Chapter 12
Sadie watched from the sidelines as her brothers took the stage with Lorena standing in the center, holding the trophy that should have been hers. She wore a dazzling smile like she’d earned it.
They trampled over all of Sadie’s hard work to lift someone else up.
Now, watching the game again on the TV, Sadie felt something break open in her chest–raw and unhealable.
“You crying? Geez, it’s not a soap opera. No need to get emotional.” Sean said lazily.
Snapping out of her thoughts. Sadie wiped the tears from her face. She hadn’t even realized she was crying–memories from her previous life had overwhelmed her before she could stop them.
A tissue appeared in front of her. Sean’s fingers were long and clean, almost elegant.
She took it with a hint of embarrassment. “Do you play this game?”
“Kid,” he replied without looking at her. “the most important thing for you right now is studying, not gaming ”
Sadie turned her gaze back to the screen. Her tone was calm but certain. “Douglas Team’s going to lose.”
Douglas Team–her sixth brother Rhett’s team.
Sean’s lips quirked. “You’ve got a sharp eye.”
Sure enough, when the match ended. Douglas Team had lost–badly
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On–screen, Rhett’s face was like thunder. He even slammed his
keyboard in frustration.
Classic Rhett. Hot–tempered as ever.
Strangely, Sadie felt a flicker of satisfaction.
She knew that once Rhett got home, he’d try to rebuild the team again.
But this time, she wasn’t going to play for the Douglas family.
She’d fight for herself. Go pro. Earn money. Pay for college. Support herself.
No more being manipulated with frozen bank cards. No more being forced to follow Lorena to some second–rate university just to keep her
company.
She wanted independence–real independence.
Right now, esports wasn’t considered a stable career, and sponsorships were few. But she knew that within a year, livestreaming would explode in popularity. Pro players would be able to earn money through streaming as well.
And with all her experience from her previous life, this was her fastest, most efficient way to make money.
Sadie quietly made up her mind.
After the match stream ended, Sean walked over and removed her IV needle.
He pressed a cotton swab to the spot on her hand. “Your meds are on the table. You’re free to go.”
“Thanks,” she said, grabbing the medicine before walking out of the
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infirmary
Not long after she left, another young man sauntered in, casual and smug. “Yo, Scan. Didn’t think I’d catch you playing knight in shining armor. You know that girl? Her reputation around here’s garbage. Went ballistic on the school forum last night. Don’t let her fool you.”
Sean leaned back in his chair, his usual icy distance replaced by a kind of relaxed indifference.
“Why are you still here?” he asked without much interest.
“I’m curious,” Nick Petersen said with a grin. “Why this school? Why take a job here of all places? And you didn’t even show up to Rickie’s match. He was totally distracted, kept looking for you. Almost got blindsided by that Douglas family kid. Just tell me the reason, and I’ll leave.”
Sean pulled off his mask and casually rolled up his sleeve, revealing a jagged scar.
Nick’s expression shifted, his tone sobering. “It’s been years, and you still haven’t let it go? That car crash wasn’t your fault… Wait–don’t tell me that girl is-”
“Shut up.”
Sean closed his eyes and leaned back, done with the conversation.
Sadie took a cab back to the Douglas family
As she stepped into the foyer, she heard Lorena’s cheerful voice echoing from the living room. It sounded like everything was sunshine and smiles in there.
That was, until she showed up.
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Chapter 12
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The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Without so much as a glance, Sadie walked through the living room, expressionless, heading straight for the stairs.
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