Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

"Mr. Nelson went too far. He had Whitney kidnap me and locked me in a storage room. Then a few drunk guys barged in and-they-oh God, just thinking about last night's nightmare makes my whole body ache.

How could Mr. Nelson do this to me?

He's been seduced by Sandy—he's lost all sense of decency.

He could've just called off the engagement, but this? They didn't have to ruin my life just to cover up their own mess!

Grandma, Sandy is vicious. She set me up like this-you have to stand up for me. Please, I'm begging you. I can't take this kind of humiliation anymore!"

Sienna broke down, sobbing so hard her voice was raw, collapsing at the head of the bed. Blood spotted her lips.

Gary and Mrs. Nelson went pale at the sight.

"Sienna, honey, calm down..."

"Housekeeper! Go fetch Shane, that damned kid! Bring him here now!" Gary barked.

has gone way too far, Miss Sienna. You didn't hear? The whole town's gossiping about him and

you last night—he was clearing the path for

looked up, dazed, as if

just as stunned, grabbing the maid's arm. "I'm just an old woman, I don't follow the

swear, I saw the photos myself-Shane

she moved in-always scheming, always dreaming of marrying

again, her tear-streaked face turning to Mrs. Nelson with desperate, pleading eyes.

by Sandy

willing to ruin the Nelson family's reputation with a scandal just to

cruel-does my innocence

should I be treated like this by Mr.

much. Please, you have to stand up for me. Mr. Nelson's gone too

what have you done to deserve this?" Emma turned sharply to Mrs. Nelson. "This is your Shane's mess-he has to answer for

do whatever you

women's voices rose and fell in

Gary were feeling