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.

completely. To leave

defeat.

valuable than

my talent by

turned to follow them off stage when a

"After you, Mrs. Winters."

toward the stairs. His tall frame towered over most of

people around us.

breadth of his shoulders. Unlike Ethan's cold demeanor, Lucas radiated

I murmured, surprised

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

heart leaped into my throat

humiliation of falling.

Lucas had

fall.

his voice low and gentle. "These stairs are

touch was firm but respectful.

with

backstage."

my hand on his forearm.

rollercoaster

215

I felt Ethan's gaze burning into us. Hils amber eyes had

that I could see the muscle jumping beneath his skin. The sight of another Alpha touching his

buzzed with activity: Contestants gathered their belongings

basking in their praise. Her smile was back in

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

she gushed over Victoria's

absolutely deserved first place," Isabelle proclaimed, loud enough for me

"Everyone knows your

them, keeping my head high.

place," she called out.

right?"

my blood boil. My hands clenched into

sides.

"Though I wonder if the results truly reflected

of our designs."

narrowed dangerously. "What are you

doesn't always determine winners in competitions like these," I said, my emerald eyes flashing with

feigned innocent outrage. "The judges

to back

laughed dismissively.

made sure Victoria won!"

paled dramatically. She grabbed Isabelle's arm,

enough to leave marks.

stop-" Victoria hissed

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

the judges to give her first place! He told them specifically that Vetova's design was to be awarded first place, regardless of

pure horror. Her eyes darted around frantically. packing anyone important

fingernails dug deeper

Isabelle continued, blind to Victoria's distress. "It's not like it's a secret

Ethan

tovers you ove'

Favers who over whom?"

cut through their conversation like a knife. All

their faces - especially Victoria's, who clearly feared Ethan's disapproval of