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 her first-place prize

of my talent by Gregory Hayes

them off stage when a deep voice spoke

"After you, Mrs. Winters."

politely toward the stairs. His tall frame towered over most

people around us.

gray suit emphasized the breadth of his

I murmured, surprised by

descended the stairs, disaster struck.

gasp. My heart leaped into my

humiliation of falling.

caught me instantly. Lucas had moved with preternatural speed,

fall.

his voice low and gentle. "These stairs

but respectful. He steadied me without

was balanced, he offered his arm with

backstage."

hand on

the emotional rollercoaster of the

215

felt Ethan's gaze burning into

ja olehed tight enough that I could see the muscle jumping beneath his skin. The sight of another Alpha touching his mate even in such

gathered their belongings while

surrounded by admirers, basking in their praise. Her smile was back

Ethan's cousin, was among

gushed

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

knows your

my head high. But Isabelle noticed

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

right?"

boil. My hands clenched into fists at

sides.

"Though I wonder if

of our designs."

narrowed dangerously. "What are

determine winners in competitions like these," I said, my

outrage. "The judges

I stepped closer, refusing to

me further, laughed

made sure Victoria won!"

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

enough to leave marks.

Victoria

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

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

horror. Her eyes darted around

fingernails dug deeper into her

distress. "It's not like it's a secret

Ethan

tovers you ove'

Favers who over whom?"

through their conversation like a knife. All

- especially Victoria's,