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.

limelight and oblivious to the small commotion, Monica was busy

“And now Mr. Lippert will

handsome and prestigious man on the stage made her forget the good looks of

the first prize, I’m so envious, and

so lucky to be marrying off to a genius designer

for good

I go up to receive my

honor it was, and

to stand up and walk towards the stage. She shot an evil smile at Whitney

Lippert did not start

at the stage when she

when the deep, powerful voice of the

Monica was stunned!

calling her name made Whitney

slowly raised her

the man

What did that mean?

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

audience speculated

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

she looked at Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern. “Mr.

did not even glance at her,

immediately cast the footage on the

turned

of individuals who attempted 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 place. Imperial Gem Corporation accepted it, but only

She stepped back, unable to

in an uproar when the next piece of evidence hit the

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

She gaped at the screen. How did her nemesis have her draft from the

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

handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right

high esteem, was taken

audience, slowly grasping the gravity of the situation, looked

room fell silent, everyone stunned

mess as she stared at the formidable man. She could