Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 4

On the eleventh day, after he had meticulously planned her fake ‘murder,‘ they actually went and secretly got their marriage license.

What a twist of fate!–

Whitney froze, a suffocating agony drowning her, hate that was bone–deep, and a coldness that splashed from the depths of her eyes.

The past taunted her like a sharp sword.

“Whitney, I will definitely marry you. You’ll soon be Mrs. Perlman.”

“Whitney, you’re a genius. Help Monica with her draft one more time; she must win the jewelry competition!”

“We’ll get the license after the wedding. Don’t worry, I won’t betray you.”

After the wedding, huh? But he wanted her dead!

The tight grip on her palm was released by the man standing beside her, his tall figure casting a cool shadow. He asked her, “Need a few minutes?”

Whitney pressed her pale lips together and shook her head.

A clerk politely ushered them inside.

It only took two minutes to get the license. Whitney glanced at the man working busily in the chair, then at the marriage certificate. His name in the document had only one initial: L.

Domineering, indifferent, perfunctory.

What kind of marriage was this? It seemed the license was just a way to bind her and to appease the old lady.

She knew nothing about him, nor did she know whom she had truly married.

Suddenly, Whitney spotted Simon and Monica entering another office. Monica took her purse to the restroom.

Whitney’s lips curled into a cold smirk, and she said to L, “I have something to take care of.”

Felix, the man’s assistant, looked at Whitney’s retreating figure and asked the man quietly, “Sir?”

his work, only frowning slightly. “Keep her

took out a lipstick inside the restroom, crushed it into water, and smeared it all over the paper. She stuffed it

city hall, Whitney asked the driver to

delicate figure tumbled down the steps in panic, screaming

Simon ran towards her.

is the horoscope for a ghost marriage, with Whitney’s name

paper, helping Monica up.

I’m so scared…” Monica’s eyes darkened, her

the guilty couple huddled together, Whitney coldly snapped a photo with her phone. The pain from her palm, punctured and raw, was unbearable, and her eyes began to

echoed in her ear. “Harsh? Whitney was born to shield Monica from misfortune, a life cheaper than

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Chapter 4

it, the truth cut like a knife. From now on, she would

mouth twisting in a cold

of blood and deep vengeance, she would claim it all back,

“Mr.

by a larger one. The man beside her divided a fraction of his attention

made Whitney’s resolve falter, and the tears she had been holding

me rub it for you.” He frowned, rubbing her hand gently, his face emotionless, his breath

care what you’re planning; just make sure

after all. Whitney did not expect him to avenge her,

haven, and this marriage

her destination,” he said as

his retreating figure, then told the driver, “Please take me to

with a scoff, “It’s just lipstick

no one else knew

all her company’s people have turned to us, she might still have a friend or two.

father will announce in front of the media that all of Whitney’s inheritance

and she can’t come back,” Preston

a triumphant

in the afternoon, the funeral home

Valentine family was a well–known dynasty in Banyan City. Everyone knew about Whitney Valentine, a business prodigy and stunning beauty who made a name for herself

as scandalous as her life had

core.

public phone. Even with nothing to her name, she remembered some media