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.

Monica mean by that? Before she could ponder, she was dragged deeper into

down on her with sinister grins. Whitney

fate.

a pawn in Simon and Monica’s scheme, toyed

could not let it

saw a car parked strangely with its door ajar on the

the back seat, his large silhouette vague, but

tension.

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

“Get lost.”

half–closed, his

14-54

were

his leg, crawling into the car and

against the man’s slacks, but

eyes suddenly opened wide, and the man’s Adam’s apple

She shook her

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

to, the man was still asleep;

clothes and fled from the

wretched wipe of her eyes, Whitney did not dare

finally made it back to

endured hunger

ten days, she hadn’t seen a single piece of news about her father searching

Recalling the injustices of her childhood, Whitney bit her

so

the back door of the Valentine Mansion, Whitney entered with a cold gaze. Before she could step further, she heard a dispute from the living

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

she said, “Dad, if you’re worried about her haunting us, let’s arrange a ‘ghost marriage‘ for

bit harsh?” That was her

the cold, and her fantasies of

her even

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

doesn’t leave here today,” Preston’s voice was devoid

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

empty, and devils walked the

her lip to keep