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,

the host announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will

fell silent. Monica’s heart raced as the handsome and prestigious man on the stage made her forget the

the grand Mr. Lippert present you with the first prize, I’m so envious, and to have the

lucky to be marrying off to a

one for good

to

honor it was, and

towards the

Lippert did not

at the stage

when the deep, powerful voice of the man echoed,

Monica was stunned!

nemesis’s magnetic voice calling her name made

slowly raised her

man

What did that mean?

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

speculated as

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

everyone guessing the same, Monica steadied her expression, sneering as she looked at Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire

glance at her, his face cold as he gestured to his

the footage on the big

turned to the

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

stepped back, unable to comprehend

uproar when the next piece of evidence hit the

However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original

screen. How did her nemesis have her draft from the day

Aaron has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now

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

esteem, was taken away

slowly grasping the gravity of the situation, looked in awe at the man in the chairman’s

room fell silent, everyone stunned

there, pale as a ghost, her mind a muddled mess as she stared at the formidable man. She could not understand