Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 9

Under the looming shadow of the towering Skye Gem Ltd., Whitney gazed up at the tower with a heavy heart.

Once a legacy left by her grandfather, Skye Gem had flourished under her stewardship since she had taken the helm at the tender age of twenty. Within three years, she had propelled it to new heights. Initially, she had thrown her full support behind Simon, allowing him to assume the CEO role while she contentedly settled into the shadows as the General Manager, tirelessly aiding him. She had always believed they were destined to be a family, but in just ten short days... How swiftly fortunes change.

With fists clenched, Whitney bypassed the lobby and made a beeline for the shareholders' meeting room at the pinnacle of the building.

The door was ajar. As she entered, her eyes were involuntarily drawn to the scandalous tableau sprawled across the boardroom table.

Monica was perched on the table, wrapped in Simon's embrace. His tall frame bent over her, passionately kissing her neck.

Monica's eyes, alight with triumph, met Whitney's, even as she feigned helplessness, "Oh, Simon, such a shame. This was her favorite table."

Whitney’s heart had already broken into pieces on the day of the kidnap, yet the betrayal before her was a fresh wound to her already shattered heart.

She had naively imagined a different scene at this very table where Simon, seated at the head, with her by his side, worked in harmony, bound by love. She cherished working here, on this table that was once her grandfather's, a precious heirloom now desecrated.

How many times had they dishonored it?

Whitney faced Monica's mocking smile head-on. If Monica sought provocation, she would get her wish.

Without a word, Whitney grabbed a glass of water and dashed it in her direction.

"Ah!" Monica shrieked, her hair soaked. She turned, her voice incredulous, "Sis?"

Simon's head whipped around, his handsome features freezing as he laid eyes on Whitney, his gaze flickering with complexity.

Monica, feigning fragility, nestled into his embrace, drawing his attention to a deliberately exposed hand injury.

Simon’s brow furrowed, concern evident. "Monica, what happened to your hand?"

With eyes pleading, Monica glanced at Whitney, "When we went to bring Whitney home yesterday, she... She accidentally cut me in her anger..."

"What?" Simon's expression darkened at the sight of the wound. "Whitney, they were trying to help you, and you repay them with violence? That's inexcusable!"

Whitney could barely suppress a bitter laugh. Even numb hearts bleed.

She locked eyes with the man she once loved. To them, her kidnapping was justified, but her retaliation was deemed excessive.

Simon's face hardened as Monica sobbed in his arms, playing the victim to perfection, knowing full well Simon's weakness for the downtrodden. After all, was it not Whitney’s strength that had once made him feel inferior, driving him into Monica’s arms?

The previous day, Whitney had beaten her and her mother up, and today, she would give her a piece of her mind.

"Simon, don't blame her," Monica sniffled.

Whitney walked over, sneering as she said, “Hear that? She’s asking you not to blame me. Maybe it doesn’t hurt.”

The next moment, she grabbed Monica’s hand, slammed it on the table, and pressed down on her wound with a fountain pen.

“Ahh!” Monica screamed like a pig.

“Whitney!” Simon yelled, his face ashen and vicious.

Whitney, however, was unaffected. Calm and collected, she waved her still-wounded hand at him. “An eye for an eye. When are you going to settle the debt of taking my life?”

Looking at her indifferent face, a glint of regret flashed past Simon’s eyes. He justified his actions by blaming it on her for not letting go of the company’s control.

Monica cried with feigned softness. “Simon, she still blames us.”

Simon's momentary softness vanished, replaced by a cold inquiry. "You're no longer the General Manager of Skye Gem. Why are you still here?"

Monica snuggled against Simon and flaunted the title 'General Manager' emblazoned in gold across her chest.

A chill settled in Whitney's gaze.

Once, Simon had made a promise before her, "Whitney, you will always be my General Manager."