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.

limelight and oblivious to the small commotion, Monica

Mr. Lippert will announce the

stage made her forget the good looks

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

be marrying off to

always one for good appearances,

I go up to receive my award, I’d like to invite you

it was,

and walk towards the stage. She shot

not

at the stage when she

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

Monica was stunned!

her name made Whitney

raised her hand in

man uttered

What did that mean?

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

audience speculated as

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

mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire the plagiarizer? Could I possibly ask you to cut my sister

not even glance at her, his face cold as he gestured

the

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

She stepped back, unable to comprehend what

an uproar when the next piece of evidence hit

dated October 2nd. However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original concept on

gaped at the screen. How did her

live announcement, “The head judge Aaron has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now

officers appeared on stage and handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron,

esteem, was taken away just like

of the situation, looked in

fell silent, everyone stunned by the

there, pale as 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 had hurled her from heaven straight