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.

Emma, the old family maid, helped Sienna sit up, sighing in sympathy. "Mr. Nelson has gone

hard on you last night—he was clearing the path for

Sienna looked up, dazed, as if she hadn't

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

swear, I saw the photos myself-Shane was holding Sandy, they were

since she moved in-always scheming, always dreaming of marrying up. I've been too soft on her, and now look

face turning to Mrs. Nelson with

by Sandy

could take my place. He's even willing to ruin the Nelson family's reputation with a scandal just to force

my innocence mean

the daughter of the Sheldon family-why should

you have to stand up for me. Mr. Nelson's

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

do whatever you

two women's voices rose and fell in

Gary were feeling the