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

I’m on 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

the pros

warmth. “Did you delete my files from my

“Did I? You have

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

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

group looked down on Whitney and

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

you, Monica,” Stella said with a

by Stella’s obsequious behavior, Tiana

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

1/3

Chapter 40

tensed. She glanced at Whitney and

before Stella could act, she slapped her across the

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

over

dare you

grabbed Stella’s hair.

of high society, knowing my family was struggling, with a little help from you, I could have been a star

you into the

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

story of her causing a scene in the

the problem here?” The manager arrived

pointed arrogantly, “Those two rabid dogs over there, do they have a reservation? Why are they hogging

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