Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 432

Joanne's expression shifted slightly, a hint of displeasure crossing her face as she said, "Holly, what are you still doing here? Haven't you left yet?"

"Joanne, I heard last time that you invested in a beauty startup and it tanked?" Holly asked, feigning concern.

Joanne's face stiffened. The entire investment, all 5 billion, gone! Although she was a Nelson, she wasn't the favorite, and a financial flop like this wouldn't get any sympathy or help from the Nelson family.

A calculating glint flashed in Holly's eyes. Approaching Joanne tonight was perfect timing.

She quickly pulled Joanne aside, "I truly consider you a friend, Joanne. I can lend you the 5 billion to get you out of this tight spot! But, you'll need to do me a small favor tonight."

Joanne's eyes sparkled briefly, her tone lofty, "What favor?"

"My family just welcomed back a young lady, you know her, right? My husband adores her, even gave her a 10% stake in Sheldon Enterprises. Her status isn't below that of Florence. Anyone who marries her wouldn't get any less of a deal than Ludwik. I remember Justin is still single, isn't he?"

The corners of Holly's eyes shimmered with a cold light as she spoke...

-

In the restroom.

Florence, appearing fragile, was holding Sienna's hand, tears in her eyes as she explained, "Sienna, I didn't mean to deny it just now. It's just that my sister was so aggressive, I was too scared to speak up. And when I told you, I made you promise to keep it a secret, yet you revealed it in front of Mr. Nelson... I really wanted you to understand my sister better. But now she misunderstands me entirely, and it breaks my heart..."

Sienna, initially a bit angry, softened as Florence cried, indirectly blaming herself for not keeping a promise. Sienna lost her resolve.

"Sienna, we've grown up together. You know I mean no harm," Florence said, her voice weak.

witch trying to drive a wedge between us!" Sienna said, now fully convinced of their friendship and furious at

want to get along with her. But she wears the same red dress as me and then publicly mocks my figure, making me the subject of gossip everywhere, saying

the

"Florence! What's wrong?"

might be the beef liver soup I drank too much of, plus the stress, Sienna. Could you

right now,"

up, wiped her mouth, and revealed a cold smirk. She was confident Sienna would deliver the message perfectly. Earlier, only a few socialites heard

-

of the banquet

Justin leaning on the railing, wine in hand, eyeing a beauty across

saw Whitney, stunning in a red dress, and chuckled, bumping Justin's shoulder,

a sly smile on his face, "She's got a

a knockout," Jarvis

a child..." Justin commented,

then, another figure descended the stairs, his steps

Justin, "What's it matter if she's had a child? Makes things more interesting, doesn't it? Plus, they

you're into her, why not have a bit of fun? A

the eye of men like

Jarvis sneered, making a crude gesture towards Whitney's chest, "Can barely keep it contained in that dress." "You're getting me worked up, damn..." Justin

from above, followed by a shout, "Who

gaze retreated from the car keys in his hand as he made his

him by the tie

eyes, swallowing hard, realizing what hit him, he was about to retaliate

to have some fun with a flirty woman. Did he hit a nerve?" Justin, too, looked

expressionless, stared at Jarvis, his eyes cold as