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?”

gaze never left his work, only frowning slightly.

it all over the paper. She stuffed it into a cubicle and left

city hall, Whitney asked the

figure tumbled down the steps in panic, screaming unabashedly,

Simon ran towards her.

blood–soaked paper and said with a trembling voice, “Look… This is the horoscope for a ghost marriage, with Whitney’s name written in

recoiled at the sight of the bloody paper, helping Monica up. “Nonsense. She’s dead! Calm down, don’t let

scared…” Monica’s eyes darkened,

The pain from her

stepmother’s words echoed in her ear. “Harsh? Whitney was born to shield Monica

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14:54

Chapter 4

truth cut like a knife.

the afternoon’s funeral news, her mouth twisting in a cold smile. The appetizer was served; the entrée would soon

she would claim it

her hand back. “Mr.

man beside her divided

the

rubbing her hand gently, his face emotionless, his

you’re planning; just make sure you keep yourself safe, especially what’s

It was a transaction, after all. Whitney did not expect him to avenge her, especially since

haven, and this marriage was her temporary

to her destination,” he said as he stepped out

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

tore the blood–stained paper with a scoff, “It’s just lipstick and

no one else knew about us

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

soon. Your father will announce in front of the media that all of Whitney’s inheritance will go to you. There will be no

gone, and she can’t come back,” Preston stated with

regained her composure, a triumphant

the afternoon, the funeral

knew about Whitney Valentine, a business prodigy and stunning beauty who made a

was dead. And her death was as scandalous as her life had been, enough to shake the city to

core.

a public phone. Even with nothing to her name,