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.

home and rest? You’ve turned Skye Gem Ltd. into a disaster. Whitney is here to help the

her. You’ll regret this!” Monica hadn’t expected

for security to escort

he returned, Whitney

downstairs, where Tiana, appearing concerned, was scrolling through

possibly memorizing her sketch and

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Chapter 73

little cheat risen from the ashes, but there’s something very odd about the whole thing. They acted so

with a few 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

that international judge–who just happened to be in the country in time to witness‘ Monica’s sketching

the ability to influence an international judge, was not to be

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

Let’s get her to look into that

of the competition scandal. If you were to appeal

par with Imperial Gem. It wouldn’t be easy to ask him to overstep the rules, especially since it’s just one event. A global company like his wouldn’t necessarily be concerned with such

in our side, resurrecting just when we thought she was done

who’s behind

well–being, particularly given the downfall of 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

one of the four magnates, would undoubtedly host a grand

head with a smile, “I’m fine, I won’t be easily taken down. By the way,

of what it was, took the

pondered who Yvonne had turned to

home to an empty house, with L away on business, she found herself unexpectedly longing

she decided to initiate a video call

glow on her cheeks. She was modestly dressed in a cotton nightgown that hinted at the delicate

eyes froze, his expression suddenly rigid. He was in the middle of a meeting, for crying out loud. What was she playing at? Did she have no self–control, to be flirting

he snapped his phone

Whitney was puzzled.

[I’m in a meeting, with a bunch of execs. Who are you trying

12:14

Whitney replied: […]