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

watery, turned to the

looked back, cold and unyielding, with no room

not want to beg, it was she who insisted on setting boundaries, and he was right to enforce

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

about to speak when another shove sent

She glared at

my bad!” Tiana feigned an

his long legs

transfixed by the warmth of his chest, visible under the crisp, inviting

and she seemed a little

distinct from her

eyes darkened slightly, and with a mocking tone, he taunted, “Can’t seem to let go, huh? Fallen for these legs

Whitney’s embarrassment turned to anger

his arm subtly wrapped around her, his hand reaching forward to play a card. What did this mean? Whitney froze in his embrace, her skin flushing

laughter filled

–

“He sure knows how to play with a beauty

at

things

her face aflame, knowing they had the wrong idea.

restroom, she squirmed

down

out loud in front of everyone, Whitney leaned in and whispered awkwardly, “I need

pee.

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

impulse struck

He asked, pretending

114

closer

amusement, and he let

Whitney dashed away.

the restroom,

and Parker

find the suite empty; the game was

imposing man stood by the window,

extinguished it as she approached.

“Where did everyone go?”

mocking, “lan’t this your little scheme? Conspiring with your best friend, playing the

cornered her against the wall, his tone icy, “Enjoying this little cat–and–mouse game,

guard, “Mr. L,

coy after denying me the other night, now here you are,

he had misunderstood the

his arm and explained without warmth, “I have no plans to seduce you, Sir. I lost a

Her heart sank further.

thinking she was now picking

had been irritating him for days, and now, instead of softening and

you, especially when I coached the theme? Your youthful arrogance blinds you to the fact that

stood silently momentarily, contemplating whether her confidence was

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