Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Charity auctions were often ripe with landscape paintings, and they were aiming to curry favor with Imperial Gem Corporation through the back door, Whitney mused.

Tiana expressed her concern. “We need to cozy up to Mr. Lippert as well! Remember that spat you had with your nemesis at the Southern Elegance Club? The registrations are coming up, and I wonder if you’ll still be as defiant.”

Whitney wrinkled her nose in irritation. “Can we not talk about that nauseating man right now?”

“Fine, let’s talk about Monica. She’s got all your best drafts in her grip. Those are enough for Monica to enter numerous competitions and scoop up awards. Can you produce something better in such a short time?”

Whitney took a deep breath.

In the past, she had been naive. A sweet word from Simon, and she would comfort herself with the thought that she was still young, handing over her work to Monica, foolishly helping Simon elevate Monica to the status of a genius designer!

Whitney spoke with an icy detachment, “She may have the drafts, but I have the brains!”

had stolen, Whitney vowed to

you make your comeback in the competition,” Tiana said, her

squeezed her hand in

hit the mall today?” Tiana

Whitney said, “I want to check out the jewelry

eyes gleamed with mischief as she grinned and said, “Alright, let’s do

Imperial Gem Corporation building, where Whitney was caught off guard. “Why are you taking me to our

mentioned his striking good looks. There’s a jewelry exhibition at Imperial Gem today, and rumor has it Mr. Lippert will make an appearance around lunch. You can admire the gems, and I’ll get

on romance novels or what?” Whitney fumed.

you might be drooling

the building, a Rolls–Royce at its center. The car door swung

with an austere elegance; his profile alone was a

as when she first saw

crowd of onlooking women as security managed the throng. The man’s