Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1196

Sienna stormed back, cheeks burning with humiliation after Shane's flat-out rejection. She ran to Emma, her grandmother, clinging to her arm.

"Nana, did you hear that?" Sienna sobbed, her voice shaky and shrill. "Shane didn't give you a shred of respect! He outright said he'd never marry me... and he's been making eyes at Sandy! I swear that little tramp is trying to steal him away!"

She sniffled, casting a bitter glance across the room. "Sandy and Whitney- they're two of a kind. Just look at her now, cozying up to Whitney, acting all smug."

She faltered, her grief raw. "Florence is gone, Nana. I've got no one left to lean on."

"Nana, if you don't stand up for me, Whitney and Sandy will eat me alive. I'm terrified Shane doesn't want me. Do you know what a laughingstock I'll be in Manhattan?"

She pressed a trembling hand to her chest, her voice growing more desperate. "And it's not just me I'd be dragging your good name through the mud, too."

She lowered her voice, darting a glance at the nearby mourners. "If Whitney takes control of the Sheldon family, you know how heartless she is. What if she comes after you first?"

glare. "Over my dead body!" she spat, her patience

her grandmother's anger flare, Sienna wept even harder, sniffling for effect. "She absolutely would! Once she's got the Sheldon Group and

up," Emma said, her eyes sharp as she took Sienna's arm. “Let's go outside, your

of the funeral home's grand foyer. Once they were out of earshot, Emma's voice dropped to a

think I don't see through Whitney?" she said, cold and calculating. "That's exactly why you must marry into the Nelson family,

vel

way back. Shane's been running the Nelson Group for years he's the most eligible bachelor in the city. But he's

knowing smile crept onto Emma's lips. "This is your chance. With your family background, Mrs. Nelson with be thrilled. The families know each other, it's perfect. All you need is... to make your move. Get Shane alone, spend the night together-once it happens, there's

glittered. "Once you're Mrs. Nelson, I'll

uncle's kept her around. She'll never truly be one

out a way to stay with Shane tonight. Once