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.

to triumph completely. To leave me with nothing but the bitter taste

defeat.

potentially more valuable than her

talent

them off stage when

"After you, Mrs. Winters."

toward the stairs. His

people around us.

emphasized the breadth of his shoulders. Unlike Ethan's cold

I murmured, surprised by

stairs, disaster struck. My long dress caught beneath my

gasp. My heart leaped

humiliation of falling.

caught me instantly. Lucas had moved

fall.

he said, his voice low and gentle. "These stairs

firm but respectful. He

with a slight bow. "Allow me to escort

backstage."

accepted gratefully, placing my hand on his forearm. His presence felt

emotional rollercoaster of

215

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

tight enough that I could see the muscle jumping beneath his skin. The

buzzed with activity: Contestants gathered their belongings while staff members

in their praise. Her smile was back in

Ethan's cousin, was among Victoria's

she gushed

Isabelle proclaimed, loud enough

by "Everyone knows your

head high.

on second place," she called out. "At

right?"

patronizing tone made my blood boil. My hands clenched into

sides.

"Though I wonder

of our designs."

dangerously. "What are

always determine winners in competitions like these," I

outrage. "The judges made their

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

provoke me further, laughed dismissively. "Oh please,

made sure Victoria won!"

Isabelle's arm, her

enough to leave marks.

stop-" Victoria

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

them specifically that Vetova's design was to be awarded first place, regardless of what anyone

eyes darted around frantically. packing anyone important had

fercely. Her fingernails dug deeper

to Victoria's distress. "It's not like it's

Ethan

tovers you ove'

Favers who over whom?"

their conversation like a knife. All three of

faces - especially Victoria's, who clearly feared Ethan's