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.
He dismissed her coldly, “Monica, why don’t you head home and rest? You’ve turned Skye Gem Ltd. into a disaster. Whitney is
here to help the company,”
“Help? You just want to fool around with her. You’ll regret this!” Monica hadn’t expected Simon to resist her and stormed out
angrily.
Simon called for security to escort the duo out.
When he returned, Whitney was already gone.
Whitney entered Tiana’s car downstairs, where Tiana, appearing concerned, was scrolling through the trending topics on social
media.
“Despite the netizens slamming Monica for possibly memorizing her sketch and buying a master’s piece, that
1/3

12:14
Chapter 73
design, 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 that much clout?”
You’ve hit the nail on the head that piece 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.” Whitney
said, her memory drifting to Yvonne’s arrogant tone upstairs. “Check who Yvonne’s been cozying up to these last few days.”
Tiana nodded vigorously, “And that international judge–who just happened to be in the country in time to witness‘ Monica’s
sketching prowess?”
Whoever it was, with the ability to influence an international judge, was not to be underestimated.
Whitney frowned, quickly checking the international jewelry association’s records. A thought struck her. “Wasn’t Valerie studying
abroad in Maelstrom Country?”
Tiana’s eyes lit up. “Right! Let’s get her to look into that judge.”
“Whitney, Mr. Lippert didn’t 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 out for good?”
Whitney contemplated, “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 the rules, especially since it’s just one event. A
global company like his wouldn’t necessarily be concerned with such details.
“But Monica’s like a thorn in our side, resurrecting just when we thought she was done for. Her work today had some serious
backing.”

“That’s why we need to expose who’s behind her,” Whitney said, her eyes hardening.
Concerned for 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 go help out.”
The Lutz family, one of the four magnates, would undoubtedly host a grand celebration for Claire’s milestone birthday.
Whitney patted Tiana’s head with a smile, “I’m fine, I won’t be easily taken down. By the way, I’ve got some data to leave on your
computer.”
Tiana, unsure of what it was, took the flash drive and departed.
Alone with her thoughts, Whitney pondered who Yvonne had turned to for help.
Arriving 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 house.
Gathering courage, she decided to initiate a video call with him.
He picked up 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 cotton nightgown that hinted at the delicate beauty of her collarbone.
The man’s 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 with him right now?
Taking a deep breath, he snapped his phone shut with a loud click.

Whitney was puzzled.
L sent Whitney a message: [I’m in a meeting, with a bunch of execs. Who are you trying to impress with that disheveled look?]
12:14
Whitney replied: [...]
How was she to know he’d be so swamped? The man was a workaholic.
L sent another message: [Send me a picture.]
Whitney: [Why?]
L: [I didn’t get a good look before.]
“Creep,” Whitney murmured to herself, her cheeks flushed a rosy crimson as she glanced down at herself. She was dressed
quite appropriately.
Not sure what he wanted to see, Whitney decided to ignore his request: [Where are you on business?]
L: [Elate City.]
[When are you coming back?]
L: [In a couple of days. Miss me already, my dear?]
Whitney curled her lip, the urge to confide in him about the things weighing on her heart growing stronger. She was really falling
for him, wasn’t she?
With a smirk, she replied: [Not at all, Mr. L. You focus on your meeting. And remember to eat, okay?]
L: [Make sure our kid is tucked in early. And don’t you dare get cozy with your ex while I’m gone. If I catch you, you’re dead.]
Whitney was at a loss for words.
However, with his little distraction, Whitney found her mood lightening, and she eventually drifted off to sleep
in a daze.

Ludwik did not receive another message from his lady. Glancing repeatedly at his phone was an unusual behavior during his
typically stern meetings. The other executives were nearly slack–jawed with surprise.
Ludwik’s deep and serious gaze lifted, “Hmm?”
The manager who had been speaking immediately continued his presentation with renewed vigor!
Ludwik reined in his wandering thoughts. The kitten must be asleep by now.
The man, expressionless, lit a cigarette, casting an imperious look over those gathered. He furrowed his brow and inquired,
“Where’s Elaine?”