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.

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

Whitney agreed. “Fine.”

up!” Simon sounded

do we have enough time?

the call, asking her to

the call from his bachelor

shot in real–time

what’s your plan?”

The following evening.

1/3

15.01

she

buzzed with a Facebook message from L, [What are

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

indifferent expression, Whitney left for her

draw Simon out to make her

booth, Simon stood tall before Whitney, gazing at her with a mysterious

in and

door, catching a whiff of alcohol on his breath. “What do you want to talk

features. 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 demeanor was as playful

a beauty; no man

it was the dim light, but Simon’s gaze was deep and

care? You, your body… It was all supposed to be mine!”

a chill settling in her heart. Her lips curled into a sneer. “In your heart, I can die, but I can’t carry another man’s

a pawn for the Valentine family. You used me to start your business, and after Monica wrapped you around her finger with her seductions, you dropped me without a second

seized her shoulders. “It wasn’t like

escape Monica’s seductions?” Whitney

to judge me? You’re nothing but a fallen woman. If so

a moment to

a cold fear. “What do

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

with someone else, and

eased, “Forget it. I don’t want the phone

show of naturally