Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 771

"You must be wondering who let me in, huh?"

Sienna couldn't be more smug, her gaze cold and triumphant as she stared down her rival. "Did you really think that just because Florence lost her backing, I wouldn't find someone else? Think again. I've gotten close to Elodie, and we're hitting it off like a house on fire. And Whitney, don't get too cocky. Florence hasn't been pushed out of the game yet; she's just biding her time."

Whitney met her stare with a frosty look. "If you're here just to spout that, you're wasting my time. Your Uncle Hudson's already up and about, and it won't be long before he finds out Florence is a love child, not his own flesh and blood. What's she going to lean on to get back into the Sheldon Group then, hm?"

"You..." Sienna's grip tightened around her wine glass, her face flush with anger.

Whitney scrutinized her with a cool detachment, a hint of understanding in her eyes. "So, you've cozied up to Elodie, huh? Let me guess, you told her you're my cousin, and used my name to curry favor with her, right?"

Sienna's face went scarlet, caught off guard by Whitney's accurate guess. She snapped back with venom, "Elodie is my BFF now, Whitney, and you better back off. You've already fought over Ludwik with Florence, and you're married now. Shouldn't you be settling down? I'm warning you, Ludwik's caught Elodie's eye. Stay away from him, you old hag."

Old hag...

This wasn't the first time Sienna had hurled that insult at her, even though she was only a few years younger.

Whitney swirled her wine glass lazily, a playful smile on her lips. "Well, I'm on my second marriage, and you're still single. Maybe we should ask around, see who's really the old hag here?

all your energy on being a lapdog. Maybe spend some time on your looks; at 23, you already look older than me, the 'old hag'. No

avail. Shane and others of his stature had shown no interest in her. "Bravo, Whitney, bragging about a second marriage now, are we? Using your fox-like charm to lure men, hooking

vice president's daughter. Just wait and see

final withering glance, Sienna stormed

by Sienna, but by Ludwik, for unwittingly making her an enemy by

-

back to Elodie, exaggerating Whitney's comments. "Elodie, I told you Whitney is nothing but trouble. I told her to stay away from Ludwik, and she had the nerve to mock me. She's underestimating you, Ms. Miller. You have to teach her a lesson." Elodie's face darkened as she pondered their next move. "How do we put her in her place? She's Shane's friend and a

the Sheldon Group is in turmoil. Besides, she and Mr. Nelson are just acquaintances. You're Mr. Nelson's cousin; you don't need to hold

charm him. "Mr. Lippert, where are you off to? I was hoping you'd stay and pop some champagne with

stepping out for a smoke, want to join?" Ludwik's tolerance

realizing Phineas hadn't shown up, he knew Elodie had tricked him. Still, for the sake

have security clear it out for

darkened. "A lady with no sense of decorum," he thought,

followed. "Mr. Lippert, you're not rushing

welcome-back party. If I had known you'd be ungrateful and resort to threats, I'd rather have faced your father's wrath

felt a sting to her pride. "Ludwik, can't you see I like you? I've never lowered