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.

oblivious to the small commotion,

announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will announce

fell silent. Monica’s heart raced as the handsome and prestigious man on the stage made her

Mr. Lippert present you with the first prize,

lucky to be marrying off to

good appearances, beamed

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

was, and Phebe readily

the stage. She shot an evil smile at Whitney on her

Mr. Lippert did not start the

almost at the stage when she began to

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

Monica was stunned!

nemesis’s magnetic voice calling her name made

her hand in a

the man uttered

What did that mean?

Mr. Lippert was

audience speculated as

first! After all, one bad apple spoils the bunch at an award

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 I possibly

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

immediately cast the footage on the big

turned to

Gem Corporation’s office. Skye Gem Ltd’s President Simon and contestant Monica attempted to bribe

stepped back, unable to comprehend

was in an uproar when the next piece of evidence hit

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

be shocked. She gaped at the screen. How did her nemesis have her draft from

head judge Aaron has accepted bribes to aid Monica in cheating and is now under criminal investigation,

stage and handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right

high esteem, was taken

gravity of the situation, looked in awe at the

room fell silent, everyone

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