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?”

the rise, and Whitney is spiraling down. 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 for making the smart

pros and cons,

warmth. “Did you delete my

then scoffed. “Did I? You

the news is painting her as a plagiarist. Do you want to

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

group looked

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

Stella said with

Stella’s obsequious behavior,

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

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Chapter 40

face tensed. She glanced at Whitney

in front of Whitney, and before Stella could act,

you were about to hit her. I’m so disappointed in you. From now on,

over

how dare you slap

up and grabbed Stella’s hair. “Touch Tiana, and I

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

Whitney who got you into the industry! You repay kindness with betrayal, and now you’re following Monica, thinking you’ll rise with her?”

to explode into a brawl when Monica, thoroughly entertained, signaled for one

scandalous news story of her causing a

seems to be the

a reservation? Why are they hogging the

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