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

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

handsome and prestigious man on the stage made her forget the good looks of Simon

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

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

it was,

stand up and walk towards the stage. She shot an evil

did not start the

the stage when

when the deep, powerful voice of the

Monica was stunned!

nemesis’s magnetic voice calling her name

slowly raised her hand in a

the man

What did that mean?

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

audience speculated

After all, one bad

at Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to

the plagiarizer.” The man did not even glance at her, his face cold as he gestured to

the footage

turned

assistant spoke, “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 attempted to bribe Mr. Lippert with a landscape painting worth 26 million dollars in exchange for first place. Imperial Gem

stepped back, unable to comprehend what

uproar when the next piece of

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

be shocked. She gaped at the screen. How did her

has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now under

a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right

esteem, was taken away

gravity of the situation, looked in awe at

silent, everyone stunned by the dramatic

pale as a ghost, her mind a muddled mess as she stared at the formidable man. She could not understand