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.

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

host announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will announce the

stage made her forget the good

Lippert present you with the first

marrying

good appearances, beamed with

up to receive my award, I’d like to

honor it was, and Phebe readily

and walk towards the stage. She

Mr. Lippert did not

at the stage when she began to feel

voice of the man echoed,

Monica was stunned!

calling her name made

slowly raised her hand in

the man uttered curtly,

What did that mean?

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

speculated as

Whitney out first! After all, one

feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire the plagiarizer? Could I possibly ask you

glance at her, his face cold

assistant immediately cast the footage

attention turned

list 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.

drained of color. She stepped back, unable to

an uproar when the next piece of evidence hit

shows Monica’s design dated October 2nd. However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original concept on September 28th, preserved

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

accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now under criminal investigation,

handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right there and

of high esteem, was taken away

looked

fell silent, everyone stunned

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