Love Beyond the Mask

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 All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

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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10.10.

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.