Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 39

Monica stood on the stage, tears glistening in her eyes, looking every part of the role of a pitiful beauty.

Below, the crowd was pointing fingers at Whitney, their voices raised in anger, "If you can't produce evidence from your computer, get off the stage! Monica is the true design prodigy!"

"Whitney, you don't deserve to compete. Plagiarism could get you expelled."

"Just at the charity ball the other week, this woman was spreading rumors about Monica's miscarriage. Now it seems she was framing her all along!" Someone sneered sarcastically from the audience.

The murmurs grew louder.

Whitney stood amid the accusations, her expression icy. Monica had come prepared this time.

"No, it's not true!" Her assistant burst out angrily, rushing forward. "I watched Whitney work tirelessly through the night on this piece. Monica, you manipulative witch, twisting the truth..."

"Enough," Aaron interjected, raising his hand. "Whitney, what's left to argue if you can't show proof? Plagiarists have no place here, and you're disturbing the peace! Security, escort these two out."

Without further ado, Whitney and her assistant were ushered unceremoniously out of the exhibit hall.

The sky was a heavy gray, mirroring the storm brewing in Whitney's heart. Seated on the steps outside, she reopened her laptop and searched thoroughly once more.

The file folder was gone, her history erased without a trace.

Whitney's eyes narrowed in cold fury.

Suddenly, her laptop was smashed under a high-heeled shoe!

Monica strutted over, her secretary holding an umbrella to block the pressing reporters. She taunted Whitney with a smirk, “Sis, thanks for creating such a marvelous piece. It won unanimous praise from the judges, no doubt snagging the preliminary round's crown.

Sure, Simon had already sweet-talked Aaron for me, guaranteeing my victory, but winning with your draft? That's an indescribable thrill!"

Monica's whisper was venomous. She pinched Whitney's cheek maliciously. "You bet everything on this competition, hoping to ruin me and make a comeback. But look at you now. After today, your name will be mud, infamous across the internet. What jewelry company would employ a notorious plagiarist? Whitney, you're finished! Skye Gem Ltd. is out of your reach!"

Monica left with a triumphant laugh, her recent humiliations avenged.

Whitney remained silent, her gaze icy as she shook off Monica's hand and stood.

Behind her, Monica's laughter continued. “You still don’t get why you’ve been played, do you? Thought you were so smart, Whitney. Did you really think you could outsmart me?”

Monica swaggered away as Tiana approached, her face as pale as a ghost.

The reporters were snapping photos of Whitney's downfall, and the onlookers whispered among themselves, especially the shareholders from Skye Gem, who scorned Whitney for her audacity and plagiarism.

Tiana shouted them away, pulling Whitney to her feet.

Her assistant picked up the crushed laptop.

Tiana whirled around, her eyes blazing as she stared at Whitney’s assistant. "It was you, wasn't it?"

"Who else could have gotten to the laptop? Did Monica's lackey buy you off?"

"It wasn't me, I swear, Whitney, please believe me..." Her assistant was bewildered, crying in distress.

Whitney watched her assistant quietly and then stopped Tiana's hand. "Don't be rash, Tiana. It wasn't her."

"But no one else had access to your laptop!" Tiana trembled with anger.

"It wasn't her," Whitney said, her gaze thoughtful. "Remember October 2nd, Tiana? What day was it?"

Tiana paused, then replied, "We had a gathering with Stella on October 1st, and you stayed at my place on the 2nd."

Whitney turned to the assistant. "Has anyone else touched this laptop since we arrived?"

"Absolutely not!" The assistant declared earnestly.

Whitney frowned, but her eyes held a sharp determination.

"Think back – I mean every single person, every single touch."