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.

to the small commotion, Monica was busy accepting congratulations. from

now Mr.

Monica’s heart raced as the handsome and prestigious man on the stage

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

be marrying off to

always one for good appearances, beamed

up to receive my award, I’d like to

was, and Phebe readily

could not wait to stand up and walk towards the stage. She shot an evil smile at

not start

stage when she

voice of the

Monica was stunned!

magnetic voice calling her

slowly raised her hand in

the man uttered

What did that mean?

standing there, guessing that Mr. Lippert was about to strip Whitney

speculated as

out first! After all, one

and lifted the mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire the plagiarizer? Could I possibly

did not even glance at her,

immediately cast the

attention turned to the

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 first place. Imperial Gem Corporation accepted it, but only to keep it

stepped back, unable

an uproar when the next

first prize piece, The Vintage Diamond,‘ shows Monica’s design dated October 2nd. However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original concept on September 28th, preserved in

screen. How did her nemesis have her draft from the day she consulted

assistant continued the live announcement, “The head judge Aaron has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating

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

high esteem, was taken away

of the situation, looked in awe at the man

fell silent, everyone

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