After I Torched Alive, My Alpha Went crazy novel Chapter 190

Our eyes met for a brief second, and she gave me a small smile, encouraging, almost reassuring. It was as if she understood how I was feeling. The brief moment of connection made me feel less alone in the sea of strangers and reporters.

For a brief moment, I wondered what it must have been like for Faye, usually the center of attention, now relegated to the sidelines.

There was a softness to her smile that suggested she wasn't bothered by the lack of focus on her. Perhaps, like me, she was accustomed to these dynamics, and instead of being overwhelmed, she had learned to handle them with grace.

Her calm presence was almost like a quiet comfort, a reminder that despite the chaos around us, we had the strength to handle it.

Queen Luna's voice cut through the murmur of the crowd, calling the meeting to order. It was time for the official proceedings to begin.

The stress in the room was clear as I took my seat between Nova and Estelle. Despite the lavish spread of food laid out in front of us, I noticed that no one seemed to have any real interest in eating.

All the attention was focused on us—the candidates for the future leadership. The cameras were everywhere, and the reporters' eyes never left us.

The atmosphere was thick with expectation. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me, the air charged with the buzzing of cameras and the soft murmurs of the reporters waiting for their turn.

The questions were going to come fast, and I had to be prepared. I had no doubt that every single word I spoke today would be dissected and analyzed, so I needed to be sharp, confident, and composed.

The first round of questions began, and I could feel the reporters shift their attention towards Nova. She was the first to be targeted, and I could already sense her nerves building as the cameras turned in her direction.

"Nova," one of the reporters asked, "Can you tell us more about the operation of your company? How do you manage your PACK, and what are your thoughts on the current state of the stock market?"

I watched as Nova's face paled at the barrage of questions. The words seemed to catch in her throat, and I could see her struggling to regain control, trying to steady herself under the pressure.

The spotlight was on her, and it was clear that she wasn't prepared for such a rigorous interrogation.

"The company is doing well," she stammered, her voice faltering. She cleared her throat, trying again. "I have a dedicated team, and we're working hard to ensure the PACK is managed efficiently."

Her voice was shaky, but she pushed forward, attempting to regain her footing.

But just as I was starting to feel anxious, Tina leaned in and whispered, "Carlos believes in you. You'll be fine."

I looked up and immediately met Carlos's gaze across the room. His eyes were steady, and there was a quiet confidence in them that calmed my nerves.

His gaze held mine for a moment longer, and I could feel the weight of his belief in me, his faith that I would rise to this challenge.

It was a strange comfort—something I didn't know I needed, but now couldn't imagine being without.

With that, a wave of calm washed over me. I straightened my back, feeling taller and more confident.

I straightened up, pushing aside the flutter of nerves that threatened to overwhelm me. I wasn't going to let Nova's stumble dictate my own performance. I had a role to play here, and I was determined to fulfill it.

As the reporters continued to chatter among themselves, I stayed calm, waiting for the next round of questions. I wasn't the kind to rush or to force my answers. My turn would come, and when it did, I would be ready.