Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 428

Sienna sourly remarked, "Florence, you're the best. You've snagged the top bachelor as your boyfriend, so you won't have to worry about anyone stealing your thunder." "How can you say that?" Florence responded with feigned innocence. "I'm just a sickly thing; how could I ever compare to you in looks? I adore your beauty too."

Her words seemed casual but struck right at Sienna's jealous heart, even Florence admired that despicable woman.

Florence cautioned, "Sienna, at tonight's event, please don't spill any secrets about my sister. It could ruin her reputation."

But Sienna narrowed her eyes, "I got it. I'll just share the juicy details of your whirlwind romance with Ludwik. It's the scoop of the year in Emperor City."

"Always the mischief-maker," Florence retorted.

Once Sienna left, Florence's eyes also narrowed.

Holly joined her, casting a glance at Sienna. "Florence, always playing it smart, using that naive girl to your advantage."

"She's just my pawn," Florence replied indifferently, pressing her perfectly shaped eyebrows. "Mom, are you really inviting Whitney to the welcoming party? I'm worried Ludwik will be distracted. Plus, Dad is clearly paving the way for her future, introducing her to high society..."

Holly and her daughter exchanged knowing looks.

"Do you think I'd let that little nobody smoothly enter the Sheldon Group? At the Lippert family's grand banquet, it's the perfect chance to ruin her. Once she's disgraced at the Lipperts', Jason will lose interest for good."

Holly's eyes gleamed. "Did you forget I still have some connections with Riley's wife?"

Florence remained silent, her eyes also scheming. "Mother, about the dress shopping..."

"Don't worry, dear. Do you think I don't know what you're implying? Tonight, you're the star. No one will overshadow you."

Florence smirked; her mother was indeed mistaken.

---

into the Sheldon family's estate, Holly greeted her warmly, "Whitney, tonight's Lippert family banquet is quite the affair. The dress you're wearing, bought from Banyan City, hardly seems appropriate. I've selected several exquisite gowns for you, worth

hidden taunt, Whitney

Adorned with jewels and shimmer, they were indeed pricey, albeit several

Lippert family, being the

aiming to make Whitney appear vulgar next to

wasn't worried; she was confident

gown, the most 'conservative' of the lot,

in the main house, immediately made a call, "Ms. Sheldon, she chose the red

her room, smirked,

small villa for over ten minutes, while Holly and

late, apologizing, "Miss, I'm sorry for the delay. There was an issue at the company, Mr. Hudson asked me to bring you

to the hilltop took about ten minutes. Even Whitney, who had seen her fair share of luxury, was impressed

a backdrop and a lake at the front, the massive estate glowed

family's villa, the subtle music filled the

her bag to the doorman and stepped inside, only

in red,

sneered internally. She had

early, with the excuse of a sudden company

was already in the

Florence was eager to meet

about women's fashion, but even he could

ladies present were all models of

was the most tasteful option available. The rest were either too short or too revealing. I thought this wouldn't

'tasteful', subtly criticizing the selection, which made Hudson glare at Holly, "What were you

Whitney dresses worth millions! Whitney, don't wrong me. There were more modest options, but you specifically chose this red, shoulder-baring one. Did you see Florence in red and decide to dress festively too? But

skillfully dragged Florence into the conversation,