Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 267

"Call me anytime if you need anything," Bryce said, his words few but his tone solid.

After ending the call, Whitney carefully placed a mask over her son's face, ensuring it fit snugly, and carried him into the private elevator.

As the floors passed by, the light indicators showed that each one was bustling with activity. Even the offices of key executives and shareholders were stirring with the beginnings of a workday.

Whitney's smile tightened into a cold curve as she reached the top floor. Stepping out of the elevator, she caught a glimpse of Elaine's back as she entered the boardroom.

Quickly setting her son down, Whitney's expression shifted as she pulled out her car keys. "Honey, you're such a smart cookie. Do you know how to get to the car and hide?"

Danny sensed the urgency in his mom's voice and nodded.

"Mommy will be back in ten minutes. Now, scoot to the car and play, but stay safe!" Whitney instructed hastily.

The little guy turned and hurried back to the elevator.

Whitney straightened up, took a deep breath, and, with the click of her high heels, made a beeline for the shareholders' office.

Upon entering, she found the old shareholders and Elaine laughing and joking, blatantly buttering her up.

"Elaine, under your leadership, Skye Gem Ltd. is sure to get back on track. A bright new future awaits the company!" one said with enthusiasm.

"I've always heard about Elaine's remarkable ability to manage. It's no wonder the boss holds you in such high regard. Congratulations on your upcoming good fortune," chimed another.

"Elaine, I've brought you this ginseng, a rare delicacy from abroad. Please..."

"Looks like everyone's here," Whitney interrupted with a sneer.

Elaine, basking in the flattery, glanced up at Whitney and felt a block in her throat.

Ludwik hadn't come home last night, and this morning, after checking his sports car's GPS log, she found a new address – one linked to this wretched woman's apartment!

But at this moment, Elaine felt a surge of satisfaction.

With a feigned smile, she said, "Ms. Valentine, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit to my new company?"

Her words were laced with hidden barbs.

Whitney smirked silently, pulled a chair aside from the main table, and sat down with a flourish. She scanned the room. "Your new company? If my memory serves me right, it was just last night that I personally paid the auction house to redeem Skye Gem Ltd."

Elaine brushed off imaginary dust and glanced at Jaxon.

Jaxon, smug as ever, laughed. "Ms. Valentine, the boss adores Elaine. He's wealthy and influential; securing the company from the auction house is a mere formality for him."

This reassured the shareholders even further.

Over the past three years, their stakes in Skye Gem Ltd. had been frozen and eventually liquidated. Elaine's willingness to take over the company, backed by Mr. Lippert's power, promised a soaring comeback for Skye Gem Ltd.

They had caught wind of this development early on and had waited it out instead of cashing in their shares with the bank. Now, they were eager for the auction of assets.

The last thing they wanted was for Whitney to reclaim Skye Gem Ltd.

Mr. Percy, one of the original shareholders of Skye Gem Ltd., spoke up with impatience. "Some people, I don't understand why they bother coming back. Do you even have the face for it?"

"Exactly, Whitney. Under your management, Skye Gem Ltd. crumbled and nearly went bankrupt three years ago.

Not only did you fail to run the company, but you also vanished without a trace for three years. Now that there's a glimpse of hope for the company, you have the gall to interfere?"

"Get a grip and leave, you're out of place here! If I were you, I'd skedaddle!"

The old guards chimed in one after another, badgering Whitney.

Elaine's lips curled into a barely concealed smile.