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, Monica

Mr. Lippert will

man on the stage made her forget the good looks of Simon beside her. Her girlish heart

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

so lucky to be marrying off to a genius designer

one for good appearances,

I go up to

honor it was, and

the stage. She shot an evil smile at Whitney on

did not start the

almost at the stage

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

Monica was stunned!

her name made Whitney freeze,

slowly raised her hand in

man

What did that mean?

guessing that Mr. Lippert was about to

audience speculated

kick Whitney out first! After all, one

Monica steadied 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 ask

The man did not even glance at her, his face cold as

the footage on the

turned 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.

of color. She stepped back, unable

audience was in an uproar when the

Diamond,‘ shows Monica’s design dated October 2nd. However, Mr. Lippert received Whitney’s original concept on September

was Whitney’s turn to be shocked. She gaped at the screen. How did her nemesis

bribes to aid

on stage and handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right

of high esteem, was taken

the gravity of the situation, looked in awe

fell silent, everyone stunned by the dramatic

ghost, her mind a muddled mess as she stared at the formidable man.