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.

stunned. What did Monica mean by that? Before she

kidnappers pressed down on her with sinister grins. Whitney

fate.

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

not let it end like

parked strangely with its door ajar on the dark roadside

large silhouette vague, but the

tension.

the hill toward the car, desperately pleading, “Sir, could you please let me in to take shelter

“Get lost.”

gaze half–closed, his breath heavy

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were

kill me, sir, please!” Whitney clung to his leg, crawling into the car and slamming the

against the man’s slacks, but

wide, and the man’s Adam’s apple

can’t!” She shook her head

a dark, cold chuckle. “Don’t regret it.” In an

to, the man was still

picked up her clothes and

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

made it back to

to her name, she endured hunger and cold, clinging

she hadn’t seen a single piece of news about her

said Dad never loved her. Recalling the injustices of her childhood, Whitney

so

the Valentine Mansion, Whitney entered with a cold gaze. Before she could step further, she heard a

can’t rest until we find the body!” Her stepmother,

‘ghost marriage‘ for her! We’ll make a profit

That was her father, Preston Valentine,

slumped to the floor, her expressionless face stripped bare by the cold, and her fantasies

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

life cheaper than dirt! Besides, we know what happened to her mother. If Whitney’s still alive and

alive, I’ll make sure she doesn’t leave here today,” Preston’s voice was devoid of

smear her reputation. Monica and Simon will take over her company. Her grandfather’s legacy, her uncle… All will be taken care of.”

and

to keep from