And if it weren’t for her grinding her way through every match, the team wouldn’t have even made it to the finals.
But at the very last moment, they swapped her out?
She had victory within reach–and they handed it over to Lorena like it was a gift.
So all her hard work–what did it amount to?
Nothing.
That was why this time, she wasn’t going to make the same mistake again.
Sadie’s voice was steady. “Rhett, I want to focus on preparing for my exams. I don’t want to get distracted by gaming.”
She turned him down–plain and simple.
Or more accurately, she rejected his order.
Because what Rhett said earlier wasn’t a suggestion. It was a command disguised as an invitation.
Rhett’s face darkened. “Did I hear you right? You’re actually refusing me?”
He was clearly caught off guard. When he asked her to join the team, it never even crossed his mind that she’d say no.
Sadie had always listened to him. Always done what he said. Never once disobeyed.
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But now, she met his eyes without flinching. “If it’s really an invitation, then I have the right to decline.”
Rhett looked visibly annoyed, clearly not expecting to be shut down like that.
But Sadie didn’t care anymore.
He snapped, “You’d better think this through. Don’t be so stubborn. If I take back the offer, don’t come crawling back later begging for a second chance!”
He’d already heard from Malik what had happened–how Sadie, out of spite, had given away the gold trophy he once gifted her to Lorena as some kind of apology.
That trophy was from the year he went pro. His first championship title. It meant the world to him.
And she just handed it over?
Lorena tugged gently at Rhett’s sleeve. “Don’t be mad, Rhett. I’ve dreamed of being on your team. Once Sadie cools off, I’m sure she’ll change her mind.”
She really shouldn’t have spoken.
Her words only made Rhett even angrier.
To him, Sadie was being ungrateful. Turning her nose up at something others would kill for.
He glared at her. “You’ve got one shot. Decide now. Are you joining the family team or not?”
Sadie actually found it funny. So this was the great Rhett–completely wrapped around Lorena’s finger.
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Lorena put on her usual innocent act. “Sadie, just say yes already. Don’t make Rhelt upset.”
Sadie turned to her. “Since it’s your dream to join the team, you can have my spot.”
With that, she headed back to her room.
She pulled out her textbooks and got to work. There was a lot she’d forgotten–she had to make every second count.
A while later, a servant knocked on the door. “Ms. Douglas, dinner is ready,”
“Just bring it up.”
“But Jeremy and the others are waiting for you in the dining room.”
So, in other words, they weren’t going to let her eat in peace.
Sadie gripped her pen tightly. She hadn’t escaped the Douglas family’s control just yet. For now, she’d play along.
She headed downstairs.
Jeremy, Malik, Rhett, and Lorena were already seated at the long dining table.
There were so many people in the Douglas family, they needed a party- sized table.
Sadie sat quietly at the far end, picked up her plate, and started eating without a word.
The atmosphere was a little tense–until Lorena’s sweet laughter broke the silence and lightened the mood.
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Rhett glanced over at Sadie, then said deliberately, “Lorena, after dinner we’ll teach you how to play. You’re smart–you’ll pick it up quickly. Probably better than some people.”
Lorena’s eyes lit up. “Rhett, I’ll work really hard! I promise I won’t drag the team down!”
Sadie heard it all but didn’t react. Let Lorena join the team. Fine by her.
When they lost the wildcard match, Rhett’s shot at competing again would be over for good.
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