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.
"Congrattions 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 particrly 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-ce winner, but to our second and third-ce finalists as well."
The crowd gasped collectively. Several people turned to stare at me.
"This is unprecedented," Gabriel Morrison exined, his voice tinged with excitement. "Typically, only the first-ce winner receives the coveted Canis internship."
I watched Victoria''s face transform. Her carefully maintainedposure cracked wide open.
Her eyes widened with shock and disbelief. Her perfectly painted lips parted as though she''d
been pped.
"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-ce 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
< 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.
She had expected to triumphpletely. To leave me with nothing but the bitter taste of
defeat.
Instead, I''d received something potentially more valuable than her first-ce prize money. The
recognition of my talent by Gregory Hayes himself.
I turned to follow them off stage when a deep voice spoke beside me.
"After you, Mrs. Winters."
Lucas ckwood gestured politely toward the stairs. His tall frame towered over most of the
people around us.
His dark gray suit emphasized the breadth of his shoulders. Unlike Ethan''s cold demeanor, Lucas radiated respectful courtesy.
"Thank you," I murmured, surprised by his gentlemanly behavior.
As I descended the stairs, disaster struck. My long dress caught beneath my heel.
I stumbled forward with a small gasp. My heart leaped into my throat as I anticipated the
humiliation of falling.
Strong hands caught me instantly. Lucas had moved with preternatural speed, preventing my
fall.
"Careful,” he said, his voice low and gentle. "These stairs are treacherous."
His touch was firm but respectful. He steadied me without lingering inappropriately.
Once I was bnced, he offered his arm with a slight bow. "Allow me to escort you safely
backstage."
I epted gratefully, cing my hand on his forearm. His presence felt reassuringly solid
after the emotional rollercoaster of the evening.
215
Face the room, I felt Ethan''s gaze burning into us. Hils amber eyes had darkened
Has 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 an innocent context clearly infuriated
Backstage buzzed with activity: Contestants gathered their belongings while staff members damantled equipment.
otona stood surrounded by admirers, basking in their praise. Her smile was back in ce, though noticeably more strained than before.
Isabelle Stone Ethan''s cousin, was among Victoria''s admirers. Her sharp features animated
as she gushed over Victoria''s victory.
"You absolutely deserved first ce," Isabelle proimed, loud enough for me to hear as
passed by "Everyone knows your design was superior."
I tried to ignore them, keeping my head high. But Isabelle noticed me and smirked maliciously.
"Oh, Olivia! Congrattions on second ce," she called out. "At least you got something,
right?"
Her deliberately patronizing tone made my blood boil. My hands clenched into fists at my
sides.
"Thank you, Isabelle," I replied coolly. "Though I wonder if the results truly reflected the quality
of our designs."
Victoria''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "What are you implying?"
"Only that merit doesn''t always determine winners inpetitions like these," I said, my emerald eyes shing with challenge.
Victoria feigned innocent outrage. "The judges made their decision fairly."
"Did they?" I stepped closer, refusing to back down. "Are you certain about that?"
Isabelle, eager to provoke me further,ughed dismissively. "Oh please, everyone knows Ethan
made sure Victoria won!"
Victoria''s face paled dramatically. She grabbed Isabelle''s arm, her fingers digging in hard
enough to leave marks.
"Isabelle, stop-" Victoria hissed urgently.
But babe was too caught up in her malicious enjoyment to notice Victoria''s panic. She cooned guilty oblivious to the damage she was doing
Nepractically ordered the judges to give her first ce! He told them specifically that Vetova''s design was to be awarded first ce, regardless of what anyone else submitted."
botas expression transformed into pure horror. Her eyes darted around frantically. packing anyone important had overheard
Tabele Botria whispered fercely. Her fingernails dug deeper into her friend''s arm.
What Isabelle continued, blind to Victoria''s distress. "It''s not like it''s a secret that
Ethan
tovers you ove''
Favers who over whom?"
Bhan''s deep voice cut through their conversation like a knife. All three of us froze instantly.
Victoria and isabelle turned slowly Panic shed across their faces - especially Victoria''s, who clearly feared Ethan''s disapproval of such underhanded tactics.
"Ethan Victoria recovered first, greeting him with a nervous smile. "We were just discussing thepetition results"
Ethan''s expression remained neutral, giving no indication whether he''d heard their earlier conversation. The silence stretched ufortably.
I took the opportunity to slip away, having heard exactly what I needed to confirm
my
suspicions
After changing into morefortable clothes and removing my makeup, I headed
toward the underground parking garage. My forced smile faded immediately once I was alone.
Reality crashed back. Despite the unexpected opportunity with Canis Enterprises, the second-ce prize money wouldn''t be enough.
Not enough for the special burial ground I''d hoped to secure for Lily''s ashes. Grief closed around my throat like a fist.
A sleek ck vehicle pulled up beside me as I approached my car. The window lowered smoothly, revealing Lucas ckwood''s handsome face.
"Mrs. Winters," he greeted me with a respectful nod. "I was hoping to speak with you left."
I paused, surprised by his interest. "Alpha ckwood."
you
before
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"Your crystal design was exceptional," he said, his eyes reflecting genuine
appreciation. "The application of moonstone in that configuration could
revolutionize healing techniques."
"Thank you." I replied, touched by his recognition of the work I''d poured my heart
into.
Td like to discuss a potential coboration," Lucas continued, his deep voice warm with
interest. "My pack has been researching simr healing applications for some time. Perhaps
we couldbine our knowledge."
Hope rekindled in my heart, bright and sudden. A coboration with the Moonstone Pack
could provide the resources I needed for Lily''s burial.
"I''d be interested in hearing more," I said, unable to hide the eagerness in my
voice.
Lucas smiled, gesturing to his car. "Would you join me for dinner to discuss the details? My driver can return you to your vehicle afterward."
His driver emerged and opened the passenger door for me. Without hesitation, I epted the
invitation.
From a distance, Ethan watched this exchange. His face darkened with anger as I stepped into
Lucas ckwood''s car.