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.

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affair. The dress you're wearing, bought from Banyan City, hardly seems appropriate. I've selected several exquisite gowns for you, worth millions, and placed them on your bed. Go

a hidden taunt, Whitney

dresses laid out on the bed and couldn't help but laugh at their extravagance. Adorned with jewels and shimmer, they were indeed pricey, albeit several seasons old. Now, they'd barely fetch a fraction of their original price. Ah, the colors and styles - bright red, hot pink, lemon yellow - either

Lippert family, being the most prestigious, likely preferred

into this setup, aiming to make Whitney appear

worried; she was

red off-shoulder gown, the most 'conservative' of the lot, and headed

house, immediately made a call, "Ms. Sheldon, she

in her

a small villa for over ten minutes, while Holly and her

There was an issue at the company, Mr. Hudson asked me to bring you directly to the mansion." Whitney

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

a lake at the front, the massive estate glowed with

villa, the subtle

only

dressed in red, they were embarrassingly

sneered internally. She

Florence and her mother had left early, with the excuse

father was already in the

were picking out dresses and Florence was eager to meet Ludwik, so they went ahead... But why did you choose this

much about women's fashion, but even he could tell this

ladies present were all models of grace

the most tasteful option available. The rest were either too short or too revealing. I thought this

subtly criticizing the selection, which made Hudson glare at Holly, "What were you thinking, choosing these dresses

innocence, "Husband, I chose 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 your choice is far more

dragged Florence into the conversation, immediately