Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

hapter 1

On the eve of her wedding, Whitney Valentine and her younger stepsister were kidnapped, but her fiancé only

rescued her sister.

The kidnapper lunged at her with a sneer, tearing at her clothes with a vicious rip.

Still in disbelief. Whitney waited foolishly, yelling, “No! Please wait more… Simon Perlman said he’d pay the ransom.”

With a mocking laugh, the kidnapper dialed a number and barked, “Monica Valentine, your elder sister sure is a fool!”

Whitney froze.

Her sister’s mocking voice came through the phone. “You really believed that knight–in–shining–armor crap? Let me tell you the truth: I’m carrying Simon’s baby!”

Whitney’s face turned ashen. “When… When did you two get together?”

“Simon’s always loved me. He only used you to start his business! Now that he’s CEO, guess why you’re the one kidnapped?”

Chills crawled up Whitney’s arms as she shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t believe it. Put Simon on the phone!”

Then a man’s voice that came through was cold and remorseless. “Whitney, you’re no longer of any value to me. Take care on your ‘journey.”

Boom!

Whitney’s world collapsed into a pallor of despair.

Eight years of love, all just a ploy? He wanted her dead so he could take over the company!

Whitney’s tears fell down her cheeks.

Monica’s twisted laugh cut through. “He wanted to leave you a pretty corpse, but I’ll make sure you die ugly. Have your fun with her, then leave her to the wolves!”

“Monica, I treated you like my own sister. Why are you doing this? Mom and Dad won’t let you get away with

this!”

“Do you think Mom and Dad really loved you?” Monica sneered coldly.

that? Before she could ponder, she was dragged deeper into the

pressed down on her with sinister grins.

fate.

she really going to be a pawn in Simon and Monica’s scheme, toyed with

she could not let

with its door

seat, his large silhouette vague, but the

tension.

strength, she broke free from her captors and tumbled down the hill toward the car,

“Get lost.”

gaze half–closed, his breath heavy with

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were

please!” Whitney clung to his leg,

body inadvertently brushed against the man’s slacks, but

the man’s Adam’s apple

She shook

you, since you’ve come,” the man’s voice was a dark, cold chuckle. “Don’t regret it.” In

man was still asleep; dawn had not

clothes and fled from

precious. With a wretched wipe of her eyes, Whitney did not dare linger.

it back to the Valentine family in Banyan

she endured hunger and

seen a single piece

the injustices

it, so she returned to

gaze. Before she could step further, she heard a dispute from

rest until we find the body!” Her stepmother,

sinister as she said, “Dad, if you’re worried about her haunting us, let’s arrange a ‘ghost marriage‘ for her! We’ll make a profit and bind her spirit. She won’t dare come after us

harsh?” That was her father, Preston Valentine, devoid of any

bare by the cold, and her fantasies of a concerned and remorseful

only sought to squeeze value out of her even in death,

shield Monica from misfortune, a life cheaper than dirt! Besides, we know what happened to her mother.

make sure she doesn’t leave here today,” Preston’s voice

and Simon will take over her company. Her grandfather’s legacy, her uncle… All will be

and devils

bit her lip to keep from