Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"Call me anytime if you need anything," Bryce said, his words few but his tone solid.

After ending the call, Whitney carefully placed a mask over her son's face, ensuring it fit snugly, and carried him into the private elevator.

As the floors passed by, the light indicators showed that each one was bustling with activity. Even the offices of key executives and shareholders were stirring with the beginnings of a workday.

Whitney's smile tightened into a cold curve as she reached the top floor. Stepping out of the elevator, she caught a glimpse of Elaine's back as she entered the boardroom.

Quickly setting her son down, Whitney's expression shifted as she pulled out her car keys. "Honey, you're such a smart cookie. Do you know how to get to the car and hide?"

Danny sensed the urgency in his mom's voice and nodded.

"Mommy will be back in ten minutes. Now, scoot to the car and play, but stay safe!" Whitney instructed hastily.

The little guy turned and hurried back to the elevator.

Whitney straightened up, took a deep breath, and, with the click of her high heels, made a beeline for the shareholders' office.

Upon entering, she found the old shareholders and Elaine laughing and joking, blatantly buttering her up.

"Elaine, under your leadership, Skye Gem Ltd. is sure to get back on track. A bright new future awaits the company!" one said with enthusiasm.

"I've always heard about Elaine's remarkable ability to manage. It's no wonder the boss holds you in such high regard. Congratulations on your upcoming good fortune," chimed another.

"Elaine, I've brought you this ginseng, a rare delicacy from abroad. Please..."

"Looks like everyone's here," Whitney interrupted with a sneer.

Elaine, basking in the flattery, glanced up at Whitney and felt a block in her throat.

Ludwik hadn't come home last night, and this morning, after checking his sports car's GPS log, she found a new address - one linked to this wretched woman's apartment!

But at this moment, Elaine felt a surge of satisfaction.

With a feigned smile, she said, "Ms. Valentine, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit to my new company?"

Her words were laced with hidden barbs.

Whitney smirked silently, pulled a chair aside from the main table, and sat down with a flourish. She scanned the room. "Your new company? If my memory serves me right, it was just last night that I personally paid the auction house to redeem Skye Gem Ltd."

Elaine brushed off imaginary dust and glanced at Jaxon.

Jaxon, smug as ever, laughed. "Ms. Valentine, the boss adores Elaine. He's wealthy and influential; securing the company from the auction house is a mere formality for him."

This reassured the shareholders even further.

Over the past three years, their stakes in Skye Gem Ltd. had been frozen and eventually liquidated. Elaine's willingness to take over the company, backed by Mr. Lippert's power, promised a soaring comeback for Skye Gem Ltd.

They had caught wind of this development early on and had waited it out instead of cashing in their shares with the bank. Now, they were eager for the auction of assets.

The last thing they wanted was for Whitney to reclaim Skye Gem Ltd.

Mr. Percy, one of the original shareholders of Skye Gem Ltd., spoke up with impatience. "Some people, I don't understand why they bother coming back. Do you even have the face for it?"

"Exactly, Whitney. Under your management, Skye Gem Ltd. crumbled and nearly went bankrupt three years ago.

Not only did you fail to run the company, but you also vanished without a trace for three years. Now that there's a glimpse of hope for the company, you have the gall to interfere?"

"Get a grip and leave, you're out of place here! If I were you, I'd skedaddle!"

The old guards chimed in one after another, badgering Whitney.

Elaine's lips curled into a barely concealed smile.

Unphased, Whitney casually cleaned her ear, then fixed her gaze on Mr. Percy. "Three years ago, Skye Gem Ltd. was pushed to the brink of bankruptcy under Ludwik's coercion. I thought it was common knowledge that Ludwik is our mutual enemy. Have you all grown so old that you're bending over for him now? This sycophantic display is truly contemptible."

Mr. Percy and the others turned red with embarrassment. Everyone knew what Ludwik had done to Skye Gem Ltd., but to businessmen, profit was king. Whoever could make them the most money was their 'daddy.'

