Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 50

Took! The CEO of Imperial Gem Corporation has just arrived!

“Why is Mr. Lippert here? That man is so stunning. He’s giving me a heart attack!

“Imperial Gem Corporation is the jury for the jewelry competition. Does Mr. Lippert need a reason to attend his own award ceremony?”

Royalty has graced us with his presence, and everything shines brighter!”

Amid the cacophony of screams, Whitney snapped back to reality as Tiana pulled her briskly into the center of the hall, exclaiming, “OMG, my idol! Whitney, could it be your nemesis might actually show up to back you?”

Whitney blinked away the dazzle from the man’s aura and gave Tiana a wry look. “How could that be?”

Tiana grimaced. “Yeah, right. He didn’t even show up for the prelims. Why the sudden appearance at the awards?”

Whitney was just as puzzled, her gaze fixed on the man on the stage in a sharp black suit, standing tall and striking.

He adjusted his tie with an air of elegance, taking his seat under the spotlight. His angular face, straight nose, and thin lips gave him a deeply chiseled look that was breathtaking no matter how many times one looked.

Suddenly, his gaze cut through the crowd and landed a piercing intensity on Whitney.

Whitney paused. Had she seen it wrong?

He looked away, picking up his phone and furrowing his brow as he typed something out.

Whitney’s thoughts were hazy when a staff member suddenly brought over two chairs and placed them in the middle of the audience, gesturing for them to sit.

Tiana was speechless.

“Whitney, who’s showing you such kindness? Giving a seat front and center to someone on the verge of being fired?”

Whitney was just as confused. “Must be a mistake.”

Again, she felt that commanding gaze upon her. Looking up, it was gone.

limelight and oblivious to the small commotion, Monica was busy

the host announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will announce the competition

and prestigious man on the stage made her forget the good looks of Simon beside her. Her

have the grand Mr. Lippert present you with the first prize, I’m

you’re so lucky to be marrying off to a

for good appearances, beamed

ever, cooed, “Phebe, when I go up to receive my award, I’d like

honor it was, and Phebe

to stand up and walk towards the stage.

did not

at the stage

the deep, powerful voice of the man echoed, “Where’s Whitney? Raise

Monica was stunned!

her name made Whitney

raised her hand in a

the man uttered

What did that mean?

there, guessing that Mr. Lippert was about

audience speculated as

all,

as she looked at Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire the plagiarizer? Could I possibly ask you to cut my sister

firing the plagiarizer.” The man did not even glance at

immediately cast the footage on

attention turned to the

is surveillance from October 1st at Imperial Gem Corporation’s office. Skye Gem Ltd’s President Simon and contestant Monica attempted to bribe Mr. Lippert with a landscape painting worth 26 million dollars in

drained of color. She stepped back,

when the next piece of evidence hit the

Monica’s design dated October 2nd. However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original concept on September

screen. How did her nemesis have her draft from

the live announcement, “The head judge Aaron has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now under criminal investigation, to be

on stage and handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right

high esteem, was taken away just like

the situation, looked in

room fell silent, everyone stunned

as a ghost, her mind a muddled mess as she stared at the formidable man. She could not understand how, with just a few sentences, he had hurled her from heaven straight