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.

rest? You’ve turned Skye Gem Ltd. into a

You’ll regret this!” Monica hadn’t expected Simon to

for security to

Whitney was

appearing concerned, was scrolling through the trending topics on social

memorizing her sketch and buying a master’s piece, that

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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 risen from the ashes, but there’s something very

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

to be in the country in time

ability to influence an international judge, was not to

jewelry association’s records. A thought struck her. “Wasn’t Valerie studying

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

you were

international committee has significant influence in the competition, on 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

just when we thought

who’s behind her,” Whitney said,

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

four magnates, would undoubtedly host a grand celebration

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

was, took the flash drive

who Yvonne had turned to for

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

to initiate a

came into view. She looked freshly bathed and radiant, with a natural glow on her cheeks. She was modestly dressed in a cotton nightgown

in the middle of a meeting, for crying out loud. What was she playing at? Did she have no self–control,

he snapped his phone

Whitney was puzzled.

meeting, with a bunch of execs. Who

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Whitney replied: […]