Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

Chapter 135

Simon’s silhouette was etched in shadow as he gazed at her, a pang of panic–flavored pain shooting

through his heart.

“That’s the only thing I have left from your Grandpa, and if I give it to you, you’ll kick me to the curb,

Whitney… I admit, I realized too late. I know now that it’s you I deeply love, not Monica. Can’t you give

me another chance?”

He stepped forward, reaching out to take her delicate hand.

Whitney recoiled coolly, avoiding his grasp, and met his gaze with a hint of mockery. “If I hadn’t taken

back Skye Gem, you’d surely not be professing love for me now. The moment Monica stepped down,

your affections shifted so quickly. Now you claim to love me, yet you’re courting Scarlett.”

Simon’s mind raced back to the gala at Joyful Manor, where he had appeared with Scarlett, all

witnessed by Whitney.

He clutched his head in torment. “It was my mother’s doing. For the sake of the inheritance, I had no

choice. I was wrong, Whitney. I was fooled by Monica’s hypocritical facade. That’s why I mistreated

you. But Scarlett is just a front. Just give me some time, leave that masked man at your side. Do you

even know who he really is? How can you follow such a dangerous man? Come back to me.”

Whitney found him utterly despicable and no longer cared to entertain his pleas. Standing up, she

asked, “You won’t give me the contact book, will you?”

“I won’t–not unless you come back to me!” Simon was adamant.

“Simon, tomorrow is the deadline.” Whitney’s eyes were icy as she turned and walked away.

Once in her car, she pondered momentarily before calling a trusted manager at Skye Gem. “Contact

Troy and Faith Perlman tonight. Tell them the Skye Gem board has ousted Simon and that we’re NôvelDrama.Org holds this content.

interested in a partnership with Troy’s company. Invite them to the office tomorrow.”

The manager hesitated but quickly grasped Whitney’s intent to confront Simon and promptly set out to

arrange the meeting.

Whitney then texted Tiana, [Can you get me Scarlett’s number?]

Tiana was puzzled. Scarlett was Simon’s recent date, right? But she immediately responded: [Whitney,

what are you plotting now?]

Whitney massaged her temples; she was not plotting. She was desperate to retrieve the contact book

and reach out to her uncle, her only remaining family.

Whitney arrived early at United Realty Corporation the next morning, waiting in her office.

33.00

Felix had not returned last night, but Whitney had already contacted him. He said L would be back at

United Realty Corporation this morning.

She had their flight details and timed their arrival.

Just past nine, the office door burst open.

Castor, face scratched and bruised, stormed in, pointing an accusing finger at Whitney. “You released

that video yesterday, didn’t you? Just as I made you speak at the meeting, chaos ensued. My wife

showed up, and I couldn’t find you–you’re guilty as sin!”

Seething, he had pieced together the debacle after getting home and came straight to confront

Whitney.

Whitney stood calmly behind her desk, giving a subtle nod to Harper.

Harper quickly spread the video of yesterday’s company turmoil to Whitney’s close friends.

Whitney faced Castor with innocence and indignation. “What on earth are you talking about, Castor?

Your infidelity has become the talk of the entire company, casting a shadow on our reputation. Now,

you’re dragging the company down with you.”

“Don’t play the victim with me! You think I don’t know your game? You pushed Elaine out, and now

you’re targeting me? I won’t go down without a fight!” Castor was livid, moving to confront her.

Harper stepped between them to shield Whitney, but Whitney subtly waved her aside.

Castor, losing control, grabbed Whitney’s arm just as the door opened again. Felix stepped aside to

reveal a tall and imposing figure.

“Castor! What the hell are you doing? ” Ludwik’s voice was deep and chilling.

Castor spun around to see the intimidating CEO and stumbled backward, releasing Whitney. The

towering man approached her, his brow furrowed with concern for her well–being, before turning his icy

gaze back to Castor. “What did you want to do to my wife?”

“I’ve been wronged!” Castor trembled, desperately pleading his case. “You’re unaware, sir, that your

wife deliberately released my private video at the meeting yesterday. She humiliated me, tarnishing my

reputation and jeopardizing the hotel group’s project. That’s why I came to have a word with her.”

Ludwik did not say a word, his formidable presence quieting the room. He circled Whitney’s face,

aware of the company scandal Castor had stirred up. He assumed Whitney had been waiting for his

return today.

His piercing eyes made Whitney uneasy–after all, she had stirred up a storm in his company.

Noticing L’s mood, Whitney denied the accusation. “Castor, you have no evidence to accuse me of

sabotaging you. Without proof, your accusations are baseless.”

“You…”

“Enough.” Ludwik cut him off with a fierce edge. Leaning against the desk, he commanded the room.

“Castor, you’re fired.”

“Why?” Castor paled, his voice quivering with disbelief. “You rarely take direct control of United Realty

Corporation, and I know I’m just a minor manager, but I’ve contributed to the company. My private life

doesn’t interfere with my professional abilities. Please, be lenient!”

At this moment, Whitney spoke softly, “Causing damage to the company’s image, Castor, that’s a very

direct interference.”

“Look, only people in this firm know about the incident, and I swear it won’t leak from me. It won’t hurt

the company’s reputation!” Castor pleaded, his desperation palpable.

“Castor, your dirty laundry is trending online. Scores of women scorned by their husbands have seen

the video of you hitting your wife. They’re livid, and they’re tearing you apart on social media. You’re

infamous now.” Whitney smirked as she showed him the trending news on her tablet.

Castor slumped to the floor in disbelief. “This can’t be happening. Whitney, did you do this?”

Whitney ignored his accusation and handed a voice recorder to L. “Mr. President, I have a recording

here that you might want to hear.”

Ludwik’s gaze was stern as the audio filled the room. It was from the restaurant yesterday, Castor and

his cronies mocking Whitney behind her back.

After listening, Ludwik’s expression turned icy. “Felix, bring me everyone who spoke on this recording,

especially your secretary.”

Just then, Harper pulled out a delivery receipt from the day before, trying to vindicate Whitney. “Mr.

President, Castor bullied the VP to the point that I had to order delivery upstairs because the restaurant

manager refused to serve her.”

The receipt, a relic of Whitney’s struggle, portrayed her with a touch of vulnerability, “I was fine, really.

It’s just that I was worried about the baby.”

She cradled her belly, prompting L’s eyes to darken with resolve. He ordered without hesitation,

“Someone, throw Castor out and fire the restaurant manager, now!”

“Mr. President…” Castor’s voice trailed off. He collapsed, his face pale as ash. His eyes flickered with

fear when he looked at Whitney, realizing she had recorded their conversation, keeping evidence of

their little schemes. Today, she had turned the tables on them before the big boss.

Whitney watched, her expression still, as Castor was escorted out. This was a significant victory for her

in the United Realty Corporation, as Castor was Elaine’s biggest inside man. With him out of the

picture, she had cut off one of Elaine’s main tentacles in the company.