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.

you? Thought you were so smart, Whitney. Did you really think

as Tiana approached, her face as

reporters were snapping photos of Whitney’s downfall, and the onlookers whispered among themselves, especially the shareholders from Skye Gem, who scorned Whitney for her audacity

shouted them away, pulling Whitney

up the crushed laptop. Tiana whirled around, her eyes

have

you, wasn’t

believe

1/3

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

had access to your laptop/ Trana

sand her gaze thoughtful “Remember October 2nd,

replied. “We had a gathering with Stella on October

assistant. Has anyone else

The assistant declared

frowned, but her eyes held

mean every single

came out of the ad room and held it for me for

pretty face going

had already settled into

How could it be Stella? We’ve known

was why she had never suspected and why

was a whisper crushed

“Where’s Stella now?”

party at the Royal

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

her?” Tiana’s heart was heavy. “But what if it’s not her? We

cancer, Monica will indeed have

her lip and

will you make her confess? If she denies everything and we have no

a cold laugh. “That’s

Whitney to the Royal

was Banyan City’s most exclusive

guarded privilege, comprising the city’s

pull strings just to