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.

the small commotion, Monica

now Mr. Lippert will announce the

stage made her forget the good looks of Simon beside her. Her girlish heart

you with the first prize,

be marrying off to a genius

one for good appearances, beamed with

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

was, and Phebe

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

did not start the

the stage when she began to

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

Monica was stunned!

nemesis’s magnetic voice calling her

slowly raised her hand in

man uttered curtly,

What did that mean?

Lippert was about to strip Whitney of

speculated as

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

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 the plagiarizer? Could

did not even glance at her, his

immediately cast the

attention turned to the

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 only

face drained of color. She stepped back, unable

audience was in an uproar when the next piece of

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

was Whitney’s turn to be shocked. She gaped at the screen. How did her nemesis have her draft from the day she

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

stage and handcuffed a dumbfounded

a man of high esteem, was taken

of the situation, looked in awe at the man

everyone

formidable man.