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.”

have you become like

Among the Valentine sisters, the rising star is Monica, and I’m only weighing the pros and cons. Aligning with you would tarnish

pros

the last threads of warmth. “Did you delete my files from my computer? Did you leak my designs

scoffed. “Did I? You have

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

trust, how could I have achieved my goals?” As they spoke,

their group looked down

Director Kyler will give you the lead role. You’re on your way to becoming the

Stella said with

by Stella’s obsequious behavior, Tiana stepped

here and drive her out. The Royal One

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Chapter 40

face tensed. She glanced at Whitney and

of Whitney, and before Stella could

to hit her. I’m

over

fool, how dare you slap me?” Stella tried

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

spat venomously. “Is it not your 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 a star by now! But you had to talk about hard work, as if that meant anything

who got you into the industry! You repay kindness with betrayal, and now you’re following Monica, thinking

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

even a scandalous news story of her

the problem here?”

have a reservation? Why are they hogging the room?

and Tiana. “They have no money,