Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38 

In the morning light, Whitney, Tiana, and their assistant, each toting a laptop, strode into the competition hall–a hive of creativity and cutthroat ambition. 

As they entered, the sleek company vehicle of Skye Gem Ltd. slid to a halt at the entrance. Monica stepped out, her stilettos clicking a rhythmic challenge to the pavement, followed by the formidable procession of her design entourage. The contrast was stark; Whitney’s party felt distinctly out of place, almost shabby. 

Their gazes met across the charged space, a silent battle in their standoff. 

Monica sauntered past Whitney, her eyebrow arching in a slow, condescending smile. “Look who showed up. Best of luck, Sis. I’m sure you’ll need it to snag first place,” she teased with a voice dripping in lazy sarcasm. 

Tiana bristled. “What’s with her snide remarks? And that smug smile–she knows full well your talent. She should be the one shaking in her boots, the fake.” 

Whitney’s frown deepened. Tiana’s words echoed her thoughts. Monica’s confidence was unsettling. Even though Monica might have pilfered Whitney’s earlier designs, Whitney had brought her A–game with her latest collection, far surpassing her previous work. Yet Monica appeared utterly unfazed. 

Something was amiss. 

Tiana’s phone rang abruptly, and she exchanged a few terse words with the person on the other end. 

Whitney recognized the voice of Tiana’s fiancé. 

“Go,” she urged, “I’ll manage.” 

“Of all times for a lunch date. At least Stella is nearby for an ad meeting. Don’t worry about me,” Tiana reassured Whitney before heading out. 

Whitney nodded and, with her assistant in tow, proceeded inside. 

Her eyes swept the judges‘ panel, a hint of surprise crossing her face–Ludwik, her notorious rival, was conspicuously absent. Was he not the head judge? 

A flicker of annoyance brushed her thoughts. Why was he not here? He had insinuated a compromising offer just days before, and now he showed no interest? She had wanted to prove her mettle to him, but perhaps it was for the best. It was better not to deal with him at all. 

The announcement for all contestants to submit their work snapped Whitney back to the present. She handed in her designs and returned to her seat, only to catch Monica flashing her a cryptic smile. 

Whitney’s breath hitched. 

What did that smile mean? 

She suppressed a rising unease and settled down with her assistant. 

When the designs were displayed on the large screen, the room fell into a stunned silence. The crowd was visibly confused. 

Whitney’s eyes shot up to the screen, where her work was displayed next to Monica’s–identical in every way. Her assistant’s grip tightened on her hand in disbelief. 

“Whitney, what’s happening? How can your work be…” 

Monica stood abruptly, her gaze piercing Whitney with incredulity. “Sis, how come your design is the same as mine?” 

Her accusation sent a ripple through the audience, sparking a flurry of speculation about plagiarism. Whitney’s eyes turned to ice. So that was why Monica had been so calm–she had laid a trap. 

Standing up with a thunderous rage, Whitney declared, “That design is my original creation. Monica has stolen 

my concept.” 

Monica’s face twisted into a mask of martyrdom. Sis, what are you talking about? That’s clearly my design.” The audience and media watched, rapt with confusion. 

The head judge, Aaron, intervened. “We have identical submissions, and one must be a copy. You both claim originality, so present your digital file metadata as proof.” 

Whitney turned to her assistant, who pulled up the file history on her laptop. The assistant’s face went ashen. “Whitney…” she stammered, pointing to a blank screen. 

All their work had vanished. 

Whitney clenched her fists, a cold dread sinking in. As she glanced up, she caught Monica smirking triumphantly, her laptop in hand as she approached the judges. 

Understanding dawned on Whitney; she had walked right into Monica’s snare. 

Monica presented her ‘evidence‘ to Aaron, who projected the file dates on the screen–October 2nd. 

“Now, Whitney.” Aaron turned to her. “Your evidence?” 

“I’ve had a technical issue,” Whitney said, her voice like steel. “But Aaron, the concept of that traditional style jewelry is mine. I can detail the entire creative process to prove it’s my work.” 

Skeptical, the judges conferred and agreed to hear her out. 

Whitney began to explain down to every detail. 

The judges listened carefully while nodding, their faces filled with astonishment. 

However, suddenly, Monica cut Whitney off, saying, “Sis, that is my creative process!” 

Then, she continued on Whitney’s words, claiming Whitney’s ideas as her own, describing the most intricate details of the design. 

The judges were shocked to their core. Clearly, Monica could also describe the creative process perfectly. 

At this moment, Whitney’s eyes turned cold. She finally realized that Monica had not just stolen her design; she had infiltrated her creative process.