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 Corporation. They’re

Silence filled the car.

see Whitney’s face ablaze with fury,

Imperial Gem Corporation’s CEO the same guy who emailed you

him with a hidden

lips twitched. “Imperial Gem’s the industry leader, but the boss is a mystery. Rumor has it he’s from the Lippert family, third son or something? And you’ve got him as your rival, head–to–head with

Our families have a history. A 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 state because I stopped to help

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Chapter 11

Tiana muttered, watching

was a young man, this could be quite the

a grudge. But we can’t let Monica win this contest.

has a business appointment at the Southern Elegance Club tomorrow at 3

was taken aback. “Send me

“You’re going to suck up to your mortal enemy?”

own business,”

the current predicament, she had no choice but to

emotions were

the afternoon, Whitney arrived promptly at the

establishment, only to be condescendingly stopped by a security guard.

F < F @

a playground for the rich and powerful, a place Whitney used to enter at will. But now, with her accounts

on here? Let her be!” A roguish

turned, surprised. There stood a man with phoenix

man was equally startled upon seeing her. “Isn’t that Whitney?” He

approached her, eyeing her curiously yet warmly, “Ms. Valentine, I own this club. Who are you looking for?” She sized him

Lippert of Imperial Gem Corporation. I hear he’s here

of Imperial Gem Corporation Ludwik?” The man

as he teased, “Oh, you want to see him? But Mr. Lippert isn’t someone you can just

hesitation, Whitney asked, “What will

Iü

“You’ll have to cater to his tastes. Go change into something appropriate first!” Eager for a chance, Whitney did

she was stunned/A super short white blouse, a deep neckline, a pleated skirt–this was… a schoolgirl look. What was

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

followed him into the