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?”

work,

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

Whitney asked

down

Simon ran towards her.

trembling voice, “Look… This is the horoscope for a ghost marriage, with Whitney’s

of the bloody paper, helping Monica up. “Nonsense. She’s dead!

so scared…” Monica’s eyes darkened, her face drained

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

“Harsh? Whitney was born to shield Monica from misfortune, a life

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14:54

Chapter 4

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

news, her mouth twisting in a cold smile. The appetizer was served; the entrée

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

back. “Mr. L,

one. The man beside her divided a fraction of his

voice, so deep, made Whitney’s resolve falter, and the tears she had been

rubbing her hand gently,

man, who commanded, “I don’t care what you’re planning; just make sure you keep yourself

promise you!” It was a transaction, after all. Whitney did not expect him to avenge

haven, and

her destination,” he said as he stepped out of the car, too busy to state

then told the driver, “Please take me to Sun Funeral

in the VIP lounge of the funeral home, Yvonne tore the blood–stained paper with a scoff, “It’s just lipstick and water, a childish

no one else knew

with contempt. “Even if all her company’s people have turned to us, she might still have a

soon. Your father will announce in front of the media that all of Whitney’s inheritance will go to you. There

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

her composure, a triumphant smile

in the afternoon, the funeral home

knew about Whitney Valentine, a business prodigy and stunning beauty who made a name for herself in Banyan

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

core.

as she made a call from a public phone. Even with nothing to her name, she remembered