The Queen They Buried

Apex Squad’s loss was bound to happen. Except for the one round God’s Fury purposely threw, almost every match ended the same way–their Nexus got smashed after the ten–minute dragon fight.

By now, no one dared to talk trash about Aubree being a girl. Anyone who knew anything about the game could see she was just as good as Alvin- maybe even better. Not even Killian could keep up with her.

“Phoenix! Phoenix! Phoenix!” The whole arena roared with the chant.

Onstage, the five players stood at the center, facing the crowd. Gold confetti poured down on them, shining like the moment belonged to them. They were the night’s real champions–even without the crown.

Bowen stared at Aubree as she stood in the spotlight, confident and glowing. He didn’t even realize how long he’d been watching her.

Ollie caught the look and couldn’t help but grin. ‘Bowen, you don’t know how much you care about this girl, do you?‘ he thought, amused.

For someone like Bowen–always cold and detached–caring this much was way out of character.

Meanwhile, Carmen sat offstage in Apex Squad’s prep area, watching Aubree soak up the crowd’s cheers. Her face twisted with rage.

‘That should be me. The fans, the glory, even Alvin’s attention–it should’ve all been mine. Why did Aubree have to come back and take it all? Why is she always stealing from me?‘ she thought bitterly.

Jealousy and hate wrapped around her heart like thorns. She couldn’t hide the look on her face anymore. Her expression turned bitter and almost twisted, her eyes locked on Aubree like knives.

Suddenly, she jumped up and stormed off toward the back. If she stayed any longer, she was afraid she’d lose it and charge onto the stage.

As she walked, her eyes turned cold. Aubree got kicked out of the Wilson family and still made a comeback, even getting Bryan and Emery on her side.

Taking a shaky breath, Carmen made up her mind–she couldn’t let this keep happening. If Aubree kept rising, she might be the one the family tossed

next.

In the stands, Daxton had been watching Carmen ever since she left the stage. When he saw her walk off alone, he didn’t hesitate to follow.

He’d seen Carmen practicing with Emery’s team these past few days. Even though her health wasn’t great, she’d been trying hard. Daxton knew tonight’s loss had to hit her hard.

‘Aubree just went too far,‘ he thought angrily. ‘Even if she wanted to win, was it really so hard to let Carmen take one game? Just one? Would that have killed her? What a bitter, spiteful brat.

aimed at Emery as well. ‘How could Emery let this happen? How could he not even know Aubree was playing? If he had, maybe they could’ve helped Carmen prepare

Daxton found Carmen crying alone

to see you like this,” he said, pulling her into

I embarrassed you,” Carmen cried, tears pouring down

her tighter. His anger toward Aubree burned even hotter. “It’s not your

Aubree’s bad.”

to cheer her up, he lowered his voice. “Carmen, do you want to

eyes red and swollen.I do,” she choked out. “If I won, Emery would be proud. My teammates might be happy. But I didn’t win. Aubree did, I’ll be happy for

tightened as he thought, ‘Carmen is too good. Even after everything, she still thinks of Emery, those ungrateful teammates, and even Aubree. That bitch stole her moment, and Carmen still

wanted was to protect Carmen, to

wiped her tears. “You’ve had a rough day. Go get some rest. I’ll take

bodyguards, but they were waiting in the car

with Apex Squad. She had already thrown a tantrum

harder online.

seeing Carmen off, Daxton took his bodyguards and headed to the parking garage to

time, Aubree had just finished her interview. She and her teammates were heading to the underground garage through

stepped out from the shadows–Daxton was leading them. “Grab her,”

who Daxton was, but it was pretty obvious he was there for Aubree. All four of them, plus Matilda,

away his cigarette, clearly out of patience. “Do it. I don’t

same as Chris and the other men

Daxton gave the order, the bodyguards attacked. Only Alvin had

none of them backed down. The four teammates did everything they could to protect

knocked down more than once. As she watched them throw themselves in front of her again and again,

they treated her like family they had to protect. And yet, her own brother

couldn’t let them get hurt because of her. A hand injury could end an esports

career.

he didn’t care what happened to Aubree. He stormed up, grabbed her by the neck, and

her teammates shouted, trying to help her, but the bodyguards held

snatched their

had cracked. She collapsed to the ground Still, she looked up