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.

I 2 3 0 5

had called out two million, showcasing a

up, or do you not even have a million dollars to your name?” Roselyn taunted

The socialites laughed mockingly.

you can’t afford it, don’t embarrass yourself

The

at Whitney. “Whitney, are you bidding or not? If you can’t afford it, have security escort you out so you

under her

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15.00

cut through the darkness, “She bids

stunned, including Whitney, who recognized that captivating voice and turned to

strolled toward her, his lazy gait and broad shoulders exuding the composure and dangerous allure of a mature man. His presence commanded silence,

room held its

eyes widened in

calmly, bending elegantly in the shadows and drawing

breath

face, petite forehead- all so fragile. Yet her eyes sparkled

and asked softly, “Am I

skipped a

his arrival always brought a surge of

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

blinked, her lips parting slightly, “No,

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

had heard about tonight’s ordeal

raised his paddle. “No

in shock, “Is that the thug

by the thug’s dapper appearance, remembered her grudge and sneered. “Didn’t you see the mask? He must be

thug

thug bid six

possibly find someone wealthier than

He shouted, “Eight million!”

the man’s voice was as smooth

eyes hardened,

“Fourteen million.”

as the man did not

was bidding twice its value. Whitney could not help but feel uneasy, “Mr.

intend to buy