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 could ponder, she was dragged

kidnappers pressed down on her with sinister grins. Whitney

fate.

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

could not let it end like

parked strangely with its door ajar

seat, his large silhouette vague, but the atmosphere was heavy with

tension.

down the hill toward the car, desperately pleading, “Sir, could you please

“Get lost.”

gaze half–closed, his breath heavy

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kidnappers were closing

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

trembling body inadvertently brushed against the man’s

man’s Adam’s apple bobbed,

can’t!” She shook her

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

Whitney slowly came to, the man

clothes and fled from the

wretched wipe of her eyes, Whitney

alive, finally made it back to

she endured hunger and

clenched her fist. In ten days, she hadn’t seen a single piece of

her. Recalling the injustices of her childhood, Whitney bit

so she returned to

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

rest until we find the body!” Her stepmother, Yvonne,

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

was her father, Preston Valentine, devoid of any

expressionless face stripped bare by the cold, and her fantasies of

value out of her even in death, discussing using a ‘ghost

a life cheaper than dirt! Besides, we

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

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

and devils

lip to keep