Fake Mating To My Ex's Powerful Enemy

Chapter 189: Chapter 189 Stand Up For Her

Hudson’s POV

I flipped through the Aureate Award ceremony program on my lap, scanning the sponsor list while Lycaon stayed alert in my mind. The newly built stage sparkled under the spotlights where contestants would soon present their designs after the competition ended.

Technicians moved around, testing microphones and marking spots while the host ran through his script. Only about half the folding chairs facing the stage were occupied; most people hadn’t shown up yet.

"Hudson!"

I looked up to see Octavia running toward me, her face red with anger.

"Your wife is being sabotaged and nobody’s doing anything about it! The organizers aren’t even trying to be fair. They’ve already decided Christina cheated, and apparently I helped her do it."

I motioned for her to sit down. "Slow down. Tell me what happened."

"She’s being set up!" Octavia explained everything that went down in Christina’s room. Her voice shook with fury as she described how Dr. DuBois had basically forced Christina to start over.

They’re going after our Luna, Lycaon snarled in my head.

I stood up right away. "Who’s running this thing?"

"DuBois. Dr. Eleanor DuBois. She’s calling all the shots. I tried going over her head, called the investors. They have no clue what’s going on down here."

I grabbed the program again, flipping past the judges’ profiles until I found a small section in the back.

Tristan Hadley. Event Director, Head Administrator.

A name I didn’t recognize, but above Hadley’s name was the logo for Lumina Omni Holdings.

I pulled out my phone.

Octavia leaned in. "You actually know this Tristan guy?"

"I don’t," I said calmly, "but I know his boss."

The phone rang three times before a rough voice picked up.

"Hudson, what the hell are you calling me for at this hour? It’s morning, and I was sleeping."

Kian Al-Ahmad, CEO of Lumina, sounded half-asleep and completely irritated. I ignored his attitude.

"I need someone to fix a problem."

I explained what happened quickly and to the point.

Kian cursed. "What award is this?"

"The Aureate. Jewelry design."

Silence, then a tired grunt. "Never heard of it. If it’s under my umbrella, it’s probably buried in some subsidiary. I have too many companies to keep track of this small-time stuff. And you’re calling me about it?"

"My wife is competing. They’re screwing her over. I don’t have time to hunt down middle management. You’re my fastest option."

That got Kian’s attention. "Your wife? Really? When did you get married? Damn, why wasn’t I invited? Don’t tell me those years in Witherkesia meant nothing to you."

"Handle this now, catch up later," I interrupted. "I need a name, a reason, and a solution. I’m at the venue right now."

Kian cleared his throat. "Fine, I’ll deal with it. Getting dragged out of bed at six AM for you. If this isn’t friendship, I don’t know what is."

"Good," I said. "Get me the facts."

Four minutes later, Kian called back.

"Tristan Hadley, the coordinator, is across town in Riverside. I’ve ordered him back to the venue immediately. Told him not to screw around. From now on, he reports directly to you. Handle it however you want. Shut the whole thing down if you have to." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

"Got it. Thanks."

"Sure. Remember this next time you’re picking a best man. Now, unless you need something else, I’m going back to bed."

I hung up.

Octavia had been shamelessly listening to the whole conversation.

"We wait for Tristan Hadley," I told her. "First, he needs to figure out who’s behind this."

Less than thirty minutes later, Hadley showed up.

Mid-forties, balding, wearing a wrinkled suit jacket, he jogged in with sweat on his forehead and nervous eyes.

He stopped short in front of me, bowing slightly.

"Alpha Hudson, I’m Tristan Hadley. I’ve been filled in on the situation. I’ll get the security footage pulled right away."

I didn’t say anything. Hadley blinked, adjusting his glasses as more sweat appeared on his temples.

"If you have any specific requests, I’m here to help."

"The footage has been messed with by someone on the inside," I said, keeping my voice cold and steady. "Whoever you send will find exactly what the saboteur wants them to find. I want the person in charge, not some fall guy. I want to know who’s giving Dr. Eleanor DuBois her orders."

Hadley gulped audibly. "Understood. I’ll be careful. I’ll find out who’s calling the shots."

I nodded slightly. "You have two hours. The event ends then. If I don’t have answers by that time, I’ll call Mr. Al-Ahmad directly."

Hadley flinched. "Uh, that... won’t be necessary, Alpha Hudson. Mr. Al-Ahmad is very busy. I’m sure we don’t need to bother him with this."

"Then you better get moving."

"Of course, of course! I’ll have answers within two hours."

Hadley rushed away, nearly tripping over his own feet until he disappeared backstage.

"I’ll keep watching that DuBois woman," Octavia said. "Make sure she doesn’t pull anything else."

I stayed in my seat, completely still.

Lycaon was on high alert. Someone is deliberately going after our mate. They’re going to pay for this.

I thought about taking Kian’s advice to shut down the whole competition. But Octavia had made it clear that Christina was determined to finish this, even with everything stacked against her.

So I waited.

Soon, people started filling the seats.

A host walked to the center of the stage.

The lights dimmed.

Everyone went quiet.

The first contestant’s designs appeared on the big screen, and the judges’ tablets lit up.

Each screen showed high-resolution images, different angles, material lists—the usual breakdown.

After each presentation, the judges entered their scores.

I spotted Octavia sitting next to a woman who looked familiar. I knew Octavia wasn’t here for technical evaluation; she’d been invited for PR reasons, her scores weighted accordingly.

The real power was Dr. Eleanor DuBois in the center. I watched the other judges glance at her reactions before entering anything.

DuBois ran the whole room.

I shifted in my chair. There was no question in my mind that DuBois would jump at any chance to score Christina low.

At least Christina had drawn the final spot, which gave her a few extra minutes.

Each presenter had a strict three-minute limit, keeping things moving fast.

Contestants came and went quickly, and soon only a few were left.

Tristan Hadley came rushing down the aisle, shoulders hunched. He squeezed into the narrow space next to me.