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.

flourish. She scanned the room. "Your new company? If my memory serves me right, it

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

reassured the

eventually liquidated. Elaine's willingness to take over the company, backed by Mr. Lippert's power, promised a soaring comeback for Skye

it out instead of cashing in their shares with

for

impatience. "Some people, I don't understand why they bother coming back. Do you even have

Ltd. crumbled and

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

leave, you're out of place here!

chimed in one after

into a barely

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 so old that you're bending over for him now?

Everyone knew what Ludwik had done to Skye Gem Ltd., but to businessmen, profit was king. Whoever could make them the most money

The

bought Skye Gem Ltd., it's none of

trouble and don't blame us for being ruthless. The security will

Ms. Valentine, you need to face reality. Ludwik adores me. He's legally procured the company to give to me. Rest assured, I'll manage it

you so polite to her?

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

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

voices of support for Elaine, as the old shareholders practically tripped

them with a cold laugh. Three years ago, when she and Ludwik were in the midst of

who had sold

had sabotaged Skye Gem Ltd. three years

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 given Elaine, but what I have here is a legally

Hadn't Elaine said last