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.

brows knitting together. “You’re being foolish, enduring all this for him. He’s about to get engaged to Elaine, do you think he has any room for you in his heart?”

care of him to

felt a tug at her heart. “No one asked you to

especially now that he’s in trouble, I can’t let go. I want

wiped away Whitney’s tears. “But he has Elaine. It’s strange, Elaine’s such an opportunist, and yet she sticks with him even after his downfall… Never mind, you

need, I didn’t come for the banquet. I’ll just wear a mask and

stunning, slender face. “You don’t need makeup to look

into the venue with the Invitation, donning a mask

and the

a sharp tuxedo, and Rylie,

the compliments of the elite, celebrating Orion’s new position.

of Imperial Gem Corporation, remember us when it comes

to the smart car industry

pride at the praise for his son. “Orion studied abroad and has a keen vision for the future of

looks like it’ll be

clenched her fists, fixating on the family

businessmen were speculating. “Will

era is over. If he

so much so that I wonder if Ludwik is

not be. Otherwise, how could Rylie have usurped Natalie so easily

“The only one who could rival Orion

monopolized the chip market for smart tech. Heard they’re unveiling a new product tonight. Most of us are here for that. Every business in Banyan,City needs those

without them, no machine can

head to the entrance. Has the owner of Skyfaith shown up? His

buzzed with anticipation, leaving

this hype; I want to see what this

advised, ‘Patience, son. Your car enterprise needs those smart chips. Make sure to forge a good relationship later.”

entrance was abuzz, and the room

the crowd, “Is

expressions frozen in shock and awe.

finding Ludwik, her hand tightly clutching the medicine Then,

in a sleek black suit that highlighted