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.

in the limelight and oblivious to the small commotion, Monica was busy accepting congratulations. from all

the host announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will

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

the first prize, I’m so envious, and to

be marrying

one for good appearances, beamed

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

honor it was, and

the stage. She shot an evil smile at Whitney

Lippert did not start the

at the stage when she

of the man

Monica was stunned!

calling her

her hand in

the man uttered curtly,

What did that mean?

that Mr. Lippert was about to strip Whitney

speculated

After all, one bad apple spoils the bunch at

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

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

immediately cast the footage on the big

turned to the

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 first

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

was in an uproar when the next piece of evidence hit

The Vintage Diamond,‘ shows Monica’s design dated October 2nd. However, Mr. Lippert

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

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

handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right there

man of high esteem, was taken

slowly grasping the gravity of the situation, looked in

fell silent, everyone stunned by

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