Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 26

Standing there, Whitney translated the confrontation in her mind, “Even if she and her daughter want to wipe you off the face of the earth, you can’t hurt Monica even the slightest!”

She looked up at the man whose handsome features had been transformed, her heart cold as an iceberg silently drifted within her.

With a sneer, she said, “Simon, I guess the hospital really did wonders on that face of yours”

“What do you mean?”

Monica glared at Whitney and quickly changed the subject, “Sis, you came to bid on landscapes today? But I heard your finances are tight, and you’ve got some street thug for a boyfriend now. Do you need my help?”

Simon’s gaze on Whitney darkened.

A murmur rippled through the crowd. “What, Whitney’s taken up with a street thug?”

Monica feigned innocence. “Don’t talk like that, everyone. Maybe my sister just made a mistake.”

“Oh my God, to consort with riff–raff is to fall from grace. The Valentine family’s name must be totally tarnished by Whitney.”

“Let’s not be too harsh. Didn’t Roselyn say she saw Whitney splurging at the boutique the other day? Maybe her new beau is loaded! Sis, since you have a new man, why not introduce him to us?” Monica’s challenge was thinly veiled.

“A thug worth meeting? With her looking penniless and bidding on million–dollar paintings, I doubt she even has the money to start the bid. Isn’t that right, Whitney?” Roselyn mocked openly, the two of them taking turns. The socialites looked at Whitney with ridicule.

Then, the lights dimmed, and the luxurious auction began.

The first item up was a landscape painting from the late Renaissance era.

The starting bid was a million dollars.

Simon raised his paddle. “Two million!”

The socialites cooed with envy, “Simon’s so lavish, doubling the bid just to win Monica’s favor!”

Monica smirked smugly, satisfied with her prediction, as Whitney did not raise her paddle. Monica stood up and said to the auctioneer in a helpful tone, “Wait, my sister wants to bid too. Come on, Sis, place your bid.”

Her voice carried over the microphone, audible to everyone.

All eyes turned to Whitney, waiting for her to bid.

Whitney sat still, her expression unchanged. She knew she had only $800,000 in cash from Tiana- not enough to meet the starting bid.

2 3 0 5 PE F F F X

showcasing a blatant attempt

not

The socialites laughed mockingly.

don’t

The

can’t afford

chuckled under her

1/3

15.00

then, a chillingly magnetic voice cut

was stunned, including Whitney, who recognized that captivating voice and

lazy gait and broad shoulders exuding the composure and dangerous allure of a mature man.

room held its

almond eyes

her calmly, bending elegantly in the shadows and drawing

breath

were dark and intense. He looked at her, scrutinizing her delicate face, petite forehead- all so fragile. Yet her eyes sparkled with intelligence and defiance. He was sure

down, inscrutable, and asked softly, “Am I

heart skipped

arrival always brought a

voice, she guessed he wanted to ask, ‘Are you okay?‘ His concern

slightly, “No, you’re not late,

elegantly crossing his legs. Whitney stole a glance at him. Was he not supposed to be on a business trip? How did he come down

about tonight’s

raised his paddle. “No one else

“Is that the thug Whitney’s with? He’s

sneered. “Didn’t you see the mask? He must be hideously scarred, a gangster!

pang of jealousy as the rumors of Whitney’s thug boyfriend materialized. He

this thug

provoked Simon’s competitive spirit; Whitney could not possibly find someone wealthier

He shouted, “Eight million!”

voice was as smooth as fine wine, nonchalantly

hardened, “Twelve

“Fourteen million.”

watched as the man

was worth five million at most; he was bidding twice its value. Whitney could not help but feel uneasy, “Mr. L, there’s no need to

don’t intend