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.

being foolish, enduring all this for him. He’s about to

care of him to atone for my uncle’s sins. And, I just can’t

a tug at

that he’s in trouble, I can’t let go.

opportunist, and yet she sticks with him even after his

I didn’t come for the banquet. I’ll just wear a mask and keep an eye on

don’t need makeup to

with the Invitation, donning a mask to hide

and the banquet

center stood Orion, a striking figure. Kaden, dressed in a sharp tuxedo, and Rylie, now Mrs. Lippert,

the compliments of the elite,

Gem Corporation, remember us when

push to the smart car industry under Imperial Ger. That’s cutting edger

studied abroad and has a keen vision for the future of tech.”

industry’s future looks like it’ll

on the family of

speculating. “Will Ludwik show

If he shows up, he’s just asking

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

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

were they talking about? But the conversation quickly shifted. “The only one who could rival Orion tonight is the reclusive owner of Skyfaith

unveiling a new product tonight. Most of us

without them, no

Has the owner of Skyfaith shown up? His

crowd buzzed with anticipation, leaving Orion’s side, which quickly emptied.

face darkened. All this hype; I want to see what this old man looks like.”

needs those smart chips. Make sure to forge a

abuzz, and the room then fell eerily

“Is

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

preoccupied with finding Ludwik, her hand tightly clutching the medicine Then, from the corner of her eye,

man of towering height, impeccable in a sleek black suit that highlighted his broad shoulders and lean legs, stood revealed in