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.

triumph completely. To leave me with nothing but

defeat.

I'd received something potentially more valuable than her

talent by Gregory

follow them off stage when a deep voice spoke beside

"After you, Mrs. Winters."

the stairs. His tall frame towered over most

people around us.

emphasized the breadth of his shoulders. Unlike Ethan's

murmured, surprised by

stairs, disaster struck. My

a small gasp. My heart leaped into my throat as I

humiliation of falling.

had moved with

fall.

his voice low and

respectful. He steadied me without

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

backstage."

my hand on his forearm. His presence

emotional rollercoaster of the

215

burning into us. Hils

The

their belongings while staff members

basking in their praise. Her smile was back in place, though noticeably more

cousin, was among Victoria's admirers. Her

gushed

proclaimed, loud enough for me to

"Everyone knows your

to ignore them, keeping my head high. But Isabelle

place," she

right?"

my blood boil. My hands clenched

sides.

replied coolly. "Though I wonder if

of our designs."

narrowed dangerously. "What are

in competitions like these," I

"The judges made

refusing to back down. "Are you

eager to provoke me further, laughed

made sure Victoria won!"

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

enough to leave marks.

stop-" Victoria

to notice Victoria's panic. She cooned guilty oblivious

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

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

Botria whispered fercely. Her fingernails dug deeper into

Victoria's distress. "It's

Ethan

tovers you ove'

Favers who over whom?"

conversation like a knife. All three of us

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