Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 184

“I’ve got no interest in your nauseating love games.”

Valerie curled her lip, casting a cold, mocking glance at him. “Ashton, she’s practically engaged, yet here she is, fixing your tie, keeping you on a string. Face it, she’s just stringing you along as her backup plan. Ever think of that? Or is your head too thick?”

Ashton froze, stung by the insult.

Today, Valerie was clad in an ice–blue evening gown that accentuated her aloof elegance. Her face was bare save for the striking red of her lipstick.

He narrowed his eyes, intending to grab her and give her a piece of his mind.

But Valerie twisted away, repulsed by the scent of Elaine’s perfume clinging to him. His hand was hot, though, as it encircled her wrist. Valerie’s eyes flashed frostily. “Let go, I’m leaving!”

“You’re my wife, where do you think you’re going?” Ashton’s eyes gleamed with the thrill of seeing her so riled

Up

“You never treated me like a wife. You never took me to any event before, and today, for some bizarre reason, you want me here. But thanks anyway.” Valerie spat out the words with sarcasm and left.

Thanks? Ashton was baffled. It was Elaine who had mentioned bringing Valerie, and that’s why he had.

Outside the hotel doors, Valerie wrapped herself in her coat and made a beeline for the corner.

Whitney stepped out of the car, handing her an invitation.

“Thanks, Valerie, but can’t you go back in?”

“Nope, it’s one person per card. You will take my place.”

Valerie gripped Whitney’s hand, her expression darkening. “Whitney, you’ve been keeping secrets! Mr. Lippert is pushing you toward divorce, and you’re still looking out for him? What were you up to yesterday?”

Whitney stiffened. “Who told you this?”

“I overheard Elaine and Ashton talking. What’s your plan?”

Whitney’s face paled, realizing she couldn’t keep it hidden any longer. She briefly explained the events of the previous day.

enduring all this for him. He’s about to get

smile. “I’m taking care of him

a tug at her heart. “No one

in trouble, I can’t let go. I want to help him.”

yet she sticks with him even after his downfall… Never mind, you better change into your dress and touch up

for the banquet. I’ll just wear a mask and

head, pinching her friend’s naturally stunning, slender face. “You don’t need makeup to look more beautiful. You’re a natural, go on

donning a mask

began, and the banquet

tuxedo, and Rylie, now Mrs. Lippert, elegantly beautiful, flanked him on

of the elite, celebrating Orion’s

Imperial Gem Corporation, remember us when it comes to future collaborations.”

the smart car industry under Imperial Ger. That’s

pride at the praise for his son. “Orion studied abroad and has

it’ll be dominated by the

on the

“Will Ludwik show up?”

over. If

favorites, so much so that I wonder if Ludwik is even

be. Otherwise, how could Rylie have usurped Natalie so easily

about? But the conversation quickly shifted. “The only one who

Heard they’re unveiling a new product tonight.

them, no machine

entrance. Has the owner of Skyfaith shown up? His net worth is

leaving Orion’s side, which quickly emptied.

darkened. All this hype; I want to see what

smart

was abuzz, and the room

the crowd, “Is it the owner

turned, their expressions frozen in shock and awe. “It’s… it’s him!”

clutching the medicine Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw a

that highlighted his broad shoulders and lean legs, stood