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.

gaze slid over her curves, his lips curving into a devilish smirk, “And the chair, six million, imported fine

flamed as she realized the implication, “You…

me!

bracing against the chair. With

glimmer of a smile hiding in his eyes. “As you know, a greedy and lustful man like me tends to give some contestants an unfair advantage. Some are willing to showcase their cleavage, among other things,

composed, but his eyes were wickedly playful as he leaned in and whispered suggestively,

proposing indecent favors in exchange for winning the competition?”

17:48

free, her skin trembling. She scrambled away from his

remained seated, looking after her with an

but I’ll tell you this – I’ll rise

win lying down and not doing a thing, I’d rather welcome the challenge in bed.” His eyes narrowed, the corners of his

He was a scoundrel!

“Don’t you dare think about me! ! have a husband, and I love him. I will never stoop to your level. You’re not even half

man’s lips curled further. “How would you know

word, her suspicions about the man’s rakishness

out, the assistant walked in with two lunches. “Sir,

The man settled back

held the

calling him a

rose with pleasure. She dared to curse

his wife. Tsk tsk, the rich and their games

Whitney climbed into

“Stella wants to meet up, a little

laptop back in

Aquatic Harmony Club, where

to escape the set?” Tiana hugged

Whitney.” Stella gave her a once–over, eyes brimming, “I just heard about your trouble. Are

now.” Whitney blinked

and headed to

hat, revealing a cascade of rose–colored curls,

you’re getting more and more enchanting. Tell us, any love

would I have the time? And Tiana, how are things with the

a philanderer.” Tiana rolled her

friend’s dramatics. “And yet you’re totally smitten

smile hitched slightly as she glanced toward Whitney, “I heard from Tiana that you’re expecting… Is it true the guy’s a

told you he’s a thug? I never said

recovered, laughing off her faux pas, “Oh, maybe I got it mixed up with something I saw on TV. My bad. Anyway, let’s

scrambled away from his

after her with

seething, “Shameless! Despicable! You hold a grudge, but I’ll tell you this – I’ll rise again and take

not doing a thing, I’d rather welcome the challenge in bed.”