Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 30

The message from Simon read, [I know you wouldn’t come out willingly, so I’ve got leverage. Whitney, I have your grandfather’s old phone book, the one he had before he passed away. Haven’t you been trying to dig into that accident for years now? Are you sure you don’t want it?]

Simon knew her too well, and he had found her Achilles‘ heel.

Her mom and grandfather had perished in a horrific accident, or so the story went, according to Preston.

She was too young at the time, and she was studying abroad. Upon her return, she was bluntly informed of their sudden deaths. After they were gone, it was as if a giant hand had wiped away all traces of their existence.

Whitney had never questioned it before. She just wanted to know what really caused the accident. Back when she and Simon were an item, she had asked him to track down her grandfather’s assistant and any leads. The phone book was probably what he had found.

But after being double–crossed by the Valentine family, she started suspecting their involvement in her mother’s and grandfather’s deaths.

On the day of the funeral, she had searched the Valentine Mansion to no avail; Preston had cleared out all of her mother’s and grandfather’s belongings.

The phone book could reveal who her grandfather had been in contact with. If she could get her hands on it, it would be her only lead.

Whitney decided to call him back.

Simon’s voice was smug with triumph. “So, Whitney, what have you decided?”

“Where’s the phone book?”

“Come meet me. Agree to my terms, and I’ll hand it over.”

Whitney’s eyes narrowed. With a sly edge to her voice, she spoke, “How do I know the phone book is real? Show me a video of it now, and then we’ll talk.”

Simon agreed, and about two minutes later, he sent her a video.

Whitney squinted at the footage. Aside from the yellowed pages of the phone book, she recognized the background–the furniture, the layout–it was his bachelor apartment.

En så « no s

Armed with the information she needed, Whitney did not hang up in a hurry.

he said, “Meet me tomorrow night at Crystaline Bar’s private booth.

Whitney agreed. “Fine.”

up!” Simon

Tiana. “Tiana, do we have enough time? Did you get

with Tiana before the call, asking her to

call from his bachelor apartment!”

confirming the video was shot in real–time and the phone book was

what’s your plan?”

The following evening.

1/3

15.01

to Natalie, saying she would be back

buzzed with a Facebook message from L, [What are you up to? Dare ignore my

her to call him if anything came up. She furrowed her brows, her fingertips hesitating over the

an indifferent expression, Whitney left

out to make

Simon stood tall before Whitney,

and

of alcohol on his breath. “What do you want to talk

She had once been the object of many a young man’s affections in Banyan City, exuding a noble elegance without a hint of vulgarity. At times, her

was such a beauty; no man would want to let

deep and fervent. Whitney pressed closer to the door. “That’s not

can’t I care? You, your body… It was

curled into a sneer. “In your heart, I can die, but I can’t carry another man’s child? Is your pride hurt? Are you here because you

would become a pawn for the Valentine family. You used me to start your business, and after Monica wrapped you around her finger with her

away. He seized her shoulders. “It wasn’t like that. I

escape Monica’s seductions?”

nothing but a fallen woman. If

to the core. It took her a moment to regain her composure, staring at him like

with a cold

hate seeing you trade your body for leverage. You were always mine.” His drunken gaze locked onto

was cold. “So you can’t stand to see me with someone else, and now you want me as your

glanced at it discreetly. Her expression eased, “Forget it. I don’t want

made a show of naturally