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

fell silent. Monica’s heart raced as the handsome and prestigious man on the stage made her forget the good looks of Simon beside her.

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

to be marrying off

always one for good appearances, beamed

go up to receive

honor it was, and Phebe

the stage. She shot

not

almost at the stage

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

Monica was stunned!

voice calling her name made Whitney freeze,

her hand in

the man uttered

What did that mean?

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

speculated

going to kick Whitney out first! After all, one bad apple spoils the bunch at

sneering as she looked at Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire

plagiarizer.” The man did not even glance

the footage

attention turned to

Corporation’s office. Skye Gem Ltd’s President Simon

drained of color. She stepped back,

the next piece of evidence hit

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

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

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

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

high esteem, was

gravity of the situation, looked in awe at the man

room fell silent, everyone stunned by the

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