Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 30

The message from Simon read, [I know you wouldn’t come out willingly, so I’ve got leverage. Whitney, I have your grandfather’s old phone book, the one he had before he passed away. Haven’t you been trying to dig into that accident for years now? Are you sure you don’t want it?]

Simon knew her too well, and he had found her Achilles‘ heel.

Her mom and grandfather had perished in a horrific accident, or so the story went, according to Preston.

She was too young at the time, and she was studying abroad. Upon her return, she was bluntly informed of their sudden deaths. After they were gone, it was as if a giant hand had wiped away all traces of their existence.

Whitney had never questioned it before. She just wanted to know what really caused the accident. Back when she and Simon were an item, she had asked him to track down her grandfather’s assistant and any leads. The phone book was probably what he had found.

But after being double–crossed by the Valentine family, she started suspecting their involvement in her mother’s and grandfather’s deaths.

On the day of the funeral, she had searched the Valentine Mansion to no avail; Preston had cleared out all of her mother’s and grandfather’s belongings.

The phone book could reveal who her grandfather had been in contact with. If she could get her hands on it, it would be her only lead.

Whitney decided to call him back.

Simon’s voice was smug with triumph. “So, Whitney, what have you decided?”

“Where’s the phone book?”

“Come meet me. Agree to my terms, and I’ll hand it over.”

Whitney’s eyes narrowed. With a sly edge to her voice, she spoke, “How do I know the phone book is real? Show me a video of it now, and then we’ll talk.”

Simon agreed, and about two minutes later, he sent her a video.

Whitney squinted at the footage. Aside from the yellowed pages of the phone book, she recognized the background–the furniture, the layout–it was his bachelor apartment.

En så « no s

Armed with the information she needed, Whitney did not hang up in a hurry.

a hint of pleasure as he said, “Meet me tomorrow night at Crystaline Bar’s private booth.

Whitney agreed. “Fine.”

stand me up!” Simon

hanging up, Whitney immediately contacted Tiana. “Tiana, do we have enough time?

had coordinated with Tiana before the call, asking

from his bachelor

in real–time and the phone

smirked. “So, what’s your plan?”

The following evening.

1/3

15.01

Natalie, saying she would be back before

phone buzzed with a Facebook message from L, [What are you up to? Dare

her to call him if anything came up. She furrowed her brows, her fingertips hesitating over the screen before ultimately closing

indifferent expression, Whitney left for her

needed to draw Simon out to make her

stood tall before Whitney,

in and sit down,

near the door, catching a whiff of alcohol on his breath. “What

figure, hidden beneath plain clothes. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with a striking face and delicate features. She had once been the object of many a young man’s affections in Banyan City, exuding

such a beauty; no man would want to

thug’s?” Maybe it was the dim light, but Simon’s gaze was deep

care? You, your body… It was all supposed

Her lips curled into a sneer. “In your heart, I can die, but I can’t carry another man’s child? Is your pride hurt? Are you here because you can’t stand it? How did you weigh your options

would become a pawn for the Valentine family. You used me to start your business, and after Monica wrapped you around her finger with her seductions, you dropped me without a second thought. The Valentine family could secure you the Perlman

seized

you ever escape Monica’s seductions?” Whitney taunted

me? You’re nothing but a fallen woman.

the core. It took her a moment to regain her composure, staring at him

cold

seeing you trade your body for leverage. You were always mine.” His drunken gaze locked

you can’t stand to see me with someone else, and now you want me as your secret lover? You’re despicable, Simon, and drunk

“Forget it. I don’t want the phone book anymore. I’m not going

show of naturally