Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 139

Whitney’s breath hitched as the man’s brooding exhalation traveled across the phone line. He didn’t hung up which meant he’d give her a few seconds to explain

“Listen, this is the last time I went to see him Whitney rushed to explain. “I needed to retrieve a family heirloom from him, something of my grandpa’s. Then I have to track down my uncle. He’s all the family I have left. And I’ve got it now, so can you please not get all jealous?”

The man on the other end paused, his voice still frosty. “Looking for family? Fine, I’ll forgive you. Now get yourself home!

“I’m on my way,” she muttered, driving with a mixture of irritation and resignation. “You’re being paranoid. Everyone has some secrets, and you’ve already dug into mine. But you…”

Whitney trailed off, her thoughts suddenly snagging on something Elaine had said before leaving–something utterly baffling

She’d hinted that ‘L‘ was harboring a secret about someone who had once saved his life.

Whitney pursed her lips, blurting out without thinking, “And speaking of the past, what about you? Do you harbor someone in your heart?”

Silence came from the other end of the line.

Then the flight attendant’s announcement filtered through.

Felix reminded him that it was time to board his plane.

His response to Whitney was clipped. “Enough talk. I’m off on a business trip. While I’m gone, stay out of

trouble.”

And with that, he hung up.

Whitney stared at her phone, her delicate brows knitting together. Did he react to her question, or was he hiding something?

Could there really be such a saviour in his life? Or maybe Elaine was just stirring the pot? Whitney let out a sigh, realizing there was no point in clinging to his past.

Resolved, she pressed down harder on the gas pedal, her spirits lifting as she drove.

Back at the villa, Whitney pulled out the small, well–worn contact book from her bag, cradling it like a precious relic. She stroked its cover, her eyes welling up with tears.

was like seeing her grandpa and mother in person

when Whitney was sent abroad for middle school. By the

been searching for her grandpa’s personal assistant, Torin, but to no avail. But it was Simon who had found her

a reputation that preceded him and extensive properties. Not adept with computers,

deeply and slowly opened

her grandpa’s handwriting. Her eyes burnt with fresh tears.

thin, with several pages clearly

if her grandpa had ripped them out or if someone else had.

1/4

went straight to look for her uncle’s

a name “Keegan“. Below it

remembered playing letter puzzles with her grandpa as a child, and quickly decoded the

trembled as the numbers came to life on

page.

had her grandpa hidden it? Was he protecting

Whitney dialed the number.

held her breath as the call connected, and a voice spoke through the veil of time, “Is that

her uncle’s

tears flowed freely, and she nodded vigorously, “Uncle Keegan,

joy and sorrow, almost quivering. “Whitney, you finally called. Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting for you?

been waiting for her all this

abroad. He said when you grew up, if you could find this number, it would mean you were ready to stand by me and fight with me. Whitney, our family has a heavy score

hit Whitney’s brain.

uncle know the reason behind her grandpa and mother’s deaths? Were they killed

found you now. When are you coming

month of treatment, but I’ll make it back for your mother and grandpa’s anniversary,” her uncle replied with a mix of excitement

of the past. “Uncle, what

through these years. But now that I’ve found you, I’ll explain everything to you when I return. Wait

ended the call, still unsure of

seemed reluctant to elaborate, but she had finally connected with her only remaining relative.

her uncle’s number to her phone, Whitney continued to flip through the contact book. Her grandpa had recorded various business contacts and memos.

the end, one name kept