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

around with her. You’ll regret this!” Monica hadn’t expected Simon to resist her and stormed out

to escort

he returned, Whitney was

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

possibly memorizing her sketch and buying a

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Chapter 73

Whitney, 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 ashes, but there’s something very odd about the whole thing. They acted so quickly–who’s got

matches the caliber of a top–tier–jewelry designer. As far as I know, Yvonne used to sleep with a few wealthy businessmen to get

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

ability to influence

A thought struck her.

“Right! Let’s get her to look

unaware of the competition scandal. If you were to appeal

“I’m not well–acquainted with 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 overstep

our side, resurrecting just when we thought she was done for.

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

– a moment Whitney had long anticipated – Tiana offered a heartfelt apology. “I’m sorry, love, but I won’t

of the four magnates, would undoubtedly

won’t be easily taken down. By the

was, took the flash drive

thoughts, Whitney pondered who Yvonne had turned

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

initiate a video

radiant, with a natural glow on her cheeks. She was modestly dressed in a cotton nightgown that hinted at

out loud. What was she playing at? Did she have no self–control, to be flirting with him right now?

breath, he snapped his

Whitney was puzzled.

of

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Whitney replied: […]