Watch Me Win, Alpha

Chapter 5

“Come on, one more,” Chole said, trying to hide the frustration in her eyes.” I’m just getting warmed up.”

”

I glanced at her, then at Ethan, who still hadn’t said a word. Melina watched from the side, clearly annoyed but not stepping in.

“Sure,” I replied, picking up another ring, my tone casual.” Let’s keep going.”

We kept playing. I hit the pillar again. And again. Chole’s throws grew wilder, her aim less precise, her confidence visibly cracking. Melina’s eyes darted between us, her polished exterior slipping as her face twisted into an increas- ingly sour expression. She glanced at Ethan, clearly expecting him to intervene, but he just stood there.

I picked up my final ring, tossed it with a casual flick of my wrist, and it spun neatly around theMoon Pillaronce

more.

Chole’s forced smile finally shattered. Her eyes filled with tears, and a small, broken sound escaped her throat. She clutched the last ring tightly, her fingers shaking, then let it clatter to the ground as she stumbled toward Ethan.

Ethan stepped forward, his face hard, eyes cold. He snatched the gold ring from my hand, his jaw clenched.

“That’s enough,” he said, his voice low but sharp.

Chole threw herself into his arms, her shoulders shaking as she buried her face in his chest: Ethan’s expression soft- ened, his arm coming up to hold her gently, fingers stroking her back in slow, comforting circles. Melina quickly stepped in, wrapping an arm around Chole, whispering something I couldn’t hear.

“Really, Olivia?” Melina’s eyes snapped to me, sharp and furious.”It’s just a game. Was it necessary to take it so seri- ously?”

I didn’t respond, just slowly stepped back, setting my last ring down on the side table.

Melina’s eyes bored into me, “You come from an ordinary family. You think being competitive is the only way to gain respect?”

Her words hit like a slap.

I glanced at Ethan, expecting… what? Defense? Support? But his eyes were distant, his face like a faded photograph, all the vibrance I once admired now washed out and cold.

Forget it. There are only twenty days left. I shouldn’t care.

ready to leave, my pulse still

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13:18

Yve’s voice echoed

at my hand, my fingers curled so tightly that my nails had broken the skin. I

on my heel and walked

voice followed me, sharp

I didn’t stop.

double doors of the Hawthorne Manor and got into my car, my chest heaving as I gripped the steering

me. Ethan. I ignored it and

pulled out onto the road, the tires crunching against the gravel as I sped away from the

out a message to Melina

a penny less. Or I’ll make

the phone onto the passenger seat, my pulse still

grown darker, thick gray clouds rolling in, the first

a flash of yellow blurred past my peripheral vision, followed by

in front of my car, swerving wildly, its rider dressed in dark leather, helmet glinting with water

the brakes, my body jolting forward, the seatbelt cutting into my shoulder

Yve’s voice snapped

My head slammed into the steering wheel, a sharp, hot pain exploding behind my

blinking rapidly as my vision blurred, red

the console, pressing it against my

into the distance. Then I checked my rear view mirror to find a black Maybach that had rear-ended me. Its front bumper was dented, the polished surface marred by the

gather my thoughts, a

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13:18

Chapter 5

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forties, dressed in a crisp black suit, glasses perched on his nose, stood beside my car,

the motion sent another wave

his voice calm and steady.”I rear-ended your car.