Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 73

The judges from Banyan City were a mixed bag, their expressions varying as the drama unfolded on stage.

Everyone knew that, aside from the hosting committee from the Imperial Gem Corporation, there were always important judges from international jewelry associations involved in this sort of provincial jewelry competition.

How on earth did Monica manage to rope in an endorsement from this prestigious international committee?

Some of the local judges, known for their ability to read the room, shifted allegiances, raising their objection alongside the foreign judge.

The rules were clear: expelling Monica required a unanimous vote. Any dissent meant she would remain in the running and advance to the next round,

Simon, too, witnessed the live broadcast, his handsome face stiffening with shock. Monica’s miraculous turnaround was the last thing he expected.

Her plagiarism seemed a foregone conclusion, her dismissal a certainty. Suddenly, an unexpected appearance from the normally absent international association threw their support behind Monica.

Even Whitney was blindsided. While she had anticipated some trickery from Yvonne, orchestrating influences with an international judge and presenting such an exquisite design surpassed Yvonne’s usual tactics.

What had happened behind the scenes?

Whitney’s gaze narrowed, her aura chilling.

Just then, the office door flew open, and in strutted Monica, triumph written all over her face. Catching sight of Whitney and Simon together, a sneer flickered across her features. “Bet you didn’t see that coming, Whitney,” she taunted. “I’ve turned the tables just like that!”

“Simon, I bet you’re even more surprised,” she continued, stepping up to Simon with a mocking smile, her voice dripping with smugness. “You wanted to kick me out, bring Whitney back with all this fanfare? Dream on. The Valentine family hasn’t crumbled; neither my mother nor I have. Instead, we’ve turned misfortune into a blessing. Do you have any idea…”

“Monica,” Yvonne interjected, briskly entering the room and cutting off her daughter’s careless rant.

She glanced at Whitney, a smirk barely concealed, then turned to Simon with a direct proposition. “Simon, Monica has effortlessly made a comeback. A wise man knows when to make the right decision. Return the General Manager position to Monica, send Whitney packing, and I’ll overlook your past indiscretions. Otherwise, Monica will always be out of your league.”

Whitney listened intently; her eyes narrowed.

h

Simon’s face turned ashen. Even if Monica had somehow turned the situation around, her reputation was tarnished, and it would not be easy to clear her name.

head home and rest? You’ve turned Skye Gem

You just want to fool around with her. You’ll regret this!” Monica hadn’t expected Simon to resist

security to

returned, Whitney

car downstairs, where Tiana, appearing concerned, was scrolling through the

for possibly memorizing her sketch and

1/3

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Chapter 73

means! How did she get her hands on such a high–end work? Not only has that little cheat

to sleep with a few wealthy businessmen to get some investment funds. We need to dig into who’s backing

international judge–who just happened to be in the country in time to

was, with the ability to influence an international judge, was

checking the international jewelry association’s records. A thought

lit up. “Right! Let’s get her to look into

If you were to appeal to

Imperial Gem. It wouldn’t be easy to ask him to overstep the

resurrecting just when we thought

who’s behind her,” Whitney

the Valentine family – a moment Whitney had long anticipated – Tiana offered a heartfelt apology. “I’m sorry, love, but I won’t be able to join you tonight. Gunner’s grandmother, Claire, is celebrating her eightieth birthday tomorrow, and I need to

the four magnates, would undoubtedly host a grand celebration for

fine, I won’t be easily taken down. By

it was,

with her thoughts, Whitney pondered who

empty house, with L away on business, she found herself unexpectedly longing for his presence, despite the chill he

she decided to initiate

came into view. She looked freshly bathed and radiant, with a natural glow on

meeting, for crying out loud. What was she playing

snapped his

Whitney was puzzled.

sent Whitney a message: [I’m in a meeting, with a bunch of

12:14

Whitney replied: […]