Chapter 50


    Took! The CEO of Imperial Gem Corporation has just arrived!


    “Why is Mr. Lippert here? That man is so stunning. He’s giving me a heart attack!


    “Imperial Gem Corporation is the jury for the jewelrypetition. Does Mr. Lippert need a reason to


    attend his own award ceremony?”


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Royalty has graced us with his presence, and everything shines brighter!”


    Amid the cacophony of screams, Whitney snapped back to reality as Tiana pulled her briskly into the


    center of the hall, eximing, “OMG, my idol! Whitney, could it be your nemesis might actually show up


    to back you?”


    Whitney blinked away the dazzle from the man’s aura and gave Tiana a wry look. “How could that be?”


    Tiana grimaced. “Yeah, right. He didn’t even show up for the prelims. Why the sudden appearance at


    the awards?”


    Whitney was just as puzzled, her gaze fixed on the man on the stage in a sharp ck suit, standing tall


    and striking.


    He adjusted his tie with an air of elegance, taking his seat under the spotlight. His angr face, straight


    nose, and thin lips gave him a deeply chiseled look that was breathtaking no matter how many times


    one looked.


    Suddenly, his gaze cut through the crowd andnded a piercing intensity on Whitney.


    Whitney paused. Had she seen it wrong?


    He looked away, picking up his phone and furrowing his brow as he typed something out.


    Whitney’s thoughts were hazy when a staff member suddenly brought over two chairs and ced them


    in the middle of the audience, gesturing for them to sit.


    Tiana was speechless.


    “Whitney, who’s showing you such kindness? Giving a seat front and center to someone on the verge


    of being fired?”


    Whitney was just as confused. “Must be a mistake.”


    Again, she felt thatmanding gaze upon her. Looking up, it was gone.


    Basking in the limelight and oblivious to the smallmotion, Monica was busy epting


    congrattions. from all around.


    Then the host announced, “And now Mr. Lippert will announce thepetition winners.”


    The room fell silent. Monica’s heart raced as the handsome and prestigious man on the stage made


    her forget the good looks of Simon beside her. Her girlish heart fluttered uncontrobly.


    “Monica, to have the grand Mr. Lippert present you with the first prize, I’m so envious, and to have the


    perfect fiancé!”


    “Phebe, you’re so lucky to be marrying off to a genius designer daughter–inw.”


    Phebe, always one for good appearances, beamed with pride.


    Monica, smug as ever, cooed, “Phebe, when I go up to receive my award, I’d like to invite you to join


    me!”


    What an honor it was, and Phebe readily agreed.


    Monica could not wait to stand up and walk towards the stage. She shot an evil smile at Whitney on her


    way.


    However, Mr. Lippert did not start the award presentation.


    Monica was almost at the stage when she began to feel awkward.


    That was when the deep, powerful voice of the man echoed, “Where’s Whitney? Raise your hand


    Monica was stunned!


    Her nemesis’s maic voice calling her name made Whitney freeze, too.


    She slowly raised her hand in a daze.


    Hmm,” the man uttered curtly, expressionless.


    What did that mean?


    Monica was now awkwardly standing there, guessing that Mr. Lippert was about to strip Whitney of her


    The audience spected as well.


    “Mr. Lippert’s probably going to kick Whitney out first! After all, one bad apple spoils the bunch at an


    award ceremony!”


    Seeing everyone guessing the same, Monica steadied her expression, sneering as she looked at


    Whitney and lifted the mic with feigned concern. “Mr. Lippert, are you about to fire the giarizer?


    Could I possibly ask you to cut my sister some ck?”


    “Yes, we’re firing the giarizer.” The man did not even nce at her, his face cold as he gestured to


    his assistant.


    The assistant immediately cast the footage on the big screen.


    Everyone’s attention turned to the screen.


    The assistant spoke, “Mr. Lippert is announcing a list of individuals who attempted to bribe the judges.


    Here is surveince from October 1st at Imperial Gem Corporation’s office. Skye Gem Ltd’s President


    Simon and contestant Monica attempted to bribe Mr. Lippert with andscape painting worth 26 million


    dors in exchange for first ce. Imperial Gem Corporation epted it, but only to keep it as


    evidence.”


    Monica’s face drained of color. She stepped back, unable toprehend what was happening.


    The audience was in an uproar when the next piece of evidence hit the screen.


    “The first prize piece, The Vintage Diamond,‘ shows Monica’s design dated October 2nd. However, Mr.


    Lippert received Whitney’s original concept on September 28th, preserved in email records!”


    Now, it was Whitney’s turn to be shocked. She gaped at the screen. How did her nemesis have her


    draft from the day she consulted L?


    The assistant continued the live announcement, “The head judge Aaron has epted bribes to aid


    Monica in cheating and is now under criminal investigation, to be taken into custody immediately!”


    Two officers appeared on stage and handcuffed a dumbfounded Aaron, escorting him away right there


    and then!


    Aaron, a man of high esteem, was taken away just like that!


    The audience, slowly grasping the gravity of the situation, looked in awe at the man in the chairman’s


    seat.


    The room fell silent, everyone stunned by the dramatic twist.


    Monica stood there, pale as a ghost, her mind a muddled mess as she stared at the formidable man.


    She could not understand how, with just a few sentences, he had hurled her from heaven straight into


    hell.


    She was supposed to shine, to be the first–ce winner.


    But a cold sweat broke out as she stared at the incontrovertible evidence on the screen. Her feet


    tangled in her gown, and she fell to the floor as if dropped into a pit of ice.


    The journalists finally snapped out of their shock.


    17.50


    The room exploded


    “Mr. Lippert, is this all true? Monica bribed you, stole Whitney’s work, and then rigged thepetition


    with Aaron’s help, only to frame Whitney as the giarizer?!”


    The reporters‘ trantion made even the slowest audience members catch on.


    They gasped, eximed, and looked at Monica with a mix of shock and disbelief.


    Monica’s fall to the ground was a pitiful reflection of her guilty conscience!


    “No, I didn’t—I didn’t giarize Whitney.” Monica scrambled to her feet, desperately trying to salvage


    her


    The reporters swarmed around her, “But Mr. Lippert himself presented the evidence! Monica, how do


    you exin this?”


    Monica looked over at Ludwik, not daring to utter a single word of denial.


    If she crossed him again, Skye Gem would be doomed!


    Seeing her silence, the reporters pressed on, “So Monica, you giarized with intent. Why would you


    steal from Whitney? Aren’t you a genius designer?”


    “Why even ask? Good heavens, we’ve all been fooled by her innocent facade! Maybe she’s been riding


    Whitney’s coattails all along?” Spected a member of the audience.


    The reporters dashed towards Whitney, “Miss Whitney, have you been wronged?”


    Tiana squeezed Whitney’s hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears. This was their moment! Whitney


    of having their authenticity confirmed by the CEO of Imperial Gem Corporation. I have been wronged


    and I have never giarized. On the contrary, the person who used me of giarism has been


    giarizing me!”