Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 910

celebration. How's that for a silver lining?"

Barclay leaned in, his proposition hanging in the air like a thick fog. "Marry me, and I can make the Caldwell family drop their lawsuit against your dad. He gets out of prison, and just like that, your family ties with the Doonans. What was once a tragedy turns into a He loomed closer, lifting her chin with a chuckle that echoed off the walls.

Tiana was gobsmacked. She had tried to anticipate Barclay's demands on her way over but had never imagined this ludicrous proposal.

Barclay, wanting her for a wife? That couldn't be right. A man of his reputation wouldn't waste a second glance on someone he deemed worthless. There had to be more to his scheme.

Her confusion deepened into suspicion. Shrugging off his grip, she hissed, "What's your game, Barclay? Forcing a marriage out of the blue? You're not interested in me. Who's pulling your strings?" Barclay's eyes narrowed, observing her bewildered expression with a mix of mockery and a strange hint of pity. His laughter grew darker. "Smart girl. I'm in cahoots with Endora. Get it now?"

Tiana's shock turned into a cold fury. Again, Endora. She had tried to steer clear of that woman's path, to disentangle herself from any drama.

But as Whitney always said, avoidance only invites further intrusion. Tiana had stepped back, yet Endora remained relentless, pushing her into a corner, aiming to uproot her entirely.

Tiana felt a chill seep into her bones, anger and hatred bubbling up.

"Endora's about to marry Parker. She's won, but she still sees you as a threat, worried you might ruin her perfect little setup. Only by marrying me can she rest easy, ensuring Parker has completely turned his back on you before their big day," Barclay whispered cruelly. Tiana stood frozen, her rage nearly palpable.

To corner her, Endora had orchestrated a convoluted plot, dragging Tiana's cousin and then her father into a legal nightmare.

Did Endora's family even possess a shred of decency? That was her uncle, her father's brother!

the line by

giving way

"Listen, I've struck a deal with Endora, promising me benefits beyond my

a wealthy uncle; he hardly needs the Doonan influence in Banyan City. He's set

Doonans have been on my case to settle down. I've played the field long enough. Marrying you kills three birds with one stone. Sure, your background's a mess, but I'm not picky. Our child would satisfy my old man, and that's enough for

till I'm sick of you.

Marrying her presented no downside for him, merely a step to

offered him, Tiana couldn't

Endora...

so tight her nails drew blood, Tiana stepped out of the room, Barclay's voice trailing

I can ensure Endora regrets

newfound strength, she shrugged off his grasp, leaving him stunned by

as she headed for the elevator, bordered on hysteria, a

think you're going?" Barclay

Tiana pressed the elevator button, her cold gaze slicing through

threat hanging in the air, "Think

-

news, she learned of Endora's attempted suicide upon her return to Banyan City. Now, the entire city buzzed with the scandal of Endora's miscarriage three years

leaving her infertile.

had left her with a permanently

the news, her amusement fading only