Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

hapter 1

On the eve of her wedding, Whitney Valentine and her younger stepsister were kidnapped, but her fiancé only

rescued her sister.

The kidnapper lunged at her with a sneer, tearing at her clothes with a vicious rip.

Still in disbelief. Whitney waited foolishly, yelling, “No! Please wait more… Simon Perlman said he’d pay the ransom.”

With a mocking laugh, the kidnapper dialed a number and barked, “Monica Valentine, your elder sister sure is a fool!”

Whitney froze.

Her sister’s mocking voice came through the phone. “You really believed that knight–in–shining–armor crap? Let me tell you the truth: I’m carrying Simon’s baby!”

Whitney’s face turned ashen. “When… When did you two get together?”

“Simon’s always loved me. He only used you to start his business! Now that he’s CEO, guess why you’re the one kidnapped?”

Chills crawled up Whitney’s arms as she shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t believe it. Put Simon on the phone!”

Then a man’s voice that came through was cold and remorseless. “Whitney, you’re no longer of any value to me. Take care on your ‘journey.”

Boom!

Whitney’s world collapsed into a pallor of despair.

Eight years of love, all just a ploy? He wanted her dead so he could take over the company!

Whitney’s tears fell down her cheeks.

Monica’s twisted laugh cut through. “He wanted to leave you a pretty corpse, but I’ll make sure you die ugly. Have your fun with her, then leave her to the wolves!”

“Monica, I treated you like my own sister. Why are you doing this? Mom and Dad won’t let you get away with

this!”

“Do you think Mom and Dad really loved you?” Monica sneered coldly.

mean by that? Before she could

with sinister grins. Whitney trembled with fear, unwilling

fate.

really going to be a pawn in Simon and Monica’s scheme, toyed

let

its door ajar on the

seat, his large silhouette

tension.

she broke free from her captors and tumbled down the hill toward the car,

“Get lost.”

gaze half–closed, his breath heavy

14-54

kidnappers were closing

me, sir, please!” Whitney clung to his leg, crawling into

inadvertently brushed against the man’s

opened wide, and the man’s Adam’s apple bobbed,

can’t!” She shook

you, since you’ve come,” the man’s voice was a dark, cold chuckle. “Don’t regret it.” In an instant, his powerful frame enveloped

the man was still asleep; dawn had

up her clothes and fled from the

of her eyes, Whitney

back to the Valentine family in Banyan

name, she endured hunger and

her fist. In ten days, she hadn’t seen a single piece of news about her

never loved her. Recalling the injustices of her

believe it, so she returned

Valentine Mansion, Whitney entered with a cold gaze. Before she could step further, she heard a dispute

find the body!” Her

was sinister as she said, “Dad, if you’re worried about her haunting us, let’s arrange a ‘ghost marriage‘ for her! We’ll

bit harsh?” That was her father, Preston Valentine, devoid of any paternal

expressionless face stripped bare by the cold, and her fantasies of a concerned

value out of her even in death, discussing using a ‘ghost marriage‘ to trap

Preston, Whitney was born to shield Monica from misfortune, a life cheaper than dirt! Besides, we know what happened to her mother. If Whitney’s still alive and finds out your

If she’s alive, I’ll make sure she doesn’t leave here today,” Preston’s voice was devoid of

over her company.

and devils

her lip to