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.”

like this?” Tiana asked, visibly

star is Monica, and I’m only weighing

the pros and

delete my

scoffed. “Did I? You have

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

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

their group looked

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

Stella said with a

by Stella’s obsequious behavior,

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 to do that

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Chapter 40

She glanced at Whitney

of Whitney, and before Stella could act, she slapped her

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

over

naive fool, how dare you slap me?” Stella tried to

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

a little help from you, I could have been a star by now! But you had to talk

blame us for not helping enough when it was Whitney who got you into the industry! You repay kindness with betrayal, and now you’re

brawl when Monica, thoroughly entertained, signaled for one of the

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

Valentine, what seems to be the problem here?” The

they have a reservation? Why are they hogging the room? I have

and Tiana. “They have no money, no status. How did they even