Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Whitney looked at her for a moment and then nodded with a smile.
“Whitney, you’re incredibly talented! Did you finish your preliminary sketches? Can I take a peek?” Stella said, her interest piqued
as she moved closer to sit with Whitney.
Tiana chuckled, “Come on, Stella, who are you kidding? I know you’re the one who least liked hitting the books. What’s got you
suddenly so interested in jewelry design?”
Chapter 36
Whitney hurned her head to ven Stella’s expression hidden by a curts of blonde hair. Then Stella lifted her paze chuckling. Tve
been dying to land that Imperial Gem Corporation campaign, and you, my dear Whitney. could give me a crash course in all
things sparkly
Whitney curled a lips, powering up her laptop to show her Tve only got halfway through the design.”
“Wow, this is gorgeous, Stella admired intently, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.
After a while longer in conversation, Stella stood up, Tm going to freshen up in the ladies‘ room. Anyone care to join?*
Tians tossed her a mask, “Go ahead, you knockout.”
with a playful laugh, Stella swept through the curtain and left.
Whitney’s gaze casually followed, and for a short moment, she thought she saw Monica.
She stood up quickly and peeked outside, but the hallway was empty.
“What’s up?”
“Must’ve been seeing things,” Whitney shrugged it off. Aquatic Harmony Club was their secret little hideout; how could Monica
possibly know about it?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a slight frown furrowing her delicate brows.
“What’s on your mind?” Tiana nudged her.

Whitney pondered momentarily, “Tiana, don’t you feel like Stella seems a bit different since she got back?”
“Different, how?”
Whitney could not quite put her finger on it; there were no apparent changes. Maybe it was just her imagination, “After all that’s
happened to me, she only asked once. And she seemed a bit edgy, steering the conversation toward the jewelry competition out
of the blue.”
“You overthink things because you’re too smart for your own good. It’s normal for her to be eager for success in showbiz. She’s
also chasing that ad campaign, which explains her sudden interest in jewelry. Chill out. We’ve been besties for years. Don’t let

the Valentine family drama make you distrust everyone. At least you can trust me and Stella.”
Tiana gripped her hand with a reassuring laugh, and Whitney’s gloom lifted. Right, why was she doubting her best friends?
Stella returned from the restroom and touched up her makeup, and about two minutes later, another charming figure exited and
went in a different direction.
The trio headed to Tiana’s place, where Whitney had left some reference books.
Stella’s agent soon picked her up while Whitney stayed behind, browsing through books as she continued her designs.
As evening approached, Whitney thought about L, who should be finishing work soon. The thought of her rival Ludwik Lippert
getting fresh with her made her feel guilty about L back home. Should she call him?
As if reading her thoughts, Tiana teased, “Missing your pretend hubby? Call him. You should have him come to pick you up;
you’re pregnant, after all.”
Before Whitney could respond, Tiana snatched her phone, found L’s number, and dialed.

As soon as the call connected, she returned the phone to Whitney. With a heated cheek, Whitney answered, “Hello, L?”
“May I help you with something?” A woman’s soft and pleasant voice answered from the other end.
Thutney stiffened and Tiana’s expression darkenet “Whos this? Where’s the owner of this preu
He is resting. Did you need him for something? The woman’s tone was nonchalant buit Whitney sensed aft antony in her claim.
Whitney recalled the female silhouette in the car that picked up 1 one morning
Her smile faded, and her lashes fluttered down as she quickly said. ‘It’s nothing”
She hung up, the phone feeling awkward in her hands. With a cold, dim gaze, she wondered why he would be resting in the
afternoon. The woman’s voice sounded too intimate. What was he resting from?
The more she thought, the worse she felt. She reminded herself that she had built walls; his life was none of her concern!
something was lodged in her heart, causing discomfort. If he truly had a lover, why deny having a girlfriend that day? Why give
her favorite books, help with her sketches, and flirt...
Whitney... Maybe it’s just a female colleague, Tiana tried to lighten the mood.
“Do you believe that? Besides, in a transactional marriage, his affairs are none of my business,* Whitney feigned nonchalance.
I’m crashing at your place tonight, I’ve got to finish my drafts.“–
“Sure, you can even sleep over, no problem!” Tiana offered.

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Whitney did not go home that night, staying over at Tiana’s. L did not call, and she scoffed at the thought that he probably felt no
need to explain himself.
The next day, Whitney was still at Tiana’s when Natalie called. Fearing worry, Whitney hurriedly grabbed her laptop and returned
to the villa.

Natalie touched her shoulder, asking carefully, “Whitney dear, are you and that boy having a tiff?”
“Not at all,” Whitney shook her head, feigning calm.
That’s good. I wondered why you hadn’t come home. He’s been busy, he might not have been able to look after you these past
few days. Don’t be upset, okay?”
He had probably been very attentive to someone else.
Whitney thought bitterly. Then Natalie suddenly chuckled, “Actually, I didn’t ask you to come back. Your husband wanted you to
deliver something to him. He should be free tonight to spend some time with you.”
Whitney was puzzled, “Mom, what am I delivering, and where to?”
To this hotel. Here’s the package. The driver will take you,” Natalie said as she handed Whitney a bag and hurried her into the
car.
Throughout the drive to the hotel, Whitney was in a daze. A servant led her into an aromatic suite that seemed too intimate for
comfort.
Just as she turned her head, the servant shut the door from the outside, advising, “Sir asked you to take a bath and rest first.
The bag contains your nightgown.”
So, he had her come to deliver... her own nightgown?
Whitney was utterly baffled. The clock had struck seven in the evening, and after two grueling days on a deadline with little
sleep, she felt exhaustion creeping in. Deciding to take a quick shower, she emerged to find she had no pajamas to wear. Thus,
she had no choice but to put on something thin with ears and a tail in her bag. Too tired to care, she slipped into the odd garment
and collapsed onto her bed, succumbing to sleep almost instantly.
At eight o’clock, the corridor echoed with the sound of steady footsteps. Clad in a sharp, tailored suit that

struggled to contain his towering frame, exuding an air of refined austerity, a man approached. His expression was stern, his
presence commanding.
Upon seeing Taryn, the man’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What’s the madam doing at a hotel at this hour?”
“She finds the silence here conducive to her art. She’s probably working on her illustrations, sir. Please, go on an.” Taryn said
with a smile. “By the way, you’ve been so busy. I bet you haven’t eaten yet. Ms. Natalie made you some soup to chase away the
chill.”
The man’s eyebrow quirked as he fixed his gaze on the door, his mind on the petite woman inside. Without another glance, he
took the steaming soup and drank it down.
Then he turned the doorknob and strode into the room.
The space was dimly lit, the air perfumed with a delicate scent that seemed to emanate from the woman herself.
A sudden ripple passed through his Adam’s apple.
Taryn quickly hurried back to the corner, where Natalie was smiling slyly. “Just one bowl of that nourishing soup, and I bet they’ll
patch things up! I’ve sensed something off between them since the hospital visit.”
“But ma’am, are you sure about this ‘matchmaking‘? What if the young master finds out...”