Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Charity auctions were often ripe with landscape paintings, and they were aiming to curry favor with Imperial Gem Corporation through the back door, Whitney mused.

Tiana expressed her concern. “We need to cozy up to Mr. Lippert as well! Remember that spat you had with your nemesis at the Southern Elegance Club? The registrations are coming up, and I wonder if you’ll still be as defiant.”

Whitney wrinkled her nose in irritation. “Can we not talk about that nauseating man right now?”

“Fine, let’s talk about Monica. She’s got all your best drafts in her grip. Those are enough for Monica to enter numerous competitions and scoop up awards. Can you produce something better in such a short time?”

Whitney took a deep breath.

In the past, she had been naive. A sweet word from Simon, and she would comfort herself with the thought that she was still young, handing over her work to Monica, foolishly helping Simon elevate Monica to the status of a genius designer!

Whitney spoke with an icy detachment, “She may have the drafts, but I have the brains!”

vowed to reclaim it, piece

about time you make your comeback in the competition,” Tiana said, her eyes brimming with

squeezed her

designs soon. How about we hit the mall

head, Whitney said, “I want

terrifying,” Tiana thought, but her eyes gleamed with mischief as she grinned and said, “Alright, let’s

toward the imposing Imperial Gem Corporation building, where Whitney was caught off guard. “Why are you taking me to our arch–rival’s company?”

a jewelry exhibition at Imperial Gem today, and rumor has it Mr. Lippert will make an appearance around lunch. You

on romance novels or what?” Whitney fumed. “How

might be

in front of the building, a Rolls–Royce at its center. The car door swung open, and a pair

with an austere elegance; his profile alone

face, just as striking as when

crowd of onlooking women as security