Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 54
Whitney’s face flushed as she pushed her away, but Tiana was already on to the next topic. Tve set everything up at the Imperial
Garden Bar. Loads of our old classmates and friends have been ringing up asking about you Sure, there are some fair–weather
friends in the mix, but there are a few genuine ones too. Whitney, you’ve got to start building your network.”
Whitney knew what she meant. If she was going to make a comeback in Banyan City, she needed a circle that would welcome
her back in.
Before Whitney could hesitate, Tiana grabbed the steering wheel and they were on their way to the pub.
Back at the villa, it wasn’t even seven o’clock.
Taryn watched in surprise as the man came home, suited and booted with his assistant in tow.
“My boy?” Natalie rushed over, her lips pursed in astonishment. “You’ve been too busy to come home these past few days, and
now you’re back so early?”
Ludwik’s gaze swept the living room, searching.
Felix asked with a smile, “Madam, where’s Whitney? She said she’d be back early today to-”
The man shot him a look.
He sank arrogantly into the sofa and waited. He saw neither the woman who had promised to serve him nor any sign of good
news.
“Where is she?”
“Whitney? She hasn’t come back yet,” the old lady said, puzzled.
Taryn chimed in, “She had sent a text. She said she’s out having fun.”
Felix’s smile twitched awkwardly on his face.
Ludwik’s icy glare swept over him.
Felix swiftly made his exit.

Ludwik picked up his coat, his face emanating a chill. “Damn.”
“Where are you off to in such a fury?” Natalie called after him as he stormed out.
At the Imperial Garden Bar, Tiana had gone to the restroom and was not yet back. Whitney was about to go check on her when
Tiana raced back with an odd look on her face. “Whitney! Guess what I just caught on camera?” She waved her phone excitedly.
Whitney stepped outside and cast a look on the phone’s screen. Outside an exclusive Presidential Suite, the figure of Roselyn
was pacing anxiously.
Her face turned red, her expression/a mix of cold fury and determination.

The suite number was 088.
Tiana raised an eyebrow. “Preston had came here to drown his sorrows, staggering drunk right into the suite but forgetting to
close the door!”
Whitney’s expression froze.
Suite 088 was Preston’s regular business room at the Imperial Garden Bar, something Whitney had known from before.
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10.00
As uelyn renched her fats and began to undress, she stepped inside and slammed the door shut
Fian clicked her tongue, her expression complex. “You didn’t see that coming, did you?”

Whitney narrowed her eyes. For her to know about this room, it’s no small feat. With the Valentine family news out today it must
have been a spur of the moment decision.”
Roseton really went all out. I mean, if it was me, I couldn’t, not with someone older than my dad, even if he kept m shape.”
Whitney let out a soft scoff. “Monica made a fool out of her at the Golden Hue Bar just the other day Roselyn’s path to wealth
crumbled, and she’s got it out for Monica now. But I didn’t expect her to be so bold.”
Tiana watched Whitney’s reaction closely. “Preston’s your dad. With Roselyn doing this, you’re not going to...”
Whitney let out a bitter laugh. “What kind of father he is to see his own daughter suffer? Tiana, I’m starting to doubt that whether
he’s really my father.”
Tiana was thinking along the same lines. “Even if there’s something off, they’re never going to tell you the truth”
Whitney’s voice turned cold. “That’s why I have to get my revenge first. Once I’ve taken down the Valentines one by one, the
truth I’m after will surface.”
She smiled calmly. “I don’t have to worry about undermining Roselyn now. She’s sharpened her own knife, and the Valentine
family is going to spiral into chaos.”
It’s better this way. Let them handle their own mess!” Tiana laughed, imagining the priceless look on Yvonne’s face when she’d
find out.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Whitney, Simon was also in one of the private lounges at the Imperial Garden Bar.
Monica was trying to sneak in. With her name still trending online, and more scandals about her leaking out, she was recognized
instantly on the streets. She had barely managed to get inside with her face covered.

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She had struggled to find Simon but there he was, drunk and alone, looking like a fallen angel sprawled across the table.
Relieved to see no women beside him, Monica hurried over. Her voice was sweetened with intent to mend fences and plead her
case.
But before she could speak, she saw a photo of Whitney on the screen of his phone–taken before her abduction, Whitney was

smiling and gazing at Simon with girlish adoration.
Monica’s heart clouded over instantly. She pinched Simon’s arm hard. “Simon! You still have her picture? Wake up and look at
me!”
Simon opened his eyes but ignored Monica, his gaze still fixed on Whitney’s image. He remembered her dazzling at the awards
ceremony, completely outshining Monica. He was well aware of her innate talents.
Had Ludwik really taken a liking to her, backing her up and clearing her name? Could it be that the masked man who rescued
her that day was Ludwik?
Simon couldn’t believe it, regret gnawing at him. Why had he ever given up on Whitney for a worthless Monica?
Disgusted by Monica’s hold over him, he violently pushed her away and grabbed the bottle, drinking deeply. “Whitney...”
“Simon, look at me. I’m Monica. You can’t back out of our engagement!” Monica’s jealousy turned to fury as she tried to pull him
away but only to be shrugged off again.
Their commotion drew the attention of the crowd outside the lounge.
Now treated like a pariah, Monica feared the backlash from the public. Uneasy to stay any longer, she stomped off in a rage.
Back at the Valentine estate, she threw herself into Yvonne’s arms, weeping with hatred and frustration “He’s still hung up on
Whitney Will he marry me, Mom? That wretch, why won’t she just die? She’s made life miserable for us, and now Daddy won’t
even look at us. Hasn’t he come home yet?
It was already 2 a m. Yvonne had no clue where Preston had vanished to
Over the years, she had kept a tight leash on him, cutting off all his little flings on the side
But tonight. Yvonne felt a throbbing unease. Where on earth could Preston be, not even taking her calls?

Deep down in her heart, Yvonne loathed Whitney furiously. She had waltzed into the Valentines‘ lives, demanding everything her
heart desired for years, even leaving Whitney’s own mother and grandfather with grim fates. Yvonne had never been in such a
distressed position.
This wasn’t over. She wouldn’t concede defeat so easily. She still had an ace up her sleeve.
At ten past midnight, a luxury car pulled up with a chilling aura outside the Imperial Garden Bar.
Felix swiftly opened the door. A man’s long legs stretched out from the vehicle. His gaze hardened at the sight of the bar’s neon
sign.
So, the young madam’s idea of ‘playing outside‘ was hitting up a bar.
Felix silently crossed his fingers for the young madam’s rebellious spirit.
He hadn’t taken many steps when Ludwik’s gaze inadvertently caught a scene through the bar’s window. The crowd inside was
wildly inebriated. There, a young woman’s radiant face stood out, her porcelain skin glowing. She was dressed in a tight–fitting
dress that showcased her sculpted legs, holding a drunken friend and chatting with another man. Her eyes sparkled with
laughter, her red lips a delicate provocation.
The man’s lips tightened into icy daggers.
Felix quietly lowered his gaze.
3/3.