Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 40

Whitney scrolled through the latest entertainment news about Stella on her phone, glancing over at her friend. “Tiana, let’s head upstairs. Can you get us a private suite?”

Tiana was off like a shot, making a beeline for the club’s manager. Securing a private suite was next to impossible without a reservation, but with a bit of cash persuasion, she managed to wrangle a room for an hour.

But why did Whitney want a private suite?

Whitney’s eyes were calm and unreadable as she said, “An hour will be enough.”

She took a seat, logged into a burner account, and sent a message into the digital ether,

In less than six minutes, the click–clack of high heels approached. Stella, who had claimed to be too busy, hurried in with a smile plastered on her face. “Monica, has Kyler arrived yet?”

The moment she entered, her expression turned to stone.

Even Whitney felt a twinge of stiffness for her.

Tiana, out of breath and pale, was the first to confront her. “Stella, whose name did you just call? Since when are you friends with Monica? Do you have any idea what she did to Whitney?”

Stella snapped back to reality, quickly putting two and two together after seeing the message.

Her demeanor chilled as she turned to Whitney. “You always were the sharpest one among us.”

“Why betray me?” Whitney’s question was straightforward.

Leaning against the wall, Stella no longer bothered to fake a smile. Annoyance flickered in her eyes. “Why do you think, Whitney? Standing beside you now, I feel embarrassed. You’re not worthy anymore.”

become like

There’s no such thing as forever friends. Among the Valentine sisters, the rising star is Monica, and I’m only weighing the pros and cons. Aligning with you would tarnish my image. Don’t blame me

pros

icy, her heart shedding the last threads of warmth. “Did you delete my files from my computer? Did you leak my designs

“Did

trust to sabotage her career! Now, the news is painting her as a plagiarist. Do you want to ruin her life?”

achieved my goals?” As they

their group looked down

you the lead role. You’re on

Stella said

obsequious behavior, Tiana stepped

there’s a catch,” Monica continued. “You need to prove your loyalty. Slap Whitney right here and drive her out. The Royal One Club is no place for a washed–up has–been like her, and I believe you’ve wanted

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Chapter 40

glanced at

in front of Whitney, and before Stella could act, she

can’t believe you were about to hit her. I’m so disappointed in you. From now on, our sisterhood

over

how dare you

she stood up and grabbed Stella’s hair. “Touch Tiana, and I won’t

fault I’ve become like this? When you were the darling of high society, knowing my family was struggling, with a little help from you, I could have been

you into the industry! You repay kindness with

a brawl when Monica, thoroughly entertained, signaled for one of the socialites to fetch the club

If Whitney got humiliated enough, maybe even a scandalous news story of her causing a scene in the club, coupled with plagiarism accusations,

to be the

arrogantly, “Those two rabid dogs over there, do they have a reservation? Why are they hogging the room? I have my eye on this room

sent security to remove Whitney and Tiana. “They have no money, no status. How