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

Mr. Lippert will announce the

raced as the handsome and prestigious man on the stage made her forget the good looks of Simon beside

Lippert present you with the first prize, I’m so

so lucky to be marrying off

one for good appearances,

go up to receive my award, I’d like to invite you to join

it was, and Phebe readily

the stage. She shot an evil smile at Whitney

Mr. Lippert did not start

was almost at the stage when

the deep, powerful voice of the man

Monica was stunned!

magnetic voice calling her name made

raised her hand

man uttered

What did that mean?

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

speculated as

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

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

plagiarizer.” The man did not even glance at her, his face cold

the footage on the

attention turned

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

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

in an uproar when the next piece of evidence hit the

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

gaped at the 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 and is now under criminal investigation, to be

handcuffed a dumbfounded

man of high esteem, was

of the situation, looked

silent, everyone stunned by the

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