Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 672

This time, Whitney caught a definitive glimpse of Shane's peripheral vision, locked onto Sandy's face throughout the encounter.

The slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth, the faint furrow between his brows, and the intensity of his gaze fixed on the necktie Sandy was holding gave him away.

Instantly, Whitney connected the dots, her almond-shaped eyes narrowing slightly. It dawned on her that this man must have overheard their casual conversation.

Sandy was planning to give a necktie to a guy, but who could this mystery man be?

Shane's demeanor turned subtly tense, sending a shiver down Sandy's spine. She hurriedly retreated to Whitney's side, lowering her head in a respectful greeting, "Mr. Nelson, good to see you!"

"Mr. Turner, still working with Ms. Valentine at the Sheldon Group, I see?"

"Yes, Mr. Nelson, Whitney is my cousin. We're quite close."

"Are you running errands for her or wooing clients that you need to buy a necktie for a male client?"

Shane's casual interrogation did not miss a beat.

Whitney squinted her eyes, amused internally. Turns out Shane was the manipulative type, probing Sandy about his potential rival.

Caught off guard by his questioning, Sandy, aware of the Nelson Group's significant dealings with the Sheldon Group, treated Shane with unfamiliar respect. She felt compelled to answer truthfully, "Mr. Nelson, the necktie isn't for a client... It's a personal matter, so I'd rather not discuss it further."

Shane's eyes narrowed, his handsome features darkening visibly.

Clearly, the necktie wasn't meant for him. In Sandy's eyes, he was nothing more than a stranger, aloof and unattainable.

This realization left Shane feeling a surge of irritation. Damn it, he thought, having raised their daughter alone for four years, and this woman remained blissfully unaware, still playing the part of the innocent. Choosing to ignore her, he turned to Whitney.

"Anything else, Mr. Nelson?" Whitney raised an eyebrow, her tone implying it was time for him to leave after making such a fool of himself.

Shane shot her a glare, then, as if recalling something, beckoned her over, "Ms. Valentine, I've got a piece of news. Interested?"

approached, "What is

trouble

paused, surprised. With the detention center's strict protocols, how could Ludwik

to believe.

"I don't know the details. Just heard he's badly hurt. Had my assistant

fell silent, trying not to

heartbeat erratic, she retorted, "Shane, have you turned into a gossip?

you immune to him now? I thought you might still have a shred of sympathy for the man. Seems like your heart's turned

Sandy, still

debated, recalling Shane's words about forcing her hand if

dare approach Florence, then forget

"Is that a threat?"

you using Florence to

fight," Shane said with a teasing smile. "Now that the Patrick family has risen to the top in Harmonia Country, with Wade's twisted

harbor any

friends, come

"Where to?"

been waiting quietly,

hide her disdain, "Mr. Nelson, you're crossing a line, mixing business with

else would I

was still as clueless as a rabbit in

Whitney followed Shane out of

she thought Shane would take

cars filling the parking lot, with security guards stationed at the entrance. A

Nelson, how bored must you

on, the Everwood Villa Estate

why Whitney was frustrated,

you can't, but I might. Still, I won't buy it. I brought you here

blow a gust of cold air in his

stirring trouble, determined to