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?”

manager in his pocket, trying to make

coolly, “No

at her office, Whitney pored over Castor’s files and called Tiana, “Hey

single executive reported to

quiet, a clear sign that she was being sidelined, with no way to take

anxious, thinking, “What if the CEO asks about this tomorrow? Ms. Whitney hasn’t been able to integrate into the

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

notified you. He’s clearly not taking you seriously,” Harper said

19-10

up, and Tiana’s ‘information‘ came through just then. She scanned it, and a sly smile curved her lips. “If Castor won’t

the 48th floor, the meeting room was set for the five–star hotel project

took

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

cold laughter came through on the other end. “Make sure she doesn’t 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

her words, Castor felt a surge

meeting room. “Let’s start the hotel

hesitated, “The hotel project is significant. Not

A pregnant woman coming to listen to gibberish? We can’t let her jeopardize a hundred–billion–dollar project!” Castor

manager did not dare say another word.

room door swung open, and a woman in sleek business attire walked in, her smile calm and collected. “Has the meeting started? I hope I’m not late, Castor.

taken aback by Whitney’s presence, momentarily cowed by her commanding air, reminiscent of Mr. Lippert’s.

“Whitney, this is a major project the CEO cares deeply about. I hear you’re in the jewelry business. Now, you’re

in agreement upon hearing that her expertise was

and

the meeting just for show, treating a huge project like

the meeting. If you’re so

in the corner was akin to being relegated to the sidelines, and

unfazed, walked over to Castor’s seat, glanced at the nameplate, and said with a smile, “This is the VP’s

waiting for a response, she unceremoniously pushed Castor out

guard and furious, scrambled up, ready to confront her.

a pregnant woman?” Whitney’s cold gaze stopped him in his

to the CEO, Castor’s heart sank, and he

the room, “Let’s proceed with the meeting. Continue your