Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 35

“Who cares? He’s my archenemy for life. Especially after he dared to accept Monica’s painting. That man is nothing but a devious snake, a greedy wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be a gentleman but with the

heart of a jackal

Whitney approached the bookshelf with a scowl, slapping the picture of the man back and forth with disdain.

Tiana, quivering nervously, whispered, “Isn’t it a bit much to be trash–talking and hitting his picture in his own

office

“Do you really think he’d have surveillance in his office?” Whitney snorted, scanning the room suspiciously.

She noticed a one–way mirror on the wall; the other side was probably another office.

At that moment, just a mirror away, the tall man stood with his arms crossed, an assistant beside him sweating bullets as he listened to the young madam’s tirade.

But the boss had a deep, amused smile on his lips like a man watching his kitten put up a playful fight utterly adorable

“No use. Tiana! With the way Monica cozied up to him, he took the bait. What’s the point of me even trying?”

Whitney slumped into a chair, her defeat weighing heavily on her.

“If only I could’ve taken him down before all this,” she gestured around the imposing office. “The desk, the

chair… It would all be mine.”

“Am I also yours, Ms. Valentine?” A deep, lazy voice suddenly came from the doorway, laced with a teasing lilt.

Whitney, who had been facing away, stiffened and spun around in her chair.

Tiana had vanished, and there stood a strikingly handsome man at the door, hands in pockets, his dark eyes fixed on her.

A heavy silence fell.

Whitney was a leading socialite, known for her grace and poise. Yet there she was, her legs disrespectfully thrown over the boss’s desk.

Whitney stiffened, then stood abruptly.

“Stay put.” The man raised an intrigued eyebrow, strode over, and grasped her delicate foot in his warm palm with one swift move. “This desk is worth three million, a fitting throne for your dainty feet.”

Before Whitney could react, he playfully tickled the sole of her foot, sending her face into a blaze.

She tried to pull away, but his firm grip held her in place, immobilizing her with just three fingers.

over her curves, his lips curving into a devilish smirk, “And the chair, six

implication, “You…

me!

but he held her ankle, his muscular arm bracing against the chair. With

lustful man like me tends to give some contestants an unfair advantage. Some

playful as he leaned in and whispered suggestively, Wanting the top prize is easy,

proposing indecent favors in exchange for winning

17:48

foot free, her skin trembling. She scrambled away from his imposing figure

seated, looking after her

grudge, but I’ll tell you this – I’ll rise again and take you

thing, I’d rather welcome

He was a scoundrel!

dare think about me! ! have a

“How would you know without

fled without a word, her suspicions about the man’s rakishness

she stormed out, the assistant walked in with

for a car to take her home.” The man settled back in his chair, his eyes falling

chair still held the sweet scent of

calling him a

with pleasure.

assistant thought, “Boss has stayed back on purpose just to tease his wife. Tsk tsk, the rich and their games

climbed into

had good news. “Stella wants to meet up, a little gathering this

replied while putting her laptop back

Harmony Club, where Stella had

did you manage to

Whitney.” Stella gave her a once–over, eyes brimming, “I just

now.” Whitney blinked

hugged and headed to their

a cascade of

enchanting. Tell us, any love interests?” Tiana

I have the time? And Tiana, how

match. He’s a philanderer.” Tiana rolled her

dramatics. “And yet you’re totally smitten

as she glanced toward Whitney, “I heard from Tiana that

you

maybe I got it mixed up with something I saw on TV. My bad. Anyway, let’s drop that.

foot free, her skin trembling. She scrambled away from his imposing figure like a

after her with

hold a grudge, but I’ll tell you this –

doing a thing, I’d rather welcome the challenge