Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 652

In the corporate world of The Sheldon Group, whispers about Florence's favoritism weren't uncommon. At a board meeting, a shareholder sneered, "Seriously, why is Whitney even here? She's just not over it, wants to try her luck against Ms. Sheldon for a position at the headquarters."

Florence sensed Hugh's discomfort, especially today, with the secret of the stolen company seal and shares possibly being out. She tried to deflect, standing up, her voice soft and vulnerable as she addressed Whitney, "You're welcome to work at the headquarters. Hugh never meant to exclude you. Weren't you busy with your own startup lately? Stirring up quite the buzz..."

Her words hung in the air as she glanced at Emma, who immediately thought of the scandal involving Whitney, rumored to be entangled with Ludwik Lippert, dragging dear Florence into the mess.

Emma's demeanor cooled instantly. "Florence, don't bother lifting her up. Even if you'd let her into the company, I wouldn't. How can someone who runs a no-name company fit into The Sheldon Group? Her reputation is far from clean. Whitney, this meeting isn't for you. You wouldn't understand shareholder matters. Please, leave."

Hugh, unable to hide his fury, commanded, "If mother says so, security, escort her out. She's not to step foot here without my say."

Whitney glanced at Jared and the elderly lady, a chill passing through her gaze. She might have been worried about the truth hurting them, but it seemed the elderly lady was also fooled by Florence, blinded by deception.

Ignoring the astonished looks from everyone, Whitney confidently approached the podium, her gaze icy as she faced Hugh. "Before I go, I think I'll help Hugh wrap up this meeting."

"What did you just say?" Holly jumped at the chance to stir trouble, "Deputy Director, she can't disrupt things like this. Get her out now."

"What's the rush, Holly? Afraid I'll spill some secrets?" Whitney shot back, sensing Holly's unease.

The air tightened as Whitney continued, "Hugh, didn't you have something to announce? Or are you scared to tell? Scared to reveal how just moments ago, you abducted Cody, stole my father's company seal, and forced Cody to hand over my dad's shares to you, solidifying your control over the company?"

"Shut up! Stop making up stories and causing division," Hugh retorted, his face tense.

Whitney smirked, pulling out a video testimony from her bag, playing it for all to hear. "Did Hugh send you to the hospital to kill Mr. Sheldon?"

but failed.

"What did he instruct?"

the chairman was as good as dead, to knock out the nurse and give

the room, faces turning various shades of shock and

the elderly lady

lady turned to Hugh, "What is this nonsense? You

is fabricating this to tarnish my reputation. I've always looked up to

you

with disdain. "How could you fabricate such lies? Even if

on her,

then turned

a brown paper envelope and spreading it for all to see. "Why was Hugh in such a rush to eliminate

and who did he want to inherit the company? This paternity test will

who?" a shareholder stood,

the document was revealed. "This... this shows Deputy Director Hugh and Ms. Sheldon are father and daughter." The

face went pale, her grip tightening

longer, the implications dawning on him and the rest of the

trying to

"Perhaps grandfather should

them! Twenty years ago, they

your mouth," Holly said,

this, to fabricate a paternity test to frame me, to frame

don't I know that? Your tactics