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 this?” Tiana

no such thing as forever friends. Among the Valentine sisters, the rising star is Monica, and I’m only weighing the pros

pros

her heart shedding the last threads of warmth. “Did you delete my files from my computer? Did you leak my designs to Monica

“Did I?

Whitney’s trust to sabotage her career! Now, the news is painting her as a plagiarist. Do you want to ruin her

it wasn’t for Whitney’s trust, how could I have achieved my goals?” As they spoke, Monica

group looked down

the lead role. You’re on your way

you, Monica,” Stella

Stella’s obsequious behavior,

need to prove your loyalty. Slap Whitney right here and drive her out. The Royal One Club is no

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Chapter 40

She glanced at

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

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

over

naive fool, how dare you slap me?” Stella

sharp as she stood up and grabbed Stella’s hair. “Touch Tiana, and I

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 in Hollywood. You can’t stand to see me climb over you, so

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

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

Whitney got humiliated enough, maybe even a scandalous news story of her causing

the problem here?”

two rabid dogs over there, do they have a reservation? Why are they hogging the room?

Tiana. “They