Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 135

Simon’s silhouette was etched in shadow as he gazed at her, a pang of panic–flavored pain shooting through his heart.

“That’s the only thing have left from your Grandpa, and if I give it to you, you’ll kick me to the curb, Whitney…I admit, I realized too late. I know now that it’s you I deeply love, not Monica. Can’t you give me another chance?” He stepped forward, reaching out to take her delicate hand.

Whitney recoiled coolly, avoiding his grasp, and met his gaze with a hint of mockery. “If I hadn’t taken back Skye Gem, you’d surely not be professing love for me now. The moment Monica stepped down, your affections shifted so quickly. Now you claim to love me, yet you’re courting Scarlett.”

Simon’s mind raced back to the gala at Joyful Manor, where he had appeared with Scarlett, all witnessed by Whitney.

He clutched his head in torment. “It was my mother’s doing. For the sake of the inheritance, I had no choice. I was wrong, Whitney. I was fooled by Monica’s hypocritical facade. That’s why I mistreated you. But Scarlett is just a front. Just give me some time, leave that masked man at your side. Do you even know who he really is? How can you follow such a dangerous man? Come back to me.”

Whitney found him utterly despicable and no longer cared to entertain his pleas. Standing up, she asked, “You won’t give me the contact book, will you?”

“I won’t–not unless you come back to me!” Simon was adamant.

“Simon, tomorrow is the deadline.” Whitney’s eyes were icy as she turned and walked away.

Once in her car, she pondered momentarily before calling a trusted manager at Skye Gem. “Contact Troy and Faith Perlman tonight. Tell them the Skye Gem board has ousted Simon and that we’re interested in a partnership with Troy’s company. Invite them to the office tomorrow.”

The manager hesitated but quickly grasped Whitney’s intent to confront Simon and promptly set out to arrange the meeting.

Whitney then texted Tiana, [Can you get me Scarlett’s number?]

Tiana was puzzled. Scarlett was Simon’s recent date, right? But she immediately responded: [Whitney, what are you plotting now?]

Whitney massaged her temples; she was not plotting. She was desperate to retrieve the contact book and reach out to her uncle, her only remaining family.

arrived early at United Realty Corporation the next morning, waiting

him. He said L would be

details and timed their

nine, the office

and bruised, stormed in, pointing an accusing finger at Whitney. “You released that video yesterday, didn’t you? Just as

together the debacle after getting home and

her desk, giving a

yesterday’s company

become the talk of the entire company, casting a shadow on our reputation. Now, you’re dragging

victim with me! You think I don’t know your game? You pushed Elaine out, and now you’re targeting me? I won’t go down without a fight!” Castor was livid, moving to confront

Whitney, but

control, grabbed Whitney’s arm just as the door opened again. Felix stepped aside to reveal a tall and imposing

you doing? Ludwik’s

intimidating CEO and stumbled backward, releasing Whitney. The towering man approached her, his brow furrowed with concern for her well–being, before turning his icy gaze back to Castor. “What did you want to do to my

sir, that your wife deliberately released my private video at the meeting yesterday. She humiliated me, tarnishing my reputation and jeopardizing the hotel group’s project. That’s why I

He circled Whitney’s face, aware of

uneasy–after all, she had

you have no evidence to accuse me of sabotaging

“You…”

against the desk, he commanded

and I know I’m just a minor manager, but I’ve contributed to the company. My private life doesn’t interfere with my professional abilities. Please, be

“Causing damage to the company’s image, Castor, that’s a very

people in this firm know about the incident, and I swear it won’t leak from me. It won’t hurt the company’s

have seen the video of you hitting your wife. They’re livid, and they’re tearing you apart on social media. You’re infamous now.” Whitney smirked as she showed him