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.

to get engaged

not well,” Whitney said with a bittersweet smile. “I’m taking care of him to atone

at her

trouble, I

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

wear a mask and keep

slender face. “You don’t need makeup to look more beautiful.

venue with the Invitation, donning a mask

the banquet

Orion, a striking figure. Kaden, dressed in a sharp tuxedo, and Rylie,

the compliments of

congratulations! As the new CEO of Imperial Gem Corporation, remember us when

the smart

beaming with pride at the praise for his son. “Orion studied abroad

looks like it’ll be dominated by

fixating on the family

were speculating. “Will

his head “Family feuds are brutal. Ludwik’s era is over. If he shows up, he’s

so that I wonder

from years ago suggested he might not be. Otherwise, how could Rylie have usurped Natalie

But the conversation quickly shifted. “The only one who could rival

tonight. Most of us are here for

them, no machine

owner of Skyfaith shown up? His net worth

buzzed with anticipation, leaving Orion’s side,

this hype; I want to see what this old

needs those smart chips. Make sure to forge

entrance was abuzz, and the room

crowd, “Is it the owner of

turned, their expressions frozen in shock

Ludwik, her hand tightly clutching the medicine Then, from the corner of

towering height, impeccable in a sleek black suit that highlighted his broad