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.

hint of pleasure as he said, “Meet me tomorrow

Whitney agreed. “Fine.”

stand me up!”

“Tiana, do we have enough time? Did you get

the call, asking her to trace Simon’s

from

was shot in real–time and the

“So, what’s your

The following evening.

1/3

15.01

saying she would be back before

from L, [What are you up to? Dare ignore my

him if anything came up. She

indifferent expression, Whitney left for

out to

Bar’s private booth, Simon stood tall before Whitney, gazing at her

and sit down,

ground near the door, catching a whiff of alcohol on his breath. “What do you want to

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,

a beauty; no man would

really that thug’s?” Maybe it was the dim light, but Simon’s gaze was deep and fervent. Whitney pressed closer

I care? You, your body… It was all supposed to be mine!”

“In your heart, I can die, but I can’t carry another man’s child? Is your pride hurt? Are you

would become a pawn for the Valentine family. You used me to start your business, and after Monica wrapped you around her finger

words left Simon’s facade in shambles, his pretenses ripped away. He seized her shoulders. “It wasn’t like that. I still have you

ever escape Monica’s seductions?”

a fallen woman. If so many men can have you, why can’t

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

a cold fear.

trade your body

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 to

and she glanced at it discreetly. Her expression eased, “Forget it. I don’t want the phone book anymore. I’m

a show of naturally reaching for the