99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 159

For decades, every single gold award piece, without exception, had been seized and tightly sealed away by the Reese Group.

Others, no matter how envious, could only pay an outrageous price for crude imitations. What came out of those factories was always a notch below the Reese Group’s-cheap knockoffs.

“Mr. Reese, before coming here today, I read through the entire competition charter. In black and white, not a single line states that the gold award manuscript must be ‘donated’ to the organizers. I’m afraid you misremembered. You’ve apparently been misremembering for years, when I think back to all the winning designs you forced under your control from previous winners.”

“What? You-Claire!” Bob’s vision darkened as I prepared my rebuttal. I could see his face shift from ashen blue to a ghastly pale.

I didn’t even spare him another look. Instead, I turned to the audience.

“Not only that, I still have multiple unused design drafts in hand. As long as it benefits the whole furniture industry-1, Claire Reese, daughter of Seann and Helen Reese, will share these designs freely!”

At last, the declaration I had rehearsed countless times was spoken.

“Bravo!” An elderly craftsman, his hair white as snow, trembled as he forced himself to his feet and shouted with all his strength.

“Ms. Reese! Well done!”

“Yes! Ms. Reese! Welcome home! We stand with you!”

“Long live Ms. Reese!”

“She is Calgary’s true daughter!”

Before setting out, I had agonized over every word, terrified some sudden mishap would silence me and ruin everything. But look at now, like a tidal wave, the cheers swept through the venue, drowning out Bob’s protests. He stood pale and isolated on stage.

I knew better than anyone: with my strength alone, shaking the massive hold that Reese Group had rooted in Calgary for decades was nearly impossible.

I had entered this competition with my eyes on the gold award, aiming to split open the high wall built by the Reese brothers.

If my strength alone weren’t enough to uproot Reese Group and shatter their monopoly, then I would rally hearts and gather the collective power to topple them.

This was only the beginning.

I would show my uncles, my aunt, and my cousins that I would never bow just because I was a woman.

Quietly wiping my tears of joy, I lifted the heavy trophy and stepped off the stage.

At the corner, Liyah was already a tear-streaked mess. The moment she saw me, she rushed forward and hugged me tightly.

“Oh my Goddess, Claire! You were incredible! I’m so proud of you! And I knew they would be proud of you, too.”

Standing beside Liyah was Beta Ethan; his eyes still carried a shock that hadn’t faded.

“Claire, I never would’ve guessed. Seere has been with you all along?”

As a judge, he had never known my factual background; it was never something widely discussed after my father passed, even within the Crown of Thornes pack. Nor could Ethan have imagined the brilliance I had hidden from everyone as the dutiful, mousy mate of Liam Sterling.

I offered him a smile in response.

Merlin White also came forward, clapping my shoulder excitedly. “Goodness, Claire, that was amazing!

You did beautifully! It’s about time you let the world see who Seere really is.”

I quickly composed myself, then looked at my boss with an apologetic tone.

“Mr. White, I’m sorry. I decided to release the designs for free without consulting you first. But don’t worry -I’ll make sure to design more for Moonves later.”

Before I could finish, Merlin cut in with a smile, “Claire, those are your creations. You have full control over them. Moonves respects your decisions-you don’t need to apologize. I trust your judgment and respect what you offered here today.”

“Thank you, Mr. White,” I added quickly. “Since the designs are public, of course, Moonves can also produce them. I won’t charge any fee.”

Merlin waved his hand. “What’s yours is yours. In all these years of working together, how many times did you save me by pulling all-nighters to fix designs? I’m already deeply grateful.”

At that, Liam appeared and then froze at Mr. White’s words. “Claire? So all those nights that you locked yourself in that tiny room, weren’t you throwing tantrums or being upset with me? You were working this whole time and never told me?”

I could see his broken expression as he reflected on the countless times he barrelled over me, scolding me for oversleeping and missing breakfast the next morning. Those times when he mocked me and called me childish for locking myself away from his and Breanne’s interactions around this house.

Liam dipped his head low, seemingly unable to even look into my eyes now.

“Claire, I’m sorry, I misunderstood you all along. I was a fool, blind to your efforts. If you need your own studio now, even though Moonves is affiliated with the Sterling Moon pack, I can find you something better.”

“No need,” Merlin interjected calmly. “Moonves has already arranged an independent office for Claire, complete with a rest area so she can take breaks anytime.”

To my surprise, even Ethan spoke up, “If Moonves falls short, my connections have been surging to life after many realized I knew you. They are bombarding me already with offers.”

Liam flushed with panic; the idea of Ethan, Beta to Lucien, must have triggered something in him.

“Wait! Please don’t listen to him! Claire, whatever you want, don’t leave the Sterling Moon pack!”

Before the words cooled, Liyah let out a long, loud “Tsk-” and rolled her eyes hard.

“More empty promises again, Liam? If you’re serious, why don’t you transfer all your shares of pack contributions and legal rights to Claire tomorrow? You can maintain the title, but Claire would hold control over the pack behind the scenes. Like Oz, behind the curtain.” Liyah smirked smugly, popping her hip as she stood there, proud.

Liam choked, his face burning with embarrassment. ” l-uh,”

No Alpha in their right mind would ever do something like that; it would make them a figurehead in name only. What is a pack where the Alpha holds no real control or power? A puppet!

Liyah and I exchanged a look, both pairs of eyes gleaming with identical disdain. Liam is good with his words, offering anything I wanted, yet when called on it, his hands were empty.

I rubbed my growling stomach, breaking the awkward mood.

“Alright, enough of the business talk. Liyah, I’m starving! Let’s grab dinner.”

I linked arms with Liyah, ready to leave the noisy hall.

But just as I stepped forward, my gaze was snared by a group of figures storming in, exuding hostility.

At the front was a face carved with malice and venom-my thieving uncle, Steven. The sight of him made the air around me drop to cold.