Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 267

"Call me anytime if you need anything," Bryce said, his words few but his tone solid.

After ending the call, Whitney carefully placed a mask over her son's face, ensuring it fit snugly, and carried him into the private elevator.

As the floors passed by, the light indicators showed that each one was bustling with activity. Even the offices of key executives and shareholders were stirring with the beginnings of a workday. Whitney's smile tightened into a cold curve as she reached the top floor. Stepping out of the elevator, she caught a glimpse of Elaine's back as she entered the boardroom.

Quickly setting her son down, Whitney's expression shifted as she pulled out her car keys. "Honey, you're such a smart cookie. Do you know how to get to the car and hide?" Danny sensed the urgency in his mom's voice and nodded.

"Mommy will be back in ten minutes. Now, scoot to the car and play, but stay safe!" Whitney instructed hastily.

The little guy turned and hurried back to the elevator.

Whitney straightened up, took a deep breath, and, with the click of her high heels, made a beeline for the shareholders' office.

Upon entering, she found the old shareholders and Elaine laughing and joking, blatantly buttering her up.

"Elaine, under your leadership, Skye Gem Ltd. is sure to get back on track. A bright new future awaits the company!" one said with enthusiasm.

"I've always heard about Elaine's remarkable ability to manage. It's no wonder the boss holds you in such high regard. Congratulations on your upcoming good fortune," chimed another. "Elaine, I've brought you this ginseng, a rare delicacy from abroad. Please..."

"Looks like everyone's here," Whitney interrupted with a sneer.

Elaine, basking in the flattery, glanced up at Whitney and felt a block in her throat.

Ludwik hadn't come home last night, and this morning, after checking his sports car's GPS log, she found a new address - one linked to this wretched woman's apartment!

But at this moment, Elaine felt a surge of satisfaction.

With a feigned smile, she said, "Ms. Valentine, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit to my new company?"

Her words were laced with hidden barbs.

down with a flourish. She scanned the room. "Your new company? If my memory serves me right, it was just last night that I personally paid the auction house to redeem Skye Gem Ltd." Elaine brushed off imaginary dust and glanced

as ever, laughed. "Ms. Valentine, the boss adores Elaine. He's wealthy and influential; securing the

reassured the shareholders

years, their stakes in Skye Gem Ltd. had been frozen and eventually liquidated. Elaine's willingness to take over the company, backed by Mr. Lippert's power, promised a soaring comeback for Skye Gem

of this development early on and had waited it out instead of cashing in

thing they wanted was for Whitney

Skye Gem Ltd., spoke up with impatience. "Some people, I don't understand why

Gem Ltd. crumbled

you also vanished without a trace for three years. Now that there's a glimpse of hope for the company, you have the gall to

of place here! If

old guards chimed in one after another,

lips curled into a barely concealed

Mr. Percy. "Three years ago, Skye Gem Ltd. was pushed to the brink of bankruptcy under Ludwik's coercion. I thought it was common knowledge that Ludwik is our mutual enemy. Have you all grown

knew what Ludwik had done to Skye Gem Ltd., but to businessmen, profit was king. Whoever

stepped forward. "Cut the crap. The bottom line is, Whitney, you mismanaged

Gem Ltd., it's none of your business anymore. Still

for being ruthless.

Valentine was the former CEO, after all. She might still be attached to the company. But Ms. Valentine, you need to face reality. Ludwik adores me. He's legally procured the company to give to me.

are you so polite to her? You're

heard Whitney even confronted you last night. She's done so many terrible things to you before. You're really

utterly useless. Why are you still lingering here? If I were you, I'd

for Elaine, as the old

years ago, when she and Ludwik were in the midst of a divorce and Skye Gem Ltd. was in trouble, these were the same people clamoring to sell

who had sold

Elaine, she had sabotaged Skye Gem Ltd.

years, Whitney had no intention of letting the company fall into Elaine's

pulled out the auction agreement from her bag and slapped it on the table. "I'm not sure what backdoor Mr. Lippert has

Elaine said last