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.

him. He’s about to get engaged to Elaine, do you think he has any room for you in

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

a tug at her heart.

in trouble, I can’t let

an opportunist, and yet she sticks with him even after his downfall… Never mind, you better change into your

just wear a mask and keep an eye on him from the sidelines,” Whitney insisted.

her friend’s naturally stunning, slender face. “You don’t need makeup to look more beautiful.

rushed into the venue with the Invitation, donning a mask to hide in the corner.

and the

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

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

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

the smart car

for his son. “Orion studied abroad and has a keen vision for the future of tech.”

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

her fists, fixating on the family of

“Will Ludwik show up?”

“Family feuds are brutal. Ludwik’s era is over. If he shows

so much so that I wonder

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

perked up. What were they talking about? But the conversation quickly shifted. “The only one

tonight. Most of us are here for that. Every business in Banyan,City

them, no machine can run.

head to the entrance. Has the owner of Skyfaith shown

leaving Orion’s side,

to see what this old man looks like.”

son. Your car enterprise needs those smart chips. Make sure

the room then fell

the crowd, “Is it the owner

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

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

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