Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Suddenly, Whitney’s hand was slapped, and Roselyn snatched the shirt away.

Her arm was still smarting from the last time Whitney and her thug buddy roughed her up at the club.

Today, she was hell–bent on humiliating Whitney.

With a sneer, Roselyn said, “Whitney, this is a Hermès counter. Can you read it? Do you think you’re

still that jet–setting socialite who used to be front row at fashion shows?

And you, sales clerks, times have changed. Why are you letting every Tom, Dick, and Harry in here to

pollute the view of us esteemed VIPs?”

The clerk, eager to appease Roselyn, immediately looked at Whitney with disdain.

Tiana was about to rush forward in Whitney’s defense, but Whitney stopped her with a hand.

Roselyn picked up a dress with an air of superiority, “This is Monica’s custom gown worth 880 grand.

You’re with some nobody who can’t even afford my medical bills. Do you think you can afford a scrap of

this dress? And what are you wearing?”

She viciously pulled at Whitney’s collar to inspect her clothes, “Monet? Ha, must be a knockoff!

Everyone, take a look! The once untouchable Ms. Valentine is wearing fakes now. Oh, how the mighty

have fallen! Sales clerks, be careful, don’t let the poor steal anything!”

Whitney wanted to laugh, curious about what L would say if he heard someone questioning the

authenticity of his clothes.

“Shouldn’t you be throwing out this down–and–out who can’t afford to buy anything with a black card?”

Roselyn thought smugly, sure that publicly stepping on Whitney would earn her points with Monica.

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The clerk hesitated, moving to usher Whitney out.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Whitney produced her smartphone, with a gold–embossed black

card resting on top. She approached the counter and calmly said, “I’ll take the entire collection in this

store, including the dress she’s holding – the precious gown Monica wants.” She glanced back at

Roselyn with a mocking smile.

The store fell into an eerie silence, punctuated only by gasps.

The clerks‘ faces transformed, and Roselyn’s turned ashen.

Disbelieving, Roselyn charged at her. “Impossible, how could you have a black card? Clerk, check her

card. It must be a fake!”

Whitney completed the transaction without batting an eyelid, and millions were paid successfully!

Roselyn’s face turned livid, and the onlookers began to mock her.

Tiana snatched the gown from Roselyn and tore it, sneering, “See now? We don’t even bother tearing

into people like you. Oops, my bad, I tore it a bit. But ragged clothes suit a vile person like Monica

anyway. Here, take it back to her with my compliments!”

“Tiana, you bitch, you…”

“What’s the matter, can’t afford a black card and still not scurrying away, waiting for me to kick your

ass?” Tiana’s voice was fierce, and she looked ready to throw a punch.

Roselyn left the store, clutching the torn gown, her face devoid of all dignity.

She immediately called, whining, “Monica, Whitney tore your dress!”

“What? You can’t handle this one thing. You’re useless!” Monica’s voice was icy.

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Roselyn’s face darkened with malice. She and Monica were just fair–weather friends. If it were not for

Monica’s current power, she would not bother sucking up. Holding back her rage, she informed Monica,

“Whitney has a

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Chapter 22

gold embossed black card. She just bought the whole store’s collection and humiliated me thoroughly.”

Monica, full of envy, scoffed. “Impossible, are you blind? Whitney’s barely making ends meet. Didn’t

you say that her nobody boyfriend couldn’t even pay your medical bills, and now she has a black card?

They’re probably putting on airs with borrowed money!”

She did not care about what Roselyn said, her voice filled with venom as she said, “That bitch, she’s

caused scandals for my mother, Ha, my dad has already forgiven my mom, and she’s working on

something. Wait and see how long Whitney can strut around. She’ll be done for soon.”

Roselyn immediately flattered, “Yvonne sure is skilled.”

Meanwhile, in the Valentine Mansion’s bedroom.

In the afternoon, Yvonne used all her tricks to please Preston, and after his mood visibly improved, she

finally lay down, panting.

Though aging. Yvonne’s figure was still youthful, but the effort left her breathless. She clenched her

fists when thinking about how Whitney had exposed her past. Fortunately, Preston had quashed the

trending searches, and the taunts from the other high society ladies had subsided. Yvonne had

managed to preserve her reputation and status.

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Cuddling Preston, she cooed, “Darling, I’ve dealt with Phebe. She finally agreed to Simon and Monica’s

engagement. But Monica still needs a dowry. If we gave the East Side resort as a generous gift, our

daughter would shine.”

“Then it’s hers,” he said simply.

Yvonne’s eyes gleamed, “But Whitney’s grandfather left that resort. Even though we’ve taken all her

assets, the resort needs her signature.”

Preston looked at her, and Yvonne’s eyes reflected a ruthless smile. “That girl has crossed us all, hurt

Monica, and had you attacked… This time, when she comes back, not only will I make her sign, but I’ll

also ensure she never causes trouble again. Then no one will compete with Monica for the jewelry

contest.”

Understanding her meaning, Preston’s expression darkened, and he nodded. “You’ve done well with

Monica’s engagement.”

Yvonne felt a shiver of triumph. She would kill two birds with one stone, ensuring the downfall of that

bitch.

Back at the boutique, Tiana teased Whitney about her black card, “And here I was, wanting to buy you

a dress to cheer you up, but you had a trump card up your sleeve.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ve been fighting with your Lutz family fiancé, haven’t you? And your old man’s cut you off?”

Whitney hit the

nail on the head.

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Tiana’s expression took a slight dip before breaking into a teasing grin. “Your mysterious hubby must

be loaded! You swipe that card for a few million, and he doesn’t even call to chew you out. Whitney,

seriously, no matter who he is or how he looks, you should totally snag him!”

Whitney just sighed. The credit card was a parting gift from L before she left, and she had not intended

to use it at all. “I was just showing off for a second. I’m planning to return all the clothes later,”

“Return them? No way, you should try this one on, and this one!” Tiana thrust a couple of outfits at

Whitney and pushed her towards the fitting rooms.

As Whitney opened Facebook to explain the spending spree to a certain someone, Tiana was already

pestering her from the outside. “Hurry up! I want to check out the handbags next. Come out and show

me how it looks!”

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