Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1196

Sienna stormed back, cheeks burning with humiliation after Shane’s flat-out rejection. She ran to Emma, her grandmother, clinging to her arm.

“Nana, did you hear that?” Sienna sobbed, her voice shaky and shrill. “Shane didn’t give you a shred of respect! He outright said he’d never marry me… and he’s been making eyes at Sandy! I swear that little tramp is trying to steal him away!”

She sniffled, casting a bitter glance across the room. “Sandy and Whitney—they’re two of a kind. Just look at her now, cozying up to Whitney, acting all smug.”

She faltered, her grief raw. “Florence is gone, Nana. I’ve got no one left to lean on.”

“Nana, if you don’t stand up for me, Whitney and Sandy will eat me alive. I’m terrified Shane doesn’t want me. Do you know what a laughingstock I’ll be in Manhattan?”

She pressed a trembling hand to her chest, her voice growing more desperate. “And it’s not just me—I’d be dragging your good name through the mud, too.”

She lowered her voice, darting a glance at the nearby mourners. “If Whitney takes control of the Sheldon family, you know how heartless she is. What if she comes after you first?”

Emma banged her cane against the marble floor with a steely glare. “Over my dead body!” she spat, her patience worn thin by Sienna’s tears and accusations.

Seeing her grandmother’s anger flare, Sienna wept even harder, sniffling for effect. “She absolutely would! Once she’s got the Sheldon Group and with Uncle coddling her, we’ll have to bow and scrape just to get by…”

“That’s why you need to step up,” Emma said, her eyes sharp as she took Sienna’s arm. “Let’s go outside, your grandpa doesn’t need to hear this.”

Sienna quickly steadied Emma as they slipped out of the funeral home’s grand foyer. Once they were out of earshot, Emma’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.