Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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.
"You think I don't see through Whitney?" she said, cold and calculating. "That's exactly why you must marry into the Nelson
family, Sienna. You have to win Shane over!"

vel
She squeezed Sienna's hand. "I've done everything I can. Mrs. Nelson and I go way back. Shane's been running the Nelson
Group for years he's the most eligible bachelor in the city. But he's flighty, never settles down, and it's driving Mrs. Nelson crazy."

A knowing smile crept onto Emma's lips. "This is your chance. With your family background, Mrs. Nelson with be thrilled. The
families know each other, it's perfect. All you need is... to make your move. Get Shane alone, spend the night together-once it
happens, there's no going back!"
Emma's eyes glittered. "Once you're Mrs. Nelson, I'll finally have some leverage over Whitney."
She pursed her lips, voice darkening. "Whitney's nothing but an outsider, no matter how long your uncle's kept her around. She'll
never truly be one of us. I won't let the Sheldons' legacy fall into her hands."
She gave Sienna's arm a subtle squeeze. "You hear me? Figure out a way to stay with Shane tonight. Once you do, he can't
back out."
The implication hung in the air. Sienna was silent, finally understanding Emma's plan-her grandmother always was the shrewdest
in the family.
But the thought of getting Shane into bed made Sienna's heart race. She pouted, feigning innocence. "But Nana, what if he
hates me even more after that? What if I just push him away for good?"
Emma scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Once you two have slept together, what choice does he have? Besides, he's got a kid
from someone else he can't afford to be picky. You're a catch, Sienna.”
Her voice grew cold. "Sienna, Sandy isn't even truly family. I love you, and that's why you can't give her an inch. For all we know,
Whitney's already egging her on to seduce Shane."
Sienna rolled her eyes. "As if! Sandy should look in the mirror before she tries to steal my man. Don't worry Nana-you've given
me the perfect plan. make sure Shane never looks at anyone else. For your sake, be the next Mrs. Nelson
She smiled sweetly, fussing over Emma, already plotting her next move.