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.

together. “You’re being foolish, enduring all this for him. He’s about to get engaged to Elaine, do you

him to atone for

the moisture in Whitney’s eyes, Valerie felt a tug at her heart.

I can’t let go. I want to help him.”

she sticks with him even after his downfall… Never mind,

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

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

the Invitation, donning a

summit began, and the banquet hall was bustling..

a sharp tuxedo, and Rylie, now Mrs. Lippert, elegantly beautiful, flanked him on either side.

basking in the compliments of the elite, celebrating Orion’s new

Gem Corporation,

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

“Orion studied abroad and has

future looks like it’ll be dominated by the Lipperts!”

fixating on the family

businessmen were speculating. “Will

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

wonder if Ludwik is

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

quickly shifted. “The only one

tech. Heard they’re unveiling a new product tonight. Most of us are here for that. Every business in

them, no machine

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

crowd buzzed with anticipation, leaving Orion’s

I want to see what this

those smart chips. Make

was abuzz, and the

“Is

in shock and

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

in a sleek black suit that highlighted his broad shoulders