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.

small commotion, Monica was busy accepting congratulations. from

announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will announce the

fell silent. Monica’s heart raced as the handsome and prestigious man on the stage made her forget the good looks of Simon beside her.

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

you’re so lucky to be marrying off to

one for good appearances, beamed with

I go up to receive my award,

it was, and

wait to stand up and walk towards the stage. She shot an evil

Mr. Lippert did not

almost at the stage when she began

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

Monica was stunned!

voice calling her name made Whitney

her hand in a

the man

What did that mean?

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

speculated as

After all, one bad

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

even glance

assistant immediately cast the footage

turned

“Mr. Lippert is announcing a 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

stepped back, unable to comprehend what was

the next piece of

However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original

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

announcement, “The head judge Aaron has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now under criminal investigation, to be

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

a man of high esteem, was

situation, looked in awe at the man in the

room fell silent, everyone stunned by

stared at the formidable man.