Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



For three tumultuous years, Skye Gem Ltd. had weathered the storm, its shareholders eager to cannibalize it for a hefty profit, leaving me powerless to protect it for you.

Now, with Skye Gem Ltd. in the voracious grasp of Elaine's takeover, I fear we may be... Whitney curled her lips in a smirk, hushing the disappointed woman with a finger to her lips, then dialed Bryce on her smartphone.

"How's it going, Whitney?"

"Ludwik's handed Skye Gem Ltd. over to Elaine."

"I figured as much. How are you holding up?"

A warmth spread through Whitney's heart. That jerk? She'd given up on him long ago. His defense of Elaine barely made a ripple in her calm.

But Skye Gem Ltd.? They had another thing coming!

"Bryce, Elaine hasn't finalized the auction house proceedings. I've got one last shot at getting Skye Gem Ltd. back."

"Oh? Do tell," Bryce chuckled, sensing she came prepared.

"The auction house's old man, you've done business with him, right? Here's the plan: I'll have Nyx handle something for me. You feed Nyx the guy's whereabouts, give her a little nudge, and we could wrap this up tonight. I'm counting on you."

"You mean to..."

Bryce paused, amused by the implication. "Well then! You've still got the cunning of your days in the ring-all instinct."

Yeah, Whitney mused, narrowing her eyes. She knew all the moves; once, she played by the book.

Now, she refused to be pushed around again!

She leaned in close to Nyx's ear and whispered, "The auction house boss, he's got a taste for young men. Find a couple of clean-cut lads, send them over tonight. Make sure they take good care of him-and get it on camera. Give the boss his copy on the spot and save one for me."

Nyx caught on instantly, her eyes widening with surprise. Three years had changed Ms. Valentine, indeed.

Elaine stepped into the elevator, reining in her fury, slapped herself for effect, then shot a meaningful glance at Jaxon.

Jaxon nodded, understanding her game, and dialed Ludwik.

"Hello?" came the man's deep, maic voice.

"Mr. Lippert, Jaxon here. Elaine didn't want you to know, but she's had a run-in at Skye Gem Ltd. with Whitney causing a scene, even got slapped!" "What?" Ludwik's face darkened instantly at the thought of Whitney laying a hand on Elaine.

"Elaine was prepping for a shareholders' meeting when Ms. Valentine barged in, mocking her, flaunting an alleged rendezvous with you last night, leaving Elaine distressed. She's using the auction house proceedings as an excuse to squat in the CEO's office for a few days, told Elaine to get lost!" "That damn woman." Ludwik's anger flared, exacerbated by his freshly bandaged wound and the previous night's unrest. He was itching to put that shameless woman in her place.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

"Is Elaine alright?"

Jaxon glanced at the composed Elaine, "She took the elevator alone, teary-eyed. She doesn't want to bother you with this, told me not to mention it." Ludwik sighed inwardly; she was always one to endure quietly.

As Elaine exited the elevator and walked into the parking garage, her phone rang.

She squeezed out a couple of tears, her voice quivering with subdued cheer, "Ludwik, what's up?"

"Elaine, does it still hurt?"

"You... you know already..." Elaine feigned shock.

"I've told you, don't hide things from me."

Ludwik's voice grew cold, "Also, last night I just wanted to confront her about her scheming, don't misunderstand."

Elaine responded with feigned tenderness, "Ludwik, I would never fall for Whitney's provocations. I trust you. I know you'll treat me right."

"If she dared to trouble you today, I won't let her off. I'll have the auction house speed up the proceedings tomorrow. Let's see how she plays CEO then!"

"Ludwik, we can't pressure her like that."

"If she's already stepping all over you, sometimes you're just too kind. Not everyone is like you."

His tone was sharp, his intent clear.

A smirk curled the corner of Elaine's lips as she stepped out of the conference room, her spirit lifted by the thought of making Whitney suffer. Thinking she could outplay her? That woman was no match.

Elaine, now in better spirits, headed towards her Ferrari.

Suddenly, her gaze fixed on Whitney's white BMW. Elaine twirled her car keys, her eyes darkening with malice as she etched deep scratches into the BMW's hood. Abruptly, she heard a noise inside the car.

Elaine froze, peering through the front window into the dark interior-she could just make out the silhouette of a small head!

Startled at first, she quickly regained composure. But why was there a child in Whitney's car?

In a flash, she heard the car door open.

"Hey, who's there? Stop messing around!" Elaine called out, chasing after the sound.

By the time she reached the other side, all she saw was a small, black-clad figure darting between the parked cars, vanishing from sight. "Daniel...?" The name slipped out involuntarily.

The crisp suit, the delicate profile-it looked just like that little brat.

What was he doing with Whitney?

Dumbfounded, Elaine searched the rows of cars to no avail. The boy had disappeared.

"Danny?" She called out again, testing.

From the shadows beside a dark SUV, Danny's frail form tried to stay hidden, his lips set in a hard line.

It was Elaine, damaging Mommy's car!

Was it her they had encountered upstairs? That's why Mommy told him to hide.

Danny clenched his fists. He wasn't afraid of this woman!

But if Elaine discovered him, it would only be a matter of time before Daddy learned of his whereabouts.

No, Danny couldn't let that happen. He pressed himself further into the shadows.

On that side-

Elaine snapped back to reality, walking towards the dimly lit elevator doors. A flicker of unease crossed her eyes, and she immediately dialed the maid at the Everwood Villa Estate.

"Is the young master at home?"

The maid, Lyra, quickly checked upstairs, "Ma'am, the young master is indeed at home, he's in the playroom!"

"..." Elaine was puzzled and suspicious.

Who was that child then? Or had she simply seen wrong?

It was possible, given the darkness, that it could've been a cat or dog huddled next to Whitney's car.

But a shadow of doubt still lingered. The other baby, the one who had perished at sea with Whitney, had long been dead. They had even retrieved the body; it couldn't possibly be alive.

With a cold press of her lips, Elaine peered suspiciously at the surroundings of the BMW. The underground garage was already chilling to the bone. She frowned briefly and then hastened away.

Whitney gathered all the critical documents from Skye Gem Ltd., including the stagnant partnerships of three years, disputes, and all that needed her attention.

Her mind raced back to her son still in the garage.

And with Elaine leaving, she would undoubtedly pass through the underground parking lot.

Her expression shifted slightly; if Elaine stumbled upon Sammy, there would be trouble.

Whitney raced down to the parking area, the BMW's door wide open, but Sammy was nowhere to be seen...

Just as she was about to seek help, a small figure suddenly emerged. Danny, trying to look nonchalant, patted her, "Mommy! I was playing hide and seek with you."

Oh, for heaven's sake!

Whitney rolled her eyes silently, her heart doing acrobatics.

She quickly scooped the child into the car, drove out of the garage, and only then allowed herself a sigh of relief. Looking back, she questioned, "Didn't mommy tell you to stay put in the car, sweetie? Why did you get out?"

It was all about playing hide and seek with Elaine, dodging the bullet successfully.

Danny kicked his little legs up, deliberately changing the subject, "Are you done with work? Where are we going next?"

"Next up..." Whitney began, but her phone rang. It was Orion calling.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, not at all surprised, and answered with a subtle tone, "What's up?"

"You're done with your Skye Gem Ltd. business; it's my turn now, isn't it?

Imperial Gem Corporation has a partnership deal tonight, and they need your presence to seal the bid. I'll send you the details. Get ready." Orion's voice held a mischievous chuckle.

Whose bid they were snatching was implicit. Orion's tone was one of eagerness to stir the pot.