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 wood, a

“You… Mr.

me!

bracing against the chair. With only

a smile hiding in his eyes. “As you know, a greedy and lustful man like me tends to give

his eyes were wickedly playful as he leaned in and whispered suggestively, Wanting the top prize is easy,

proposing indecent favors

17:48

scrambled away from his imposing figure like a startled

remained seated, looking after her with an amused

hold a grudge, but I’ll tell you this

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

He was a scoundrel!

cheeks reddened even more as she grabbed her flats and bolted. “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 as handsome

further. “How would you know without

her

the assistant walked in with two

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

the sweet scent of

she calling him

pleasure. She dared

his wife. Tsk tsk, the rich and their games of cat

Whitney climbed into

news. “Stella wants to

putting her laptop back in her bag,

the Aquatic Harmony Club, where Stella had just

you manage to

her a once–over, eyes brimming, “I just

now.” Whitney blinked

headed to their

revealing a cascade of rose–colored curls, the

us, any love interests?” Tiana was ever the

time? And Tiana, how are things with

a philanderer.” Tiana rolled her

“And yet you’re totally smitten with

hitched slightly as she glanced toward Whitney, “I heard from

you he’s a

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

free, her skin trembling. She scrambled away

after her with an amused

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

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