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.

in the limelight and oblivious to the small

now Mr. Lippert will announce the

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 lucky to be marrying

good appearances,

cooed, “Phebe, when I go up to receive my award, I’d like to invite

it was, and Phebe readily

wait to stand up and walk towards the

did not start the

was almost at the stage

deep, powerful voice of the man echoed, “Where’s Whitney? Raise

Monica was stunned!

calling her name made

her hand in

the man uttered

What did that mean?

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

audience speculated

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

mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert,

firing the plagiarizer.” The man did not even glance at

the

attention turned

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

face drained of color. She stepped back, unable to

an uproar when the next piece of evidence hit

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

it was Whitney’s turn to be shocked. She gaped at the screen. How did

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

and handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right

a man of high esteem, was taken away

audience, slowly grasping the gravity of the situation, looked in awe

room fell silent, everyone stunned by the

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