The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 222

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 222: Award Ceremony**

Ethan’s phone suddenly buzzed, cutting through the ambient noise of the bar. He took a deliberate sip of his whiskey, savoring the warmth it brought, before placing the glass back on the polished wood surface. With a subtle gesture, he signaled the bartender for a refill, his mind already racing ahead.

Clearing his throat, he answered the call, his tone sharp and impatient. “You better have good news,” he snapped, bypassing any pleasantries.

On the other end, his subordinate’s voice came through, low and anxious. “Judy never got fired from her job,” he reported, the words tumbling out quickly. “She managed to get Matt to complete his work despite the videos. Even Adam tried to reason with Alpha Gavin about it, but it was futile. Judy’s persuasive, and Matt got all his tasks done.”

Ethan felt a surge of frustration, cursing under his breath.

Just then, the bartender returned, placing a fresh glass of whiskey in front of him. Ethan nodded his appreciation, his fingers curling around the cool glass as he took another sip, the rich flavor grounding him momentarily.

“What about school? Did you follow through with what I asked?” Ethan pressed, feeling his patience wear thin with each passing second.

“Yes, I bribed one of her teachers,” his subordinate replied, a hint of pride in his voice. “He’s going to frame Judy for some things and ensure she gets expelled.”

“Perfect,” Ethan murmured, a smirk creeping onto his lips. “At least that’s one less thing on my plate.”

“I also reached out to one of her rivals at school. She’s digging up dirt on Judy and will report back to me. Any information I uncover, I’ll pass along. You might find a way to use it against her.”

“I knew I could count on you,” Ethan replied, satisfaction lacing his words. “Keep me updated.”

“Will do, boss,” his subordinate assured him just before the line went silent.

Ethan took another sip of his whiskey, a smile spreading across his face. Soon, everything he desired would fall into place. He would marry Irene, ascend to the position of Alpha, and claim Judy as his own.

—

Judy’s POV

“I feel so underdressed,” I confessed to Nan, my eyes scanning the room filled with students draped in lavish gowns and high-end attire. I glanced down at my own outfit—a simple blouse paired with a snug black skirt that accentuated my figure. It felt more suited for a business meeting than a grand ball.

The reception hall of the school was a sight to behold, elegantly adorned for the occasion. I knew that after the ceremony, there would be a lavish feast to celebrate and thank the students for their attendance. Yet, beneath the excitement lay a knot of nerves in my stomach. Winning an award here could secure me a significant scholarship, alleviating my worries about tuition for the following year.

“Why is everyone dressed to the nines?” I asked Nan, who stood beside me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

She shot me a look of disbelief, her brow furrowing. “Didn’t you hear?” she exclaimed. “Gavin Landry might actually show up this year! He’s invited annually but never shows. Rumor has it he told the dean personally that he’d be here this time. So, all his fan girls are pulling out all the stops.”

A wave of unease washed over me at the thought of Gavin and his throngs of admirers. The idea that he might actually grace the award ceremony with his presence was shocking. I had always known he received an invitation, but I never dreamed he would actually attend.

On the stage, seats were arranged with place cards, my name prominently displayed in the center seat next to Carol’s. A few others flanked us, one of whom had already settled in, awaiting the event’s commencement.

Suddenly, the doors swung open, and I watched as the Silver Crescent Gamma warriors filed into the hall, surrounding a commanding figure—Gavin.

He strode in like he owned the place, and for a brief moment, the room fell silent, all eyes glued to him as he made his way down the aisle to the front row. I held my breath, my gaze locked on Gavin, who was flanked by his entourage. The buzz of excitement erupted among the girls, their whispers rising in a crescendo of admiration for his striking appearance.

“Wow,” Nan breathed, her eyes wide. “He actually showed up.”

“I’m just as surprised,” I admitted, unable to tear my gaze away from Gavin as he settled into his seat.

“If only everyone knew you almost shared a bed with him,” Nan teased, jabbing me playfully in the side. “They’d lose their minds!”

“They’ll never know,” I retorted, shaking my head firmly. “I don’t want to end up on their radar.”

“Hey, Judy,” a familiar voice interrupted, and I turned to see Walter standing beside Nan. Walter was a kind-hearted guy I’d befriended in high school, known for his academic prowess and being a contender for the scholarship. Unlike Carol, he had always been a friendly rival.

He flashed a broad, toothy grin that made Nan smirk knowingly.

“I heard about your family’s financial troubles,” Walter said, diving straight into a topic I’d rather avoid. My frown deepened, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying something I might regret. “I’m really sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you, Walter,” I replied, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask. “That’s very kind of you.”

“As you know, my family is quite well-off. If the scholarship doesn’t work out, I’d be happy to cover your tuition. That way, you can save your funds to help your dad,” he offered, his sincerity evident.

Nan chuckled, nudging Walter playfully. “Do you have a crush on her or something, Walter? What kind of offer is that?”

The she-wolves practically swooned at his feet.

Finally, it was time for the dean to announce the recipient of this year’s top student award and scholarship.

“The winner of this year’s award is…” he said, pausing for dramatic effect as he opened the envelope. A thoughtful smile spread across his face as he read the name, then turned to face us. “Judy Montague!”

The audience erupted in cheers as my heart soared into my throat. I could hardly comprehend what was happening! I had won the scholarship! This meant I wouldn’t have to stress about tuition or loans for the upcoming year!

My eyes found Nan’s, who was bouncing with excitement, clapping enthusiastically. My grin widened as I stood up. Gavin’s expression was one of confusion, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of curiosity.

Was he proud of me?

The thought made me want to laugh at its absurdity. Why would he be proud of me? I was nothing to him.

I shook the thought away and strode across the stage toward the podium. I shook the dean’s hand, taking the envelope from him.

He began to speak about how I deserved this award not only for being the top student but also due to my family’s financial struggles and how the scholarship would significantly benefit me. I should have felt embarrassed that he shared such personal information with the entire school, but I didn’t. They were already whispering about it anyway.

“Congratulations, Judy. You truly deserve this. Would you like to say a few words?” he asked, his tone encouraging.

“Thank you,” I replied, my heart racing. “Yes, I’d like that.”

I turned to the podium, smiling as the applause continued. Just as the noise began to quiet down and I prepared to speak into the microphone, a loud voice erupted from behind me.

“That’s enough! Judy Montague is a fake!!”

I spun around, stunned to see Carol rising from her seat, her gaze locked onto me with fierce accusation. My mind raced, and I was momentarily speechless, but the murmurs in the crowd began to swell.

“Miss Declaire, what is the meaning of this?” the dean demanded, his expression darkening.

Carol placed her hands on her hips, her glare unwavering. “Judy doesn’t deserve this award,” she spat. “She’s unworthy of this scholarship!”