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 was busy accepting congratulations. from all

host announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will announce

the stage made her

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

so lucky to be marrying off to a genius

one for good appearances, beamed

smug as ever, cooed, “Phebe, when I go up to receive my

an honor it was,

could not wait to stand up and walk towards the stage. She shot an evil smile at Whitney

Lippert did not start

at the stage when she began to feel

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

Monica was stunned!

voice calling her name made

raised her hand

the man uttered curtly,

What did that mean?

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

speculated

all, one bad apple spoils the bunch at an

Monica steadied her expression, sneering as she looked at Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern.

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

assistant immediately cast the footage

turned to

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

color. She stepped back,

was in an uproar when the next piece

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

gaped at the screen.

to aid Monica

handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away

man of high esteem,

looked in awe at

fell silent, everyone stunned by the

a muddled mess as she stared at the formidable man. She could not understand how, with just a