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

defeat.

more valuable than

of my talent by

turned to follow them off stage when a deep voice

"After you, Mrs. Winters."

politely toward the stairs. His tall frame towered over most of

people around us.

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

murmured, surprised

disaster struck. My long dress caught beneath

small gasp. My heart

humiliation of falling.

had moved

fall.

low and

firm but respectful. He steadied me without lingering

I was balanced, he offered his arm with a slight bow. "Allow me to escort you

backstage."

placing my hand on his forearm. His presence

rollercoaster of

215

burning into us.

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

Contestants gathered their belongings while

praise. Her smile

Ethan's cousin, was among

gushed over

first place," Isabelle proclaimed, loud enough for me to

knows your design was

keeping my head high. But Isabelle noticed me and

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

right?"

patronizing tone made my blood boil. My hands clenched

sides.

you, Isabelle," I replied coolly. "Though I

of our designs."

dangerously.

competitions like these," I

"The judges

to back down. "Are you

me further, laughed dismissively. "Oh please, everyone

made sure Victoria won!"

dramatically. She grabbed Isabelle's arm,

enough to leave marks.

stop-" Victoria hissed

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

He told them specifically that

horror. Her eyes darted around

Botria whispered fercely. Her fingernails dug

Isabelle continued, blind to Victoria's distress. "It's

Ethan

tovers you ove'

Favers who over whom?"

through their conversation like a knife. All three of

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