Chapter Ninety Two: The Rise of Many Things To Unfold

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Wilbard's doubt was clear as he looked at me and asked, "Imara, what is the meaning of this?" His eyes showed confusion and hesitation, clearly troubled by the idea of me choosing Winston.

Before I could respond, Bailey stepped forward, speaking with both respect and confidence.

"Mr. Ape King," she began, "John and Steve came with healthcare baskets and took care of us. They even sewed us new clothes and made sure we were healthy, both the females and the males. They said Imara sent them to make our journey easier.

As you can see, we are well cared for and don't look like we've been through a rough trip. They taught us wonderful things that Imara shared with them, which is why I chose them as my mates. Imara has done a great thing for us."

The other females agreed, speaking up to support Bailey and expressing their thanks.

Feeling touched by their words, I smiled warmly. "Thank you, my loves. I'm so glad you're all doing well. That was my wish."

Hearing this, they blushed and looked at me with gratitude.

John and Steve spoke up next, adding, "Imara has had her eyes on Winston for a while, and we wanted to explain why she should have the chance to do so."

Wilbard looked surprised by everything he was hearing. After thinking for a moment, he turned to Bailey and asked, "So, you're saying you don't want Winston as a mate, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct," Bailey replied with a nod.

Wilbard, looking slightly defeated, finally gave in.

"Then it's your right to choose him as your mate," he said, gesturing toward me. But deep down, I knew I wasn't really giving him much choice in the matter.

Seizing the opportunity, I prepared for the next step in my plan.

"Thank you, Wilbard, my dear friend," I said, my voice clear and confident, making sure everyone was listening.

"I truly appreciate your support in allowing me to share my gifts in the market for the upcoming bonfire. As you can see, the ladies and even the spouses of our four great kings, including yours, have enjoyed my offerings.

I hope to continue providing these services to everyone in the City, helping to improve our lives even more. Your approval has made this possible, and I must say, you are a great king, truly fit to lead us all," I said, bowing deeply in respect.

This wasn't just about showing gratitude—it was a way to strengthen my position and ensure my contributions were recognized and valued. It was a step in securing the support of those in power.

The crowd responded with excitement, murmuring in agreement, clearly pleased with the idea.

Harvey then spoke up, his voice strong as he bowed alongside me.

"Thank you, Mr. Ape King, for letting us care for the females in the City," he said, with my mates and the other guys following his lead.

The crowd joined in, their voices echoing the same appreciation, boosting my reputation even more.

Wilbard's mood seemed to lighten at the show of support, and he smiled, nodding in approval.

"It's what's best for our City and our females," he said, his words prompting loud cheers and roars from the gathered crowd.

Turning my focus back to Winston, I wondered if he had been watching me all along.

When our eyes met, a shy smile tugged at my lips, and with my heart racing, I said, "I have gifts for you."

The surprised look on his face told me he was still trying to understand what was happening.

I handed Winston a waist cloth and proudly said, "I sewed this myself."

As I reached around him to tie it, something caught my eye that left me frozen for a moment—Little Big Tony! The leaning tower of Pisa...

Winston, much like Tony the Bear, had a beastman that was definitely a weapon of mass destruction. It caught me completely off guard.

My brain short-circuited for a moment. I hadn't noticed it when I first walked up, and when he transformed, I was too busy looking into his eyes and how he kept growing taller and taller.

When I finally snapped out of it, I couldn't help but wonder—would Winston be upset if I called his beastman Little Big Tony?

Shaking my head to snap back to reality, I quickly looked away, coughing to hide my embarrassment. I knew everyone had just seen me staring.

Next, I pulled out the necklace with a pure crystal, but I soon realized a problem. With me being only 5 feet tall and him towering at 7 feet, I couldn't exactly reach him.

Winston must have noticed because he leaned down, bringing his head closer to my chest so I could easily put the necklace on him.

As I reached up, I couldn't help but notice how his muscles moved so smoothly, making him look even more powerful.

Our eyes met—his stone blue and gray gaze locked with mine, full of something warm and deep that made my heart race. Seeing my reaction made him blush too, which only made my own face feel hotter.

I carefully placed the necklace over his head, my fingers brushing through the soft waves of his hair. When he stood up straight, my hands naturally slid down his chest, feeling the path of the necklace.

He shivered slightly, and I could hear his breathing quicken. Watching the steady rise and fall of his chest, I wondered if this was some sort of test. Was he trying to tempt me? Or was it just the way we were drawn to each other?

Pushing aside my flustered thoughts, I quickly tied the wristband around his wrist.

"It is my honor for you to be my mate," I said, keeping my voice steady even though I felt a whirlwind of emotions inside.

This moment was about more than just gifts; it was about changing his story.

In the novel, this was the day he was humiliated, made to feel small in front of everyone. But today, I wanted to lift him up and remind him of the strong, worthy male I saw in him.

I wasn't just giving him a wristband or a necklace—I was fixing his crown, silently telling him to stand tall and be proud.

The crowd murmured and whispered, watching everything closely. Their eyes were full of curiosity and surprise, sensing that something important was happening.

This wasn't just a personal win for Winston; it was his moment to reclaim his pride and let everyone see him in a new light.

For me, it was about showing the power of respect and acceptance, proving that recognizing someone's true worth could change everything.

Winston seemed overwhelmed by it all, his expression raw and emotional. He didn't need words—his grip tightening on my hand and the tears welling in his eyes said it all.

As I turned to walk back to my mates, the guys, and Bailey, they were waiting for us.

Lining up in two rows, with John and Steve joining in, they all bowed to Winston and said, "Welcome to the family."

I felt his hand squeeze mine tighter, and when I looked up, his eyes were wet with emotion. This moment, this acceptance, meant everything to him.

Wilbard's applause cut through the heavy emotions in the air, his voice loud and commanding, "Let the battles begin!" signaling the start of the competition.

Just as the excitement peaked, Qean made a dramatic entrance. "Wait!" she shouted, bringing everything to a sudden halt and grabbing everyone's attention.

Her hesitation and the swirl of emotions on her face were clear as she took in the scene—everything she had once dreamed of for herself now slipping out of reach.

Her sudden interruption, filled with desperation and emotions she hadn't fully dealt with, left everyone holding their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

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