Director Liu stepped forward. "Cut the crap. The bottom line is, Whitney, you mismanaged the company!

Now that Elaine has bought Skye Gem Ltd., it's none of your business anymore. Still dreaming of being the CEO?

Keep causing trouble and don't blame us for being ruthless. The security will escort you out!"

"Let's all calm down," Elaine interjected sweetly. "Ms. Valentine was the former CEO, after all. She might still be attached to the company. But Ms. Valentine, you need to face reality. Ludwik adores me. He's legally procured the company to give to me. Rest assured, I'll manage it well." "Oh, Elaine, why are you so polite to her? You're just too kind!"

"I heard Whitney even confronted you last night. She's done so many terrible things to you before. You're really magnanimous."This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

"Compared to her, Whitney, you're utterly useless. Why are you still lingering here? If I were you, I'd just leave quickly!"

The room erupted with voices of support for Elaine, as the old shareholders practically tripped over themselves to please her.

Whitney looked at them with a cold laugh. Three years ago, when she and Ludwik were in the midst of a divorce and Skye Gem Ltd. was in trouble, these were the same people clamoring to sell their shares.

And there stood Director Liu, who had sold the Skye Gem Ltd. building, now acting self-righteous.

As for Elaine, she had sabotaged Skye Gem Ltd. three years ago.

After three years, Whitney had no intention of letting the company fall into Elaine's hands to be ruined.

With a calm demeanor, she pulled out the auction agreement from her bag and slapped it on the table. "I'm not sure what backdoor Mr. Lippert has given Elaine, but what I have here is a legally certified payment agreement!"

The shareholders were momentarily stunned. Hadn't Elaine said last night's auction was null and void?

Jaxon quickly retorted, "Ms. Valentine, the head of the auction house is already processing the sale with Elaine. Don't confuse matters. Your payment has been refunded to you!"

Whitney lounged back in her chair, legs crossed, an air of nonchalant defiance about her as she faced the boardroom onslaught. "Whitney, have you no shame? Trying to waltz in and take over the company without lifting a finger?" Mr. Percy bellowed, his face red with fury.

The other shareholders rose from their seats in solidarity, their voices a chorus of indignation. "You've been paid out; now beat it!"

Elaine watched from the sidelines, a smirk playing on her lips, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

But Whitney was unbothered, glancing coolly at Elaine. "Why are you looking at me like that, Elaine? The refund hasn't hit my account yet, and the paperwork's not even complete. You want the CEO seat at Skye Gem Ltd.? Come back in a few days, sweetheart."

Elaine's smugness faltered, her face drained of color as she found herself at a loss for words.

"Now, let's get one thing straight-Skye Gem Ltd. is still under my command. Elaine, darling, why don't you show yourself out?" Whitney declared with a wave of her hand.

Elaine clenched her fists, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she retorted, "Ms. Valentine, enjoy your little moment. In two days, the company will be mine!"

"As long as I'm having fun," Whitney shot back with bravado.

With all eyes on her, Elaine had to maintain her composure. She huffed dismissively and strutted out, followed by her loyal minion, Jaxon.

Mr. Percy scurried after them, eager to suck up, blatantly disregarding Whitney as a non-threat.

The remaining directors glared at Whitney, their anger palpable. "Look at the mess you've made."

"If Elaine gets upset, you'll answer to us!" they warned.

Nyx, who had hurried into the room, couldn't stand the sight of the shareholders' hypocrisy and shouted, "Ms. Valentine is still the president for the next few days, so mind your manners!"

"Pfft, if she wants to flail in her final moments, we're not sticking around to watch," they retorted, exiting the room.

Nyx turned to Whitney, his eyes rimmed red with emotion, and rushed over. "Ms. Valentine, where have you been these past three years? Rumors were you'd died!"

Whitney gave her former right hand a serene smile. "Well, as you see, I'm back."