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.

the small commotion,

host announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will

room fell silent. Monica’s heart raced as the handsome and prestigious man on the stage made her forget

grand Mr. Lippert present you with the first prize,

be marrying off to a

good appearances, beamed

up to receive my award, I’d like to invite you to join

an honor it was,

the stage. She shot an evil smile

Mr. Lippert did not start the award

stage when she began

powerful voice of the man echoed, “Where’s

Monica was stunned!

voice calling her

raised her hand in

man uttered

What did that mean?

there, guessing that Mr. Lippert was about

speculated

After all, one bad apple spoils the

the same, Monica steadied her expression, sneering 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

The man did not even glance at her, his face cold as he gestured

immediately cast the footage on the big

attention turned to the

“Mr. Lippert is announcing a list of individuals who attempted to bribe the judges. Here 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 exchange for

of color. She stepped back, unable to comprehend what was

the next

2nd. However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original concept on September 28th, preserved in email

shocked. She gaped at the screen. How did her nemesis have her draft from the

Aaron has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now under criminal investigation, to be taken into

and handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron,

of high esteem,

looked in

fell silent, everyone stunned

at the formidable man. She could not understand how, with just a few sentences, he had hurled her