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, Monica was busy accepting congratulations. from

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

room 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. Her girlish heart fluttered

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

be marrying off to a

always one for good appearances,

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

honor it was, and

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

Mr. Lippert did not

the stage when she began to

of the man echoed, “Where’s Whitney?

Monica was stunned!

magnetic voice calling her name made Whitney freeze,

her hand

the man uttered

What did that mean?

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

audience speculated

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

she looked at Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire the plagiarizer? Could

not even glance at her, his face

assistant immediately cast the footage on

attention turned to

Ltd’s President Simon and contestant

of color. She stepped

when the next piece of evidence hit the

first prize piece, The Vintage Diamond,‘ shows Monica’s design dated October 2nd. However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original concept on September 28th,

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

head judge Aaron has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now under criminal

and handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right there and

esteem, was taken away

of the situation, looked in

fell silent, everyone

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