Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Simon raised his palm, and Whitney glared coldly at the despicable jerk before her.

Still, his betrayal pierced her frozen heart like a dagger.

Their tender eight years together–he had claimed to be the bastard of the Perlman family, placing extra importance on family values.

He had talked about having a whole brood of kids with her.

Now, he had traded her for Monica.

“We’ll see what kind of spawn you two produce. Hell’s got a special place for you both!” Whitney wrenched her hand away and stormed off.

Simon frowned, instinctively following her retreating figure, lithe and indifferent.

Monica caught his gaze, her expression darkening suddenly.

“Damn it,” she thought, “I can’t let that wench take back the company and lure Simon in again!”

Outside the towering skyscraper of Skye Gem Ltd.

Tiana saw Whitney emerge, her demeanor icy, and quickly asked, “How did it go? Did any shareholders back you up?”

Whitney shook her head. “Business folks chase profit; no one’s dumb enough to cross the Valentines right now. But I did sabotage Simon’s deal today and goaded Monica into making a bet.”

“Nice! What’s the bet?”

“A provincial jewelry contest next month. If I win, I take over as General Manager.”

“No way! You struck a nerve. Simon and Monica, those two must be rattled!”

“I don’t know if they’re rattled, but the shareholders at Skye Gem sure don’t believe in me. They’re all backing Monica, mocking me openly.”

Tiana clenched her teeth, a cold smirk crossing her face as she booted up her computer. “They have no clue about your skills, do they? We’ve got to win this! Let’s see, the regional contest starts in October, and it’s hosted by Imperial Gem Corporation, the top judges…”

She suddenly fell silent.

Whitney’s face turned rigid with anger as she spun around. “What did you just say? Which jewelry company?”

hard, Tiana muttered, “The jewelry monarch, your arch–nemesis–Imperial Gem

Silence filled the car.

Whitney’s face ablaze

the same guy who

I cursed him with

Tiana’s lips twitched. “Imperial Gem’s the industry leader, but the boss is a mystery. Rumor has it he’s from the

Lippert stole my grandfather’s deal! And every bid Skye Gem made, Imperial Gem tried to snatch it. A few years back, I lost a huge contract to them in a neighboring

14:56

Chapter 11

Tiana muttered, watching Whitney

if Mr. Lippert was a young man, this could

face, and you’re holding a grudge. But we can’t let Monica win this contest. We need to get cozy with Mr. Lippert.

has a business

was taken aback. “Send me the address.”

to suck up to

own business,” Whitney

current predicament, she had no choice but to make

were a complex

following day, in the afternoon, Whitney arrived promptly at the Southern

bracing herself, she approached the establishment, only to be condescendingly stopped

F < F @

and powerful, a place Whitney used to enter at will. But now, with her accounts frozen and penniless, she was about

Let her be!” A roguish male voice

man with

was equally startled upon seeing her.

Valentine, I own this club. Who are you looking

Imperial Gem Corporation. I hear he’s here today. Could I

Gem Corporation Ludwik?” The

to see him?

his hesitation, Whitney asked,

Iü

her pointedly, “You’ll have to cater to his tastes. Go change into something appropriate first!” Eager for a chance, Whitney did not hesitate and followed a manager into the changing

white blouse, a deep neckline, a pleated skirt–this was… a

the man tempted her, “He’s in room 2022, just

him into the