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

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

on the stage made her forget the

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

you’re so lucky to be marrying off to a genius

good

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

an honor it was,

towards the stage. She shot an evil smile at Whitney

Mr. Lippert did not start the

the stage when she began to

was when the deep, powerful voice of the

Monica was stunned!

voice calling her name

her hand in a

the man

What did that mean?

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

speculated

out first! After all, one bad

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

plagiarizer.” The man did not even glance

the footage on

attention turned to the

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

stepped back,

in an uproar when the next

2nd. However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original

the screen. How did her nemesis have

accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now under criminal investigation, to be taken into

a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away

a man of high esteem, was taken away just like

grasping the gravity of the situation, looked in awe at the man

fell silent, everyone stunned

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