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?"

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

harder, sniffling for effect. "She absolutely would! Once she's got the Sheldon Group and with Uncle coddling her, we'll

you need to step up," Emma said, her eyes sharp as she took Sienna's arm.

of the funeral home's grand foyer.

cold and calculating. "That's exactly why you must marry into the

vel

been running the Nelson Group for years he's

background, Mrs. Nelson with be thrilled. The families know each other, it's perfect. All you need is... to make

"Once you're Mrs. Nelson, I'll finally have

matter how long your uncle's kept her around. She'll never

hear me? Figure out a way to stay with Shane tonight. Once you