Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 133

Whitney glanced at him and chose a chair to sit down. “Castor, like you said, ‘used to‘. Are you just helping everyone to remember that Elaine has already left the company?”

“You…” Castor’s face darkened, and then he added, “This booth is full, Whitney. Perhaps you should find another spot.”

Whitney looked up nonchalantly. “Since you claim it’s a booth reserved for the VP, and you’re not on that level, maybe you should find another seat.”

Castor glared at Whitney, his face turning a shade of steel, and with a huff, he beckoned his entourage to another booth.

Whitney’s eyes swept over the remaining executives, noting who was in Castor’s inner circle.

In the next booth over, Castor’s secretary fumed. “Word on the street is Whitney’s the mistress who climbed to the top. She elbowed Elaine out, and now she’s trying to overshadow Castor.”

Another employee, out of the loop, asked, “Mistress who climbed to the top?”

That was when Castor’s secretary filled them in. “Haven’t you heard about the scandal a few days ago? Elaine had been engaged to the CEO for years, and Whitney just waltzed in and took her spot. Now she’s even trying to snatch Elaine’s job.”

“That’s outrageous.”

“Her? Trying to be the VP? She doesn’t have half of Elaine’s talent.”

As the employees started gossiping, Castor smirked from the sidelines.

The soundproofing between the booths was poor, and Whitney could hear every word from the other side.

Feeling awkward, her assistant, Harper, suggested, “Ms. Whitney, maybe we should go give them a piece of our mind?”

Whitney clenched her fists, coldly pocketed her voice recorder, and shook her head. “Patience, Harper.”

She ordered two light dishes.

But after waiting for half an hour, the food still had not arrived.

Harper went to inquire and came back fuming. “The restaurant manager said there was a mix–up–they served our food to Castor’s booth.”

Whitney narrowed her eyes. “Such a precise mistake?”

the restaurant manager in his pocket, trying to make you look bad. With

stood up and said coolly, “No matter, we can just order

over Castor’s files and called Tiana, “Hey Tiana, could you dig up some dirt for me?”

a single executive reported to Whitney.

was eerily quiet, a clear sign that she was being sidelined, with no

CEO asks about this tomorrow? Ms. Whitney hasn’t been able to integrate into

she checked her schedule and asked, “Is it three o’clock already? Isn’t it time for

Castor hasn’t notified you. He’s clearly not

19-10

and a sly smile curved her lips. “If Castor won’t notify me, I’ll just attend the meeting myself. Which floor is it on?”

room was set for the five–star hotel

executives took their

was in a secluded part of the hallway, on the phone, boasting, “Elaine, I’ve had Whitney on ice since this morning. She was the laughingstock at lunch, and I’ve spread the news about her affair. Even if she stays at

attend. Tell the CEO she’s clueless about real estate. He won’t blame you. He’ll just see her as an obstacle. The worse her reputation at the company, the more incompetent she appears, the sooner I can return. Go ahead and do it. I’ll promote you when I’m back.”

words, Castor felt

to the meeting room. “Let’s start the hotel

hesitated, “The hotel project

pregnant woman coming to listen to gibberish? We can’t let her

dare say another word.

and collected. “Has the meeting started? I hope I’m

presence, momentarily cowed by her commanding air,

major project the CEO cares deeply about. I hear you’re in the jewelry business. Now,

with Whitney’s capabilities, nodded in agreement upon hearing that

and oranges.”

chair the meeting just for show,

you joining the meeting. If you’re so keen on staying, why don’t you just listen from the corner?”

corner was akin to being relegated to the sidelines, and

the nameplate, and said with a smile, “This is the VP’s seat. Castor, get

unceremoniously pushed Castor out of the chair!

guard and furious, scrambled up, ready

a pregnant woman?” Whitney’s

sank, and he sat down, his face a

up and addressed the room, “Let’s proceed with the meeting. Continue your discussion.”