No longer a pushover

Chapter 17

Noelle stood in the hallway, her gaze locking on Lucas.

Lucas, clearly embarrassed and on edge, was the first to break the silence. "You came to enjoy the show, didn't you? Having fun? Does it feel good to watch people mock our family's team? Bet you're loving this!" Noelle's expression remained cold and unyielding. "You're just not good enough."

Before Lucas could snap back, Team Trailblaze entered the backstage area.

Noelle's sharp gaze shifted toward their captain, Marty Gildon. He had been the one to spew insults before. "Let me ask you. Are you an orphan? Do you have any parents?" Marty's face darkened. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's literal. Your mouth is so disgusting. I figured that your parents might have passed away early and never had the chance to teach you any manners," Noelle said smoothly. Marty's fury ignited instantly. "You brat! Say that again, I dare you!"

Noelle's icy demeanor didn't crack for a second. "Here's the deal. If you lose this match, you'll publicly apologize to my parents in front of the press for the garbage you've just said." "Lose? Us? You're out of your mind!" Marty sneered.

"What's wrong? Too scared to agree?"

Marty took the bait without hesitation. "Fine! But if you lose, your captain has to publicly apologize for what you just said, too!"

With that, Team Trailblaze stormed off, their aggression practically radiating off of them.

Noelle remained calm. Deep down, though, she already knew how this would end.

Team Luminark was enveloped in a tense atmosphere.

Lucas scowled, his frustration boiling over. "If we lose, you're the one apologizing. Don't act like you're a part of this team, Noelle. You have no right to make decisions for us!"

"I'm only doing this to make him apologize for insulting my parents. Nothing more." Noelle's tone remained steady as she spoke.

Before Lucas could argue further, Frank came rushing into the room. "Noelle! Seeing you here makes me so happy. Finally, our family is back together."

Noelle pressed her lips into a thin line, offering no response.

glanced around the

"No idea. She ran off after

speaking up. "Lucas, Xenia was just really desperate to win.

been working so hard. She often trains on her computer late at night. She's doing

said earlier was pretty harsh,"

as the words sank in. "Harsh? What

idea to join the team. Naturally, without the talent, she

talent. She had just made a big mistake. Lucas wondered if

members, adding fuel to the fire. "Exactly! Xenia's worked so hard-sacrificing her schoolwork, no less-yet

wondered why this was suddenly his fault. Xenia was the one who didn't know

to you, and look at what you did to her.

the same thing! This was Xenia's fault-" Lucas

trap. As the captain, you're responsible for the

Lucas. No matter what he

a taste of his own medicine. How does it feel to be blamed? Misunderstood? To have no way to defend

through the silence. "If you want to win this match, you'll have to follow my lead for the rest of

immediately scoffed. "And why the hell should

his, steady and unyielding. "Because I know how to win." Her tone was sharp, measured, and

gameplay. She understood their strengths and weaknesses better than

you've got some talent. You haven't even been training lately, so what makes you think you can guarantee a win?" Lucas

lips pressed into a thin line. "If you don't follow my lead, I'll quit

with derision.

the argument could escalate further, Frank stepped in. "If no one else has a

he knew that Frank was

she slipped on the headset, her eyes sharpened with determination. This time, she wasn't here to win Lucas' approval. She was fighting for herself. The unexpected player substitution by Team Luminark stirred up murmurs of curiosity and speculation among

arena, Cedric stood by the window, his gaze fixed on

she was just here to watch the chaos? Yet look at her now-she's stepping in to compete. No matter how unfairly her family treats