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.

---

warmly, "Whitney, tonight's Lippert family banquet is quite the affair. The dress you're wearing, bought from Banyan City, hardly seems

taunt, Whitney

with jewels and shimmer, they were indeed pricey, albeit several seasons old. Now, they'd barely fetch a

innocent facade. The Lippert family, being the most prestigious, likely preferred modest

much thought into this setup, aiming

worried; she was confident in her

off-shoulder gown, the most 'conservative'

a call, "Ms. Sheldon, she chose the red

in her

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

at the company, Mr. Hudson asked me

Whitney, who had seen her fair share of luxury,

at the front, the massive estate glowed with lights, boasting a

Whitney entered the Lippert family's villa, the subtle music

doorman and stepped inside, only to be taken aback

in red, they were embarrassingly

internally. She had underestimated Florence's

wonder Florence and her mother had left early, with

was already in the

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

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

present were all

few steps away and forced a smile, tugging at her dress, "Dad, this was the most

Hudson glare at Holly, "What were

approached Hudson, feigning 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

skillfully dragged Florence into the conversation, immediately understanding her