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.

had expected to triumph completely. To leave me with

defeat.

received something potentially more valuable than her first-place prize

my talent by Gregory

them off stage

"After you, Mrs. Winters."

politely toward the stairs. His

people around us.

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

I murmured, surprised

stairs, disaster struck. My long dress caught

heart leaped into my throat as I anticipated

humiliation of falling.

caught me instantly. Lucas had moved with preternatural speed, preventing

fall.

his voice low and gentle. "These

but respectful.

arm with a slight bow. "Allow me to

backstage."

accepted gratefully, placing my hand on

the emotional rollercoaster of

215

burning into us. Hils amber eyes had

olehed tight enough that I could see the muscle jumping beneath his skin. The sight of another

their belongings while staff members

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

among Victoria's admirers. Her sharp features

gushed

proclaimed, loud

knows your

keeping my head high. But Isabelle noticed

place," she called out. "At least

right?"

deliberately patronizing tone made my blood boil. My

sides.

Isabelle," I replied coolly. "Though I wonder if the results truly reflected

of our designs."

dangerously. "What are you

like these," I said, my emerald eyes

innocent outrage. "The

stepped closer, refusing to back down.

further, laughed

made sure Victoria won!"

dramatically. She grabbed Isabelle's

enough to leave marks.

stop-" Victoria

notice Victoria's panic. She cooned guilty oblivious to the

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

Her eyes darted

Her fingernails dug deeper into her

blind to Victoria's distress.

Ethan

tovers you ove'

Favers who over whom?"

deep voice cut through their conversation like

isabelle turned slowly Panic flashed across their faces - especially Victoria's, who clearly feared Ethan's disapproval of