Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 455

Bryce narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "Who exactly are you?"

"A person who can help you. Do you desire to join the Sheldon family and win over Whitney? Do you wish to topple Ludwik and see him fall from his pedestal in Emperor City? Just follow my lead, and all of this can be yours." "What do you want in return?"

Bryce felt an unfamiliar chill run down his spine, sensing that the stranger knew too much. This voice was completely foreign to him; he was certain he didn't know this person. "You don't need to worry about that. Just give me an answer."

Clutching his phone tighter, a shadow of determination crossed Bryce's face. He was resolved to climb to the top in Emperor City, to make Ludwik taste the bitterness of defeat!

"I'm in," Bryce said, his voice filled with fierce ambition.

---

At 2 PM sharp.

Whitney arrived at the S-T Group, a subsidiary of the Sheldon Group, as per the joining instructions given by Hudson. The company was located within a skyscraper owned by the Lippert Group, occupying just three floors. Whitney recalled hearing from Hugh that the S-T Group was under the partial control of the Lippert family....

She didn't dwell on it.

The company specialized in high-end jewelry, luxury leather goods, and designer fragrances, albeit not very large in scale.

After completing her HR formalities, Whitney ran into a familiar face.

Sandy, the girl she had dinner with at the Sheldon family's gathering, greeted her warmly, her professional badge pinned neatly on her blouse. Her short hair and sharp features contrasted starkly with Sienna's haughty jealousy.

"Hi, Whitney, I'm Sandy," she offered her hand with a friendly smile.

Whitney returned the smile, "Nice to meet you. Are you Sienna's sister?"

"Half-sister, technically. The legacy of my father's wild days before he married into the family," Sandy said with a hint of self-mockery.

family dinner, almost invisible, scraping by in the shadow of her

"You work here?"

chuckled ruefully, shifting uneasily, "Let me

the office area, Whitney noticed her own badge designated her as the

her directly into a managerial position, a stark

also the heiress

from her colleagues turned into stares of

herself to the team, encouraging them to get back

Whitney overheard Sandy in the break room, praising her approachability and beauty, seemingly laying the groundwork for Whitney's

acknowledged daughter?" a colleague

values her highly. We'd do well to get on her good side,"

Group shares! I heard even Ms. Sheldon doesn't have that much. We definitely need to respect her!" Whitney paused for a moment, then invited

of me? Are you paving the way for

life miserable since we were kids. I don't suck up to Florence like Sienna does, which makes me an outcast in the Sheldon family, a beggar at their table! You don't know how dark Florence can be. Sienna is just her pawn. My life's been tough. I do have my own agenda, but I mean no harm to you. I just want

of alliance, hence Sandy's efforts to pave Whitney's way in the

didn't need an ally, but Sandy's insights into Florence piqued her

can do to

Whitney!" Sandy's smile broke through her usually

someone who had fought her way up, unlike Sienna who relied

relatable between Whitney and

you pass the probation period. I know you won't stay at S-T Group for long. Once you move up to the Sheldon Group headquarters, things

soft warmth in her heart; her dad knew she ran a jewelry business and had asked her to sell some

wasn't a

getting to know the company better, ready to start her new

your stepmom, you

herbal medicine for her heart and lungs, but Dr. Ford insists on checking everything.

felt a pang of bitterness. She couldn't let go of

be careful with their medication. I just wonder how

seen. Natalie's been having nosebleeds, looked really out of it