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 hostingmittee from the Imperial Gem Corporation, there were
always important judges from international jewelry associations involved in this sort of provincial jewelry
How on earth did Monica manage to rope in an endorsement from this prestigious international
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 thest thing he expected.
Her giarism 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
“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 nced at Whitney, a smirk barely concealed, then turned to Simon with a direct proposition.
“Simon, Monica has effortlessly made aeback. 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
Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.
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 thepany,”
“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 theizens mming Monica for possibly memorizing her sketch and buying a master’s
piece, that
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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 thesest 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 thepetition scandal.
If you were to appeal to him, could he be persuaded to kick Monica out for good?”
Whitney contemted, “I’m not well–acquainted with him, and the internationalmittee has
significant influence in thepetition, 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 globalpany 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, particrly 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, ire, 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 ire’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 yourputer.”
Tiana, unsure of what it was, took the sh 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 corbone.
The man’s eyes froze, his expression suddenly rigid. He was in the middle of a meeting, for crying out
loud. What was she ying 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?]
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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 nced 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: [te City.]
[When are youing 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 hisdy. ncing repeatedly at his phone was an
unusual behavior during his typically stern meetings. The other executives were nearly ck–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 ine?”