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.

and oblivious to the small commotion, Monica

host announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will announce

the stage made her forget the good looks of Simon beside

you with the first prize, I’m so envious, and to have the

you’re so lucky to be marrying off to a genius designer

for good appearances,

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

honor it was, and Phebe readily

stand up and walk towards the

Mr. Lippert did not start the award

almost at the stage when she began

deep, powerful voice of the

Monica was stunned!

voice calling her name made

her hand in a

man uttered

What did that mean?

Mr. Lippert was about to strip Whitney of

audience speculated

Whitney out first! After all, one bad apple spoils the bunch at an

the mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire the plagiarizer?

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

assistant immediately cast the footage on

attention turned to

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

face drained of color. She stepped back, unable to

in an uproar when the

However, Mr. Lippert received

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

“The head judge Aaron has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and

a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right there

esteem, was taken

the gravity of the situation, looked

everyone

mess as she stared at the formidable man. She could not understand how, with just