Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 69
She knew too much, so he couldn’t shake her off just yet!
With the Valentine Corporation in peril and Yvonne’s uncle, who had invested in the corporation multiple times, he suddenly
remembered Yvonne’s worth. Preston’s face turned thunderous as he tried to help her up.
But Yvonne, filled with resentment, shrugged him off and straightened up, heading upstairs with dignity, “You better remember
who can save the Valentine Corporation in its hour of need and be grateful to me!”
Her flawless makeup took years off her face. That night, Yvonne arrived at a five–star hotel and knocked on a door.
The man who opened the door was fat and lavish, in his fifties or sixties. His eyes lit up at the sight of Yvonne, “You’ve come, my
dear niece.”
Yvonne pushed away his wandering hands with a playful scold, “Just let me in first, Uncle Kyler. then we can talk.”
And “talk” unfolded in its most intimate ways.
This man, Kyler, was an “uncle” Yvonne called in her younger days when she was involved in the entertainment industry. He ran
a large company in Emperor City..
But Yvonne’s sights were set not on him, but on his wife’s illustrious family, the Bartels of Emperor City.
Emperor City was a rich and powerful place that everyone envied. It made her hometown of Banyan City insignificant.
The Bartels were a force to be reckoned with, a true dynasty, and Kyler’s wife, whom Yvonne called her Auntie, was just a distant
relation of that family.
Over the years, Yvonne had been currying favor and aiming to weasel her way into the Bartels‘ main family. She proudly claimed
to be their niece, and it gave her an edge in society.
“Uncle Kyler, you must help me,” Yvonne implored tearfully. “Could you plead with the Bartels on behalf of your poor niece and
her daughter?”
After her ‘ministrations,‘ she secured a 500 million dollar investment for the Valentine Corporation.

The next day, Kyler brought astonishing news – he had the Bartels‘ heiress coming to meet them, who was moved by their plight.
For Yvonne, this was an unprecedented honor.
She had never been able to break into the Bartels‘ inner circle, let alone meet the renowned Elaine Bartels.
Monica was dumbstruck, “Mom, is that the cousin you’ve always told me about? The most powerful and noble one?”
Yes, Yvonne had instilled in Monica the drive to cling to power and status. She regarded Elaine Bartels as a high–born cousin,
and she was brimming with pride.
Standing at the pristine entrance of the Valentine Mansion, they nervously awaited Elaine.
A Maserati pulled up. Monica thought her cousin had a taste for understatement.
But when the woman stepped out, her presence was anything but understated. Surveying the Valentine Mansion with a glance,
she entered with an air of ownership.
Monica was struck by her cousin’s beauty, which rivaled that of Whitney, the woman she loathed.
Elaine was so young; her eyes were twinkling with an effortless aristocracy and depth.
Monica’s attention, however, was captured by the low–key but exceedingly valuable watch on her cousin’s wrist.
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In the face of such grandeur, the mother and daughter felt utterly inadequate.

The woman sipped her coffee with a discerning eye, seemingly unimpressed.
Kyler, out of nervousness, managed to stutter out, “Elaine Bartels.”
“Leave us alone.” Elaine commanded.
Kyler hastily complied.
Elaine regarded the mother and daughter with a soft voice, “Uncle Kyler told me that you are some kind of relatives of his.
Hearing your predicaments, I’m a bit touched and willing to help. Who are you up against?”
“Whitney,” Monica spat with venom.
Elaine’s smile held a hint of mischief.
Raising an eyebrow, she blew on her coffee, “Monica, I hear you’ve been embroiled in a plagiarism scandal. But don’t worry, I
have the power to bring you back from the brink and ensure you stay in the competition. And this is the condition: follow my
instructions to the letter, keep my identity secret, and remember your place. Understood?”
Yvonne and Monica were dumbstruck by the sheer luck. They could hardly contain their excitement.
Monica trembled with the prospect of staying in the competition and of crushing Whitney. That was so great.
Elaine glanced at her, then produced a design draft from her bag, placing it on the table with a chill in her tone, “This is your
comeback design. Learn it well. In two days, you’ll draw it live. You’re not so foolish as to fail at that, are you?”
“I can,” Monica assured her, astonished by the design. “Cousin Elaine, are you a jewelry designer too? This is even better than
Whitney’s work.”

Elaine smiled with a hint of disdain in her voice, “What is she, after all? With my support, you two just need to be obedient, and
Whitney will be vanquished overnight.”
Monica felt a chill down her spine as she observed Elaine’s beautiful yet intimidating face. This woman’s machinations were
beyond their wildest imaginations.
Monica shivered as Yvonne enthusiastically invited Elaine to dine, and Monica cordially offered her a tour of the Valentine
family’s home.
Elaine’s interest piqued, “Where is Whitney’s bedroom?”
Monica frowned, sensing a cold interest from Elaine. Did she know Whitney too? Did she also have a grudge?
That would be perfect! Monica thought with hatred.
Suddenly, as Elaine passed Monica’s bedroom, she caught sight of a striking jade half ring on the wall.
“What’s that?” Elaine’s expression shifted as she stepped inside.
Monica followed and saw it was a half–ring made of crystal–clear, high–quality jade – an item from the past she had almost
forgotten.
“Why on earth is this in your possession?” Her icy eyes were fixed intently on Monica.
Monica shivered under the penetrating gaze of her older cousin. Steadfast in her honesty, she confessed, “This... this belonged
to Whitney! saw her bring it home years ago, and she put it on her desk. I thought it looked really valuable, so I... I took it. Too
bad it’s only half a ring, otherwise it would’ve fetched a fortune at the
arity auction!”
The woman’s gaze dilated with surprise as she examined the fragmented ring.
Monica, puzzled, wared as her
cousin handled the half–ring with delicate reverence; then with a gentle smile, she said, “I like it, Monica. Would you give it to
me?”

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She was akin to a goddess to Monica and her mother, so her wishes were commands.
Eager to please her, Monica chirped, “Of course! I would give you anything. Mom and I are ever loyal to you.”
“Good,” Elaine smiled, clutching the half–ring tightly in her palm as if she had just secured the winning hand in
a game.
That was perfect.
Beneath the warmth of her smile, a chilling intent surged forth like a wave of ice. She probed, “Whitney knows about
medication?”
Monica frowned, her voice turning cold, “Who knows? Her mother always had her shrouded in mystery. But one thing’s for sure–
she hardly ever got sick!”
Elaine’s eyes narrowed as she drew in a breath and descended the staircase.
All the vexations were swept away, except for the enviable shock that the half–ring, the object of her dreams, literally belonged to
Whitney.
Ludwik had given it to Whitney. So she was the girl who had occupied the deepest recesses of his heart all these years.
Elaine had never anticipated this. And so, it was clearer that Whitney had to go!
She had been looking for that girl all this long and never knew that the girl was right in front of her eyes.
But now she became the savior. Again, her features relaxed into a radiant smile.