Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 30

The message from Simon read, [I know you wouldn't come out willingly, so I've got leverage. Whitney, I have your grandfather's old phone book, the one he had before he passed away. Haven't you been trying to dig into that accident for years now? Are you sure you don't want it?]

Simon knew her too well, and he had found her Achilles' heel.

Her mom and grandfather had perished in a horrific accident, or so the story went, according to Preston.

She was too young at the time, and she was studying abroad. Upon her return, she was bluntly informed of their sudden deaths. After they were gone, it was as if a giant hand had wiped away all traces of their existence.

Whitney had never questioned it before. She just wanted to know what really caused the accident. Back when she and Simon were an item, she had asked him to track down her grandfather's assistant and any leads. The phone book was probably what he had found.

But after being double-crossed by the Valentine family, she started suspecting their involvement in her mother’s and grandfather’s deaths.

On the day of the funeral, she had searched the Valentine Mansion to no avail; Preston had cleared out all of her mother's and grandfather's belongings.

The phone book could reveal who her grandfather had been in contact with. If she could get her hands on it, it would be her only lead.

Whitney decided to call him back.

Simon's voice was smug with triumph. "So, Whitney, what have you decided?"

"Where's the phone book?"

"Come meet me. Agree to my terms, and I'll hand it over."

Whitney's eyes narrowed. With a sly edge to her voice, she spoke, "How do I know the phone book is real? Show me a video of it now, and then we'll talk."

Simon agreed, and about two minutes later, he sent her a video.

Whitney squinted at the footage. Aside from the yellowed pages of the phone book, she recognized the background—the furniture, the layout—it was his bachelor apartment.

Armed with the information she needed, Whitney did not hang up in a hurry.

Simon's voice had a hint of pleasure as he said, "Meet me tomorrow night at Crystaline Bar’s private booth. You come, and I deliver."

Whitney agreed. "Fine."

"Don't stand me up!" Simon sounded genuinely pleased.

After hanging up, Whitney immediately contacted Tiana. "Tiana, do we have enough time? Did you get his location?"

Indeed, she had coordinated with Tiana before the call, asking her to trace Simon's location.

"He made the call from his bachelor apartment!"

Whitney nodded, confirming the video was shot in real-time and the phone book was there.

Tiana smirked. "So, what's your plan?"

...

The following evening.

Whitney lied to Natalie, saying she would be back before eight.

Her phone buzzed with a Facebook message from L, [What are you up to? Dare ignore my messages?]

Whitney pondered for a moment. He had told her to call him if anything came up. She furrowed her brows, her fingertips hesitating over the screen before ultimately closing Facebook.

With an indifferent expression, Whitney left for her appointment.

She needed to draw Simon out to make her move easier.

Inside Crystaline Bar's private booth, Simon stood tall before Whitney, gazing at her with a mysterious intensity.

"Come in and sit down, Whitney."

Whitney was taken aback, her face cool with alarm. "I've already refused you, Simon."

"Ha," Simon caressed her shoulder, leaning down to smell her hair. "You think I don't know how clever you are? You might fool Monica with these games, but I know you too well.

Whitney, I know you're stalling for time. The thief you sent to my place is already being held at the curb having tea with my guys!"

Whitney halted abruptly, turning around.

She had enlisted Tiana to hire a local cat burglar, planning to have him sneak into the apartment and steal the phone book while Simon was out meeting with her.

But she had not counted on Simon being so acutely aware of her tactics. His people had caught the thief red-handed!

"The phone book is back in my possession, and now, I'm not considering any deal with you. You're not going anywhere tonight anyway."

With swift motion, he scooped her up and strode over to the couch inside, proceeding to tie her up.

"What are you doing?" Whitney’s face immediately paled, but she dared not struggle too much for fear of hurting herself. She was helplessly shoved down.

Simon's eyes, heavy with intoxication, burned with enthusiasm as he leaned in to tear at her clothes. "You forced my hand. I'm going to have you tonight."

"You're insane," Whitney subtly reached for the sewing kit, but her hand was abruptly caught by his.

Simon sneered, "I know you're crafty. Don't even think about pulling any tricks."

"Let me go, Simon!"

He closed his eyes and pressed his lips onto hers forcefully.

"Stop!" Whitney clutched desperately at her clothing, fear taking over...

With a loud bang! At that moment, the door suddenly burst open.