Chapter 20


    Charity auctions were often ripe withndscape paintings, and they were aiming to curry favor with


    Imperial Gem Corporation through the back door, Whitney mused.


    Tiana expressed her concern. “We need to cozy up to Mr. Lippert as well! Remember that spat you had


    with your nemesis at the Southern Elegance Club? The registrations areing up, and I wonder if


    you’ll still be as defiant.”


    Whitney wrinkled her nose in irritation. “Can we not talk about that nauseating man right now?”


    “Fine, let’s talk about Monica. She’s got all your best drafts in her grip. Those are enough for Monica to


    enter numerouspetitions and scoop up awards. Can you produce something better in such a short


    time?”


    Whitney took a deep breath.


    In the past, she had been naive. A sweet word from Simon, and she wouldfort herself with the


    thought that she was still young, handing over her work to Monica, foolishly helping Simon elevate


    Monica to the status of a genius designer!


    Whitney spoke with an icy detachment, “She may have the drafts, but I have the brains!”


    The glory Monica had stolen, Whitney vowed to reim it, piece by piece.


    “Whitney, you’re a design genius. It’s about time you make youreback in thepetition,” Tiana


    said, her eyes brimming with warmth.


    Whitney squeezed her hand in response.


    “So you’ll be busy sketching designs soon. How about we hit the mall today?” Tiana suggested, seizing


    the opportunity for a day out.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Shaking her head, Whitney said, “I want to check out the jewelry exhibition.”


    “Ambitious women are truly terrifying,” Tiana thought, but her eyes gleamed with mischief as she


    grinned and said, “Alright, let’s do it!”


    She drove them through the bustling city center toward the imposing Imperial Gem Corporation


    building, where Whitney was caught off guard. “Why are you taking me to our arch–rival’spany?”


    Tiana, starry–eyed, bubbled with excitement. “We need to butter up Mr. Lippert, right? I’ve been dying


    to see him since you mentioned his striking good looks. There’s a jewelry exhibition at Imperial Gem


    today, and rumor has it Mr. Lippert will make an appearance around lunch. You can admire the gems,


    and I’ll get a look at this dreamboat!”


    “Have you been raised on romance novels or what?” Whitney fumed. “How can you drool over my


    nemesis?”


    “Don’t jump to conclusions; you might be drooling too before long.”


    As they spoke, a line of luxury cars pulled up in front of the building, a Rolls–Royce at its center. The


    car door swung open, and a pair of long legs stepped out.


    The man adjusted his suit button with an austere elegance; his profile alone was a sight to behold.


    Whitney’s gaze involuntarily fixed on his face, just as striking as when she first saw him at the club,


    peerlessly handsome.


    Screams erupted from the crowd of onlooking women as security managed the throng. The man’s


    brows furrowed slightly.


    Tiana,pletely smitten, shouted the loudest, “Oh my God, I’m pregnant just looking at him! He’s too


    gorgeous! Whitney, hold me steady.”


    The sound of Whitney’s name made the man pause and nce over with inscrutable eyes.


    Whitney scoffed while looking at her formidable foe a few feet away. “Handsome? He’s not even as


    good–looking as my fake husband!”