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.

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

realized the implication, “You… Mr.

me!

chair. With only three fingers, he had pinned

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, Wanting the top prize

indecent favors in exchange

17:48

scrambled away from

seated, looking after her with an amused

seething, “Shameless! Despicable! You hold a grudge, but I’ll

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

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

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

word, her suspicions

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

her home.” The man settled back in his chair, his eyes falling

still held the

she calling him

with pleasure.

to tease his wife. Tsk tsk, the rich

climbed

to meet up, a little gathering this

back in her

where Stella had just appeared, her disguise

manage to

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

now.” Whitney blinked

headed to

a cascade of rose–colored curls, the embodiment of

more and more enchanting. Tell us,

And Tiana, how are things with the Lutz

match. He’s a philanderer.” Tiana

friend’s dramatics. “And

toward Whitney, “I heard from Tiana that you’re expecting… Is it true the

brows. “Who told you he’s a thug? I never said

mixed up with something I saw on TV. My bad. Anyway, let’s drop that. I’ve heard you guys are really diving into that jewelry

free, her skin trembling. She scrambled away from

looking after

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

welcome the challenge in bed.” His eyes narrowed, the corners