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.

coldly, “Monica, why don’t you head home and rest? You’ve turned Skye Gem

with her. You’ll regret this!” Monica

called for security to escort

returned, Whitney was

car downstairs, where Tiana, appearing concerned, was scrolling

the netizens slamming Monica for possibly memorizing her sketch and buying

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Chapter 73

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.

of artwork 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 some investment funds. We need to dig into who’s backing her.”

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

to influence an international judge, was not to

international jewelry association’s records. A thought struck her. “Wasn’t Valerie studying abroad in Maelstrom Country?”

eyes lit up. “Right! Let’s get her

the competition scandal. If you were to appeal to him, could

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

like a thorn in our side, resurrecting just when we thought she was done for.

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

a heartfelt apology. “I’m sorry, love, but I won’t be able

four magnates, would undoubtedly host

“I’m fine, I won’t be easily taken down. By the way, I’ve

what it was,

her thoughts, Whitney pondered who Yvonne had

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

to initiate a video call

bathed and radiant, with a natural glow on her cheeks. She was modestly dressed in

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 with him right

a deep breath, he snapped his phone shut with a loud

Whitney was puzzled.

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

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Whitney replied: […]