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.

small commotion, Monica was busy accepting congratulations. from

Mr. Lippert will announce the

on the stage made her forget

with the first prize, I’m so envious,

be marrying off

good appearances, beamed with

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

honor it was, and Phebe readily

towards the stage. She

did not start

stage when she began to

deep, powerful voice of the man echoed,

Monica was stunned!

calling her name made

raised her

man uttered curtly,

What did that mean?

there, guessing that Mr. Lippert

speculated

Whitney out first! After all, one

with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to

man did not even glance at her, his

assistant immediately cast the footage

attention turned to the

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 was

in an uproar when the

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

the screen. How did

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

handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away

high esteem, was taken away just like

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

silent, everyone stunned by

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