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 commotion, Monica was busy accepting congratulations.

announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will announce the

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

the first prize, I’m so envious,

to be marrying off to a genius

good appearances,

smug as ever, cooed, “Phebe, when I go up to receive my award, I’d like to invite you to join

an honor it was, and Phebe readily

to stand up and walk towards the stage. She shot an evil smile at Whitney on

Lippert did not start the award

at the stage when she began to

was when the deep, powerful voice of the man echoed,

Monica was stunned!

her name made Whitney

raised her

man uttered

What did that mean?

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

speculated as

to kick Whitney out first! After all, one bad apple spoils

she looked at Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire the plagiarizer? Could I possibly ask you to cut my sister some

glance at her,

assistant immediately cast the

turned to

“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

face drained of color. She stepped back, unable to comprehend what was

audience was in an uproar when the next piece of evidence hit the

piece, The Vintage Diamond,‘ shows Monica’s design dated October 2nd. However,

at the screen. How

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

and handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting

esteem, was

situation, looked in awe at the

silent, everyone stunned by the

man. She could not understand how, with just a few sentences, he had hurled