Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Tiana chuckled lightly it’s all just a show, you know? He’s probably deliberately trying to rile you up. Didn’t you notice how, with just a lift of his brow, Parker had everyone in the suite snuff out their cigarettes? He’s clearly looking out for you because of your pregnancy”

Really?

Whitney had to admire Tiana’s ability to turn a dire situation into something light–hearted with her silver tongue.

Whitney, care to join me for a game?” Parker called out.

Meanwhile, the aloof man sat on the sofa, sipping the cocktail a lovely lady had handed him, his gaze unreadable

Feeling an irrational surge of defiance, Whitney sat and began playing cards with Parker.

By the second hand, Parker excused himself, “Bro, I’ve gotta hit the restroom. Mind stepping in for me?” Whitney would have to be oblivious not to see through this thinly veiled excuse.

Her fingers tensed.

However, she saw the man rise gracefully and approach.

As he took his place across the table, his commanding presence made Whitney’s breath catch, as if his very aura enveloped her.

Tiana then sneakily positioned herself behind Whitney.

As the third game started and the man laid down his cards, it was Whitney’s turn. Just as she was about to make her move, Tiana swiftly played another card instead.

That’s a good one! Tiana said.

Whitney glanced at her hand – it was a complete setup for defeat. She glared at Tiana as if saying with her eyes, “Are you blind?”

From then on, Tiana wreaked havoc, and Whitney could not tell if the man’s card skills were just superior or if her luck had plummeted, but she kept losing miserably.

Tiana teased, “Mr. L, are you doing this on purpose? You really seem to be hard on Whitney tonight!” “Have I been ‘hard‘ on her?” He finally looked up, directing his first glance of the evening at Whitney His tone was cool, yet the deep timbre of his voice was unintentionally suggestive.

“Hard on me…” Whitney felt her cheeks flame at the thought.

Then, she saw Parker return and immediately declared, “I’m out.”

Tiana mocked, “You’re quitting after all those losses? Since when have I had such a loser of a friend?”

“How much did Ms. Valentine lose?” Parker picked up the ledger, an eyebrow raised, “Ms. Valentine, you owe him a cool five million.”

What?

Whitney had not realized the stakes were so high; a million a game, and she did not have that kind of money!

Feeling the eyes in the room on her, she turned to Tiana in panic, “This is all your fault. Do you have a credit card on you?”

Tiana turned ruthless. “I ain’t got no money! You lost to him, so just beg your dear Mr. L for mercy. Maybe he’ll let you off the hook.”

17-57

Chapter 42

wide and watery,

cold and unyielding, with

not want to beg, it was she who insisted on setting boundaries, and he was right to enforce them. It stung, but she

on, just say something nice to him,” Tiana nudged

man, Whitney was about to speak when another shove sent her tumbling into

hell?” She glared at

bad!” Tiana

man remained still, his long

She was transfixed by the warmth of his chest,

she seemed a little dull, with

dullness, distinct from her earlier defiance, was almost

her fingers clutching at his shirt, his eyes darkened slightly, and with a mocking tone, he taunted, “Can’t seem to let go, huh? Fallen

Whitney’s embarrassment turned to anger as she tried

her, his hand reaching forward to play a card. What did this mean? Whitney froze

filled

–

continued from the men nearby. “He sure knows how to play with a beauty in his arms, no

at

let things

his arms, her face aflame,

use the restroom, she squirmed

looked down at

everyone, Whitney leaned in

pee.

point because of her urgency, her words, especially “pee, hung in the air, resonating in

mischievous impulse

that?” He asked, pretending

114

embarrassment intensifying, Whitney leaned even closer and hissed, “I really need to

curved in amusement, and he let

Whitney dashed away.

from the restroom, she

and Parker had

the suite empty; the game was abandoned,

the window, a cigarette between

it as she approached.

“Where did everyone go?”

your little scheme? Conspiring

wall, his tone icy, “Enjoying this

chill caught Whitney off guard, “Mr.

here you are, trying to

misunderstood the whole evening’s

by a cold resolve. She sidestepped his arm and explained without warmth, “I have no plans to seduce you, Sir. I lost a competition today and was upset enough, I don’t need to add

Her heart sank further.

she was

irritating him for days, and now, instead of softening

her, “Upset over a competition and taking it out on me? Isn’t losing normal for you, especially when I coached the theme? Your

contemplating whether her confidence was mistaken for arrogance. Did he truly understand her

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