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.”

you become like

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

pros

threads of warmth. “Did you delete my files

“Did

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

I have achieved my goals?” As they spoke, Monica entered with

group looked down

“Stella, Director Kyler will give you the lead role. You’re

Monica,” Stella

Stella’s obsequious behavior, Tiana

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

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Chapter 40

She glanced at Whitney

before Stella could act, she slapped her across

her. I’m so

over

you slap me?” Stella

stood up and grabbed Stella’s hair. “Touch

you try,” Stella 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

us for not helping enough when it was Whitney who got you into the industry! You repay kindness

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

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

what seems to be the problem

a reservation? Why are they hogging the room? I have my eye on this room for

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