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.

around the

idea. She ran

the team shifted uncomfortably before speaking up. "Lucas, Xenia was just really desperate to win. That's why she got so worked

working so hard. She often trains on her computer

what you said earlier

sank in. "Harsh? What do

without the talent, she would have had to work harder to

have much talent. She had just made a big mistake. Lucas wondered if he couldn't

worked so hard-sacrificing her schoolwork, no less-yet you still scold her, Lucas? Sure,

with frustration. He questioned the reasoning behind this argument and wondered why

be to you, and

not even the same thing! This was Xenia's fault-"

You're the one who led the team into that trap. As the captain, you're responsible for the team's performance. Xenia only made mistakes because she was too

Lucas. No matter what he said, Frank refused

crossed and her expression coldly detached. "Finally, Lucas is getting a taste of his own medicine. How does it feel to be blamed? Misunderstood? To have no way to defend yourself?" she thought. Meanwhile, Frank pulled out his

this match, you'll have to follow my lead for the rest

the hell should we listen to

I know how to win." Her tone was sharp, measured, and cold as she began to outline

part of the match, she had closely observed Team Luminark's gameplay. She understood their strengths and weaknesses better than anyone. After all, they used

got some talent. You haven't even been training lately, so what makes

"If you don't

scoffed again, the sound filled with derision. "Quit, then.

one else has a better plan, we should

he knew that Frank was right. They didn't have

wasn't here to win Lucas' approval. She was fighting for herself. The unexpected player substitution by Team Luminark stirred up

Cedric stood by the window,

the chaos? Yet look at her now-she's stepping in to compete. No matter how unfairly