Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 45

What was with that jerk? Just leaving like that was bad enough, but to send food? And then to insult her with

She was fumina

With a forced smile, she said through gritted teeth, “Thanks for making the trip, Parker. But… has my friend Tiana left siready?”

“No idea,” he replied nonchalantly.

A bit embarrassed, Whitney asked, “She’s a girl on her own. Would you mind giving her a lift, Parker, if it’s not too much trouble?”

“No trouble,” Parker said almost too easily.

Before leaving, he paused at the door, his eyes behind the gold–rimmed glasses betraying a lazy indifference. He dropped a bombshell. Is Tiana’s fiancé Gunner Lutz, the one from the Lutz family?”

Whitney was taken aback, but Parker added with a hint of mischief before she could respond, “Ran into Gunner at the hotel last week playing with some celebrity.”

Being a man, the implications of ‘playing‘ were clear.

Whitney was shocked. Was Tiana’s fiancé cheating on her?

Parker had mentioned it casually, not really concerned with the lesser–known Tiana’s family, but the Lutz clan was among the top four wealthiest families. He had seen Gunner before–a notorious playboy.

The next day, Whitney received a Facebook message from Tiana telling her to ignore the news.

Whitney guessed that her reputation must be boiling over by now. No doubt Monica had bought a legion of trolls to drag her name through the mud.

This debacle was Monica’s golden ticket to fame and fortune.

To distract Whitney, Tiana sent over several pictures of engagement rings.

Bashfully, she said, “That bastard Gunner proposed to me. I didn’t want to say yes, but our parents are pushing it. Whitney, can you help me choose? Or better yet, design a rock so big it makes him really pay!”

Whitney suddenly remembered Parker’s reminder.

might badmouth Gunner, but she was still hopeful about their

hoped Parker was mistaken, or maybe Gunner was just

seriously considered several options before

laughing. “Dear Whitney, your husband

surprised. Had L come home last night? She thought he was off

at her lips, one she did not even notice, as she

were still things to do. The breakthrough in her plagiarism case hinged on Stella confessing she had given Whitney’s

to confront Monica but had instead focused on dragging Stella into

פוד

evidence, the outcome

would be at the Golden Hue Bar tonight before leaving town for a

taunting call

Phebe praised my talents today. She’s over your little games, you wretch. Once the prize is mine, it’ll be time for my

Whitney replied,

if she wanted to find

Whitney arrived

Monica’s celebration, and the Perlman family was well

daughter of the family, Falth Perlman. They were clearly there to pave the way for Monica’s integration into

son Simon would not have caught Wyatt’s eye, bolstered

the same mother as Troy, was determined

these

suite where young men were carousing. There was Troy, and Faith, stern–faced,

corridor, behind which muffled voices could be heard, “Gunner, please

you like it, you

Gunner?

Tiana’s fiancé!

lied; this

over and

guard, paused their

was palpable when she

but turned into a cold

friend, Gunner tried to push Stella

provocatively at Whitney, “Fancy seeing you here. Who are you looking for? Tiana’s fiancé, dear Gunner, or

her fist, thinking of Tiana’s happiness earlier that day,

was itching to