Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 39

Monica stood on the stage, tears glistening in her eyes, looking every part of the role of a pitiful beauty.

Below, the crowd was pointing fingers at Whitney, their voices raised in anger, “If you can’t produce evidence from your computer, get off the stage! Monica is the true design prodigy!”

“Whitney, you don’t deserve to compete. Plagiarism could get you expelled.”

Just at the charity ball the other week, this woman was spreading rumors about Monica’s miscarriage. Now it seems she was framing her all along!” Someone sneered sarcastically from the audience.

The murmurs grew louder.

Whitney stood amid the accusations, her expression icy. Monica had come prepared this time.

“No, it’s not true!” Her assistant burst out angrily, rushing forward. “I watched Whitney work tirelessly through the night on this piece. Monica, you manipulative witch, twisting the truth…”

“Enough,” Aaron interjected, raising his hand. “Whitney, what’s left to argue if you can’t show proof? Plagiarists have no place here, and you’re disturbing the peace! Security, escort these two out.”

Without further ado, Whitney and her assistant were ushered unceremoniously out of the exhibit hall.

The sky was a heavy gray, mirroring the storm brewing in Whitney’s heart. Seated on the steps outside, she reopened her laptop and searched thoroughly once more.

The file folder was gone, her history erased without a trace.

Whitney’s eyes narrowed in cold fury.

Suddenly, her laptop was smashed under a high–heeled shoe!

Monica strutted over, her secretary holding an umbrella to block the pressing reporters. She taunted Whitney with a smirk, “Sis, thanks for creating such a marvelous piece. It won unanimous praise from the judges, no doubt snagging the preliminary round’s crown.

Sure, Simon had already sweet–talked Aaron for me, guaranteeing my victory, but winning with your draft? That’s an indescribable thrill!”

Monica’s whisper was venomous. She pinched Whitney’s cheek maliciously. “You bet everything on this competition, hoping to ruin me and make a comeback. But look at you now. After today, your name will be mud, infamous across the internet. What jewelry company would employ a notorious plagiarist? Whitney, you’re finished! Skye Gem Ltd. is out of your reach!”

Monica left with a triumphant laugh, her recent humiliations avenged.

Whitney remained silent, her gaze icy as she shook off Monica’s hand and stood.

why you’ve been played, do you? Thought you were so smart, Whitney. Did you really

approached, her face as

and the onlookers whispered among themselves, especially the shareholders from Skye Gem, who scorned Whitney for

them away, pulling

crushed laptop. Tiana whirled

could have gotten

was you, wasn’t

I swear, Whitney, please believe me…” Her

1/3

then stopped Trane’s

else had access to your laptop/ Trana

thoughtful “Remember October 2nd, Tiana? What day

then replied. “We had a gathering with Stella on

assistant. Has anyone else touched this

not? The assistant declared

her eyes

every single

the bathroom, she came out of the ad room and held

froze, her pretty face

had already settled into icy

joking, right? How could it be Stella? We’ve

it either.” That was why she had never suspected and why Monica’s trap was

was a whisper crushed

“Where’s Stella now?”

a celebration party at

the car, her face weary. “Then let’s go to the Royal One

heavy. “But what if it’s not her? We

is her and we don’t root out this cancer, Monica will indeed have the last laugh.”

bit her lip and

will you make her confess? If she denies everything and we

her eyes with a cold

to the Royal One Club with a

City’s most exclusive venue, its owner a

a closely guarded privilege, comprising the city’s elite

strings just