Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137 

Ludwik gave Whitney a cursory glance, his lithe, commanding fingers setting down the silverware as a wry smile played on his lips. “You want me to have a proper meal, huh?” 

Whitney’s doe–eyed expression was one of confusion. “Um, yeah.” 

“Then eat up and come over here,” he said, his eyes brooding. 

Whitney did not quite catch his drift but obediently sped up her dinner. Wiping her hands, she rose and approached him. 

Ludwik casually picked up a dossier. “You read, and I’ll eat.” 

“Seriously?” Whitney was incredulous. He was making her dictate the contents, clearly exploiting her labor. 

She protested, “Mr. President, I’m your VP, not your secretary. It’s her job to assist with the documents!” 

“How about a promotion then? VP and secretary. I’ll use you however I see fit, alright?” His words carried an underlying intent. 

Whitney blushed at the double entendre, choosing not to argue further. Resigned, she took the dossier, gritting her teeth. “Then you better eat properly.” 

After a quick scan, she stood beside him, the hem of her pencil skirt grazing his crisp suit trousers, a hint of intimacy in the air. 

Ludwik’s gaze swept over her beautiful legs. Even in flat shoes, Whitney’s professional attire was alluring. 

Noticing the deepening interest in his eyes, she began reading the document. 

“Reject it. Next,” he interjected as he focused on his meal. 

As Whitney presented the following document for his signature, she walked over to his large desk, picked up an expensive pen, and handed it to him. Ludwik signed without looking up. 

Curious, Whitney tried to glimpse his signature for a clue to his name, only to find it was indecipherable. 

“L, did you sign it like that on purpose? Are you afraid I’ll find out your name?” She challenged. “Since I joined your company yesterday, there’s been no trace of your information, not even a nameplate on your office door. Did you arrange that?” 

Ludwik reclined on the couch, eyeing her with a mischievous glint, remaining silent. 

His controlling demeanor frustrated Whitney. She pressed, “Aren’t you going to reveal your identity to me?” 

He wore a mask even in the company, which was unexpected. The staff did not dare gossip; 

Chapter 

after all, he was the president. 

But Whitney wondered if he had worn masks before. His close associates seemed unfazed by 

1. it. 

As Whitney pondered, Ludwik pulled her onto his lap, their eyes locked. “Curious again?” 

“Yes, although you said at Alpine Springs Resort that I should get to know you as a person, not by your title. But surely, I can’t remain in the dark forever?” 

“If you want to know, then by our agreement, have you fallen for me?” His voice was a seductive whisper in her ear. 

Caught off guard by his question, Whitney’s heartbeat raced uncontrollably. 

“So fast… Does that mean…” His hand slid to her waist, then to her heart. 

His voice was dangerously low, “Have you fallen for me?” 

“I haven’t, not quite yet!” Whitney denied, her face aflame. She needed time to consider such a commitment. 

His lips curled into a knowing smirk, and he pulled her closer, sealing her lips with a forceful kiss. “If you haven’t fallen for me, I can’t tell you who I am. But, you’re free to get to know me 

better.” 

“Mmm…” Whitney was swept away again, her mind racing with questions. Why did she have to fall for him to learn his identity? 

But soon, she was lost in his kiss, her body going limp. Just as she tried to get up, he tossed another dossier onto her lap, leaning back lazily. “Keep reading; you’re working for me this afternoon.” 

“You’re abusing your power,” Whitney accused, her voice tight. 

He brushed her swollen lips, his eyes betraying a hint of fatigue. “Go on, I need a break.” 

Whitney softened, gently squeezing his hand in support. “L, whoever you are, now that I’m part of your life and company, I’ll do my best to help. You won’t have to struggle alone anymore.” 

His family seemed to weigh heavily on him. 

Ludwik looked at her, his gaze a mix of cold intensity and warmth. He held her hand tightly, his voice low and serious as he said, “Remember your promise today. Under no circumstances can you abandon me, or you can’t imagine the consequences.” 

She was frightened by his possessiveness but was soon distracted by his whisper. He said, “I didn’t bring you into the company to exploit you but to protect you. From now on, the people I need to take care of include not just my mother but also you.” 

Her heart skipped a beat. He wanted to protect her. 

Quickly, he regained composure, teasingly tapping her nose. “Are we going to keep flirting, or 

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Chapter 137 

are we going to work?” 

Blushing, Whitney buried her feelings and grabbed the dossier, continuing to read the key points. 

He reviewed the documents much faster, and by the afternoon, he had left the office. 

It dawned on Whitney that he had trusted her with the core documents of United Realty Corporation. Was this complete faith in her? 

She felt a sweetness growing in her heart. 

Her phone rang. It was the manager of Skye Gem informing her that Troy and Faith had arrived. Whitney returned to the VP’s office, gathered her things, informed her assistant that she would be out for the afternoon, and headed to the meeting at Skye Gem. 

At the conference room on the first floor of the Skye Gem Ltd. Building. 

Faith and Troy sat comfortably. 

Whitney walked in with a portfolio, leaving the door deliberately ajar. 

Troy wore a sly grin while Faith eyed Whitney skeptically. “Word on the street is that Simon got the boot from Skye Gem. You handed him two billion dollars in cash. The poor chap’s been having a rough time with the Perlman family these days. And now that you’ve tightened your grip on Skye Gem, you’re knocking on our door for a partnership? What’s your game, Whitney? Trying to push Simon over the edge?” 

Faith could not suppress a chuckle, secretly pleased with the turn of events as she supported Troy’s ambitions. 

Whitney’s youthful face remained composed as she slid the portfolio across the table. “Yes, I’m pressing him. This boutique jewelry store project–if you’re interested, take a look.” 

She was interrupted as the office door was slammed open with such force that it reverberated through the room. 

“Whitney!” Simon barged in, his face as white as a ghost, desperation flickering in his eyes, his hair in disarray. It was clear he had hurried over to Skye Gem the moment he got wind of the 

news. 

Chapter 138