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.

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

“And now Mr. Lippert will announce the competition

handsome and prestigious man on the stage made

Lippert present you with the first prize,

so lucky to be marrying off to a genius

always one for good appearances, beamed

when I go up to receive

honor it was, and

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

not

stage when she

when the deep, powerful voice of the man echoed,

Monica was stunned!

voice calling her name

slowly raised her hand

man uttered curtly,

What did that mean?

there, guessing that Mr. Lippert was about

speculated as

probably going to kick Whitney out first! After all, one bad apple spoils

steadied her expression, sneering as she looked at Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern.

not even glance at her, his face

the footage on the

turned to

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

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

in an uproar when the next piece of

October 2nd. However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original concept on September

gaped at the screen. How did her nemesis

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

stage and handcuffed a dumbfounded

of high esteem, was

situation, looked in awe at

room fell silent, everyone stunned by

she stared at the formidable man. She could not