the kid causing a scene.

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“Sweeten our son up for us, Ludwik. I’ll be waiting,” she said, her voice loud enough for

others to hear.

Ludwik, escorted by his bodyguards, took the child to the resting room, the picture of a

doting. mature father.

The sight made the socialites swoon, and they showered Elaine with compliments, “Elaine,

you’re such a good mom!”

“No wonder Mr. Lippert dotes on you. Heard he’s snapping up Skye Gem Ltd. as a wedding

gift for you? That used to be his ex–wife Whitney’s company, right? Shows how deeply he

loves you.”

Elaine could hardly contain her glee. This was the music to her ears!

In everyone’s eyes, Whitney was a defeated rival but still the talk of the town, even in her

absence.

But Elaine responded with feigned gentility, “Let’s not speak ill of the departed. I saw

potential in Skye Gem Ltd. I just wanted to dabble in business. Ludwik, he’s all business;

as long as I’m happy, that’s all that matters.”

“You’re so spoiled!” the crowd remarked, more sourly this time.

Elaine settled into her seat, content.

Ludwik soon arrived, adjusting his impeccable tie, and took the seat beside her.

The lights dimmed, and the auctioneer took the stage.

Then, a murmur rippled through the crowd, “Bryce from the Lutz Group is here.”

Ludwik tensed slightly.

Another voice chimed in, “What a turnout, Orion’s here too. Is he interested in his former

sister–in–law’s company?”

“And who’s that woman with him? Wow, just look at that figure! I bet she’s about to

become the number one woman Banyan City men would die to sleep with.“.

A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

At the mention of a beautiful woman, Elaine instinctively glanced at Ludwik.

He arched an eyebrow, his gaze hardening slightly, yet he made no move to look up. His

posture exuded disinterest.

Satisfied, Elaine smirked. “Orion’s still the playboy he always was, bringing some low–class

date to an event like this. You’ve nearly cornered the market with Imperial Gem

Corporation. When do you plan to acquire his company?”

Ludwik, eyes fixed ahead, responded casually, “I’ll do that whenever I want. No need to

pick a day.”

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Elaine adored this understated dominance, his aura gripping her.

Their fingers Intertwined, she whispered seductively, “Ludwik, I must have Skye Gem Ltd.

tonight.”

“Then it’s yours.”

The auctioneer announced the assets of Skye Gem Ltd, to the room, starting the bidding

at 800 million.

Whitney, seated beside Orion, clutched her heart. Skye Gem Ltd. might not have been a

top–tier Jewelry company, but it was once worth thirty billion dollars. Since her ‘death‘

three years ago, the company had been ravaged, reduced to a mere shell of its former

self.

Her fists tightened.

Then, from the VIP section, a deep masculine voice declared, “5 billion dollars. Give it to

me.”

It was Ludwik’s voice.

The room erupted in shock.

“Elaine, congratulations! Mr. Lippert really spoils you!”

Elaine’s lips stretched into a smile.

The auctioneer, taken aback, asked, “Any further bids?”

Bryce raised,his paddle, “5.2 billion.”

Ludwik’s eyelid twitched.

Then, from the back, another paddle went up, “5.6 billion, Skye Gem Ltd. is mine!”

Orion’s distinctively roguish tone was well–known among the city’s elite.

Murmurs spread. “Has Orion lost his mind? His company’s been squeezed dry by Mr.

Lippert. Why would he bid on a company worth just 800 million?”

The auctioneer, equally skeptical, asked politely, “Mr. Orion, are you sure about the 5.6

billion dollar bid?”

“Of course. What, you think I can’t afford it?”

“What’s your interest in Skye Gem, bidding on it like this?” someone in the crowd asked,

curiosity piqued.

Orion smirked, glancing at Whitney, who sat in the shadows, her face veiled, her slender

figure wrapped in velvet.

He licked his lips.

Whitney’s high heel came down with a stomp.

Orion stood up with a huff, casting a sidelong glance at Ludwik, a mischievous smirk

playing on

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his lips. “My brother is doing all this for Elaine’s charming smile, and I’m here to get a grin

from the beauty by my side.”

The dim blue lights in the room flickered, and everyone paused, their curiosity piqued

about the mysterious lady accompanying Orion.

From across the room, Bryce locked eyes with Whitney, his gaze intense, as he lifted his

bidding paddle. “6 billion dollars!”

There were gasps all around. “Rumor has it Mr. Lutz nearly got hitched to Whitney three

years ago. Is he here in memorial of his late lady love?”

Ludwik adjusted his tie irritably upon hearing this.

Orion had said he was doing it all for a smile from the lady by his side.

And now Bryce kept outbidding him.

Could it be…

Ludwik’s gaze darkened, and with a cool tilt of the head, he shot a glance in the direction

of

Orion’s seat.

He knew she had returned to Banyan City. Worse yet, she was his andrologist.

In his haste today, he had not had time to deal with her. Could it be that she heard he was

attending and slipped in to cause a scene?

The nerve of her, thinking she could cling to him? She had another think coming!

“8 billion!” he declared, his voice icy.

Elaine, still clueless, gave a small, sly smile.

She rose gracefully. “Excuse me, Ludwik, I’m heading to the washroom.”

Inside, Elaine dialed back a missed call, her voice cheerful “Mom… I’m at the auction.

Bryce and Orion are making their moves, but they’re no match. Whitney’s rundown firm is

as good as mine. Who can top Ludwik’s power?

Once I clinch this deal, I’ll use the occasion tonight to have Ludwik announce our wedding

date. What’s there to worry about? That wretch is dead and can’t come back.”

As she spoke, she pushed open the door, only to bump into someone.

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