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.

turned Skye Gem Ltd. into a disaster. Whitney is here to help the

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

to escort the duo

he returned, Whitney was already

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

her sketch and buying a

1/3

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Chapter 73

it’s beyond her means! How did she get her hands on such a high–end work? Not only has that little cheat risen from the

wealthy businessmen to get some investment funds. We need to dig into who’s backing her.” Whitney said, her memory drifting to Yvonne’s arrogant tone upstairs. “Check who Yvonne’s been cozying up to these last

vigorously, “And that international judge–who just happened to be in the country

it was, with the ability to influence an international judge, was not to

checking the international jewelry association’s records. A thought struck her. “Wasn’t

lit up. “Right! Let’s get her

he’s probably unaware of the competition scandal. If you were to

him, and the international committee has significant influence in the competition, on par with Imperial Gem. It wouldn’t be easy to ask him to

we thought she

why we need to expose who’s behind her,”

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

Lutz family, one of the four magnates, would undoubtedly host a grand celebration

easily taken down. By the way, I’ve

it was, took the flash

Whitney pondered who Yvonne had turned

she found herself unexpectedly longing for his presence, despite the chill he brought to the house.

to initiate

freshly bathed and radiant, with a natural glow on her cheeks. She

a meeting, for crying out loud. What was she playing

deep breath, he snapped his phone shut with

Whitney was puzzled.

a message: [I’m in a meeting, with a bunch of execs. Who are you trying to impress with that disheveled look?]

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Whitney replied: […]