Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna

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Chapter 19: Unexpected Opportunities

Chapter 19: Unexpected Opportunities

(Olivia's POV)

Gregory Hayes's perfectly styled brown hair caught the light as he took his position at center

stage.

"Congratulations to our winners," he began, his voice carrying throughout the room. "I've had the pleasure of reviewing all the designs personally."

His hazel eyes found mine across the stage. A warm smile spread across his face.

"While the judges have made their decision, I'd like to share that Olivia Winters' moonstone crystal design was particularly innovative." His eyes shone with genuine appreciation. "In fact, it was my personal favorite."

Murmurs rippled through the audience. I stood frozen, unable to believe what I was hearing.

Victoria's smile twitched at the edges. Her fingers tightened around her award.

"Which is why," Gregory continued, his voice growing more enthusiastic, "Canis Enterprises has decided to extend our traditional internship opportunity not just to the first-place winner, but to our second and third-place finalists as well."

The crowd gasped collectively. Several people turned to stare at me.

"This is unprecedented," Gabriel Morrison explained, his voice tinged with excitement. "Typically, only the first-place winner receives the coveted Canis internship."

I watched Victoria's face transform. Her carefully maintained composure cracked wide open.

Her eyes widened with shock and disbelief. Her perfectly painted lips parted as though she'd

been slapped.

"Ms. Winters, Ms. Hughes," Gregory addressed us directly. "We would be honored to have you

join our design team alongside Ms. Frost."

Sophia Hughes let out a tiny squeak of happiness. Her hands trembled as she clutched her

third-place certificate.

Joy surged through my heart, unexpected and powerful. The internship at Canis Enterprises was a dream opportunity.

With Alexander Thornton's mentorship, I could take my healing crystal career to heights I'd

1/5

< Chapter 19 Unexpected Oppo..

never imagined possible. This could change everything.

+8 Points>

"Thank you," I said, surprised by the steadiness in my voice despite the emotions churning

inside me.

As the ceremony concluded, people began to exit the stage. Victoria and Ethan deliberately

walked past me.

Her midnight blue gown swished dramatically with each step. Her eyes met mine briefly, burning with barely contained fury.

leave me

defeat.

potentially more valuable than her first-place

of my talent by Gregory Hayes

follow them off stage when a deep

"After you, Mrs. Winters."

toward the stairs. His

people around us.

breadth of his shoulders.

you," I murmured, surprised by

I descended the stairs, disaster struck. My long dress caught

small gasp. My heart leaped into

humiliation of falling.

had moved with preternatural

fall.

his voice low and gentle. "These stairs

was firm but respectful. He steadied me

arm with a slight bow. "Allow me to escort

backstage."

accepted gratefully, placing my hand on

the emotional rollercoaster

215

I felt Ethan's gaze burning into us. Hils

I could see the muscle jumping beneath his skin. The sight of another Alpha touching his mate even in such an innocent

gathered their belongings while staff members

admirers, basking in their praise. Her smile was back in place, though noticeably more strained

cousin, was among Victoria's admirers. Her sharp features

she gushed over Victoria's

place," Isabelle proclaimed, loud

knows your design was

them, keeping my head high. But Isabelle noticed me and

second place," she called out. "At least you

right?"

tone made my blood boil. My hands clenched into fists at

sides.

Isabelle," I replied coolly. "Though I wonder if the

of our designs."

dangerously. "What are

doesn't always determine winners in competitions like these," I said, my

outrage. "The

they?" I stepped closer, refusing to back down. "Are

provoke me further, laughed dismissively. "Oh please, everyone knows

made sure Victoria won!"

paled dramatically. She grabbed Isabelle's arm, her fingers

enough to leave marks.

stop-" Victoria

babe was too caught up in her malicious enjoyment to notice Victoria's panic. She cooned guilty oblivious to the

He told them specifically that Vetova's design was to be awarded first place, regardless

eyes darted

Her fingernails

Victoria's distress. "It's not

Ethan

tovers you ove'

Favers who over whom?"

through their conversation like a knife.

across their faces -