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

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

for security to escort the

returned, Whitney was

appearing concerned, was scrolling through the trending topics on

memorizing her sketch and

1/3

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Chapter 73

Not only has that little cheat

know, Yvonne used to sleep with a few wealthy businessmen to get some investment funds. We need to

just happened to be in the country in

was, with the ability to influence an international

thought struck her. “Wasn’t Valerie studying abroad

up. “Right! Let’s get her to look

attend today’s meeting; he’s probably unaware of the competition scandal. If you were to appeal to him, could he be persuaded to kick Monica

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

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

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

Whitney’s 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 you tonight. Gunner’s grandmother, Claire, is celebrating her eightieth birthday tomorrow, and I need to

the four magnates, would undoubtedly

be easily taken down. By

unsure of what it was, took the flash drive

her thoughts, Whitney pondered who Yvonne had

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

initiate

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

expression suddenly rigid. He was in the middle of a meeting, for crying out loud. What was she playing at? Did she have no

deep breath, he snapped his phone

Whitney was puzzled.

a meeting, with a bunch of execs. Who are you trying

12:14

Whitney replied: […]