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.

continued. “You still don’t get why you’ve been played, do you?

her face as pale as

downfall, and the onlookers whispered among themselves, especially

them away, pulling Whitney

Tiana whirled around, her eyes blazing as

could have gotten to the

wasn’t

believe me…”

1/3

assistant quetly and then stopped Trane’s hand. Don’t be rash, Tiana. It wasn’t

had access to your laptop/ Trana trembled with

het Whitney sand her gaze thoughtful “Remember October 2nd,

a gathering with Stella on October 1st, and you stayed at my place on

Has anyone else touched

not? The assistant

her eyes held

back I mean every single person, every

the bathroom, she came out of the

her pretty face going

expression had already settled

believe it. “You’re joking, right? How could it be Stella? We’ve known her

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

was a

“Where’s Stella now?”

celebration party at the Royal One

the car, her face weary. “Then

if

out this cancer, Monica will indeed

lip and fell

If

eyes with a cold laugh.

Tiana drove Whitney to the

Banyan City’s most exclusive venue, its owner a

guarded privilege,

to pull strings