Chapter 44 I’m Not Asking You
Chapter 44 I’m Not Asking You
Matthias had been watching Sydney train with Bastian for the past few days, and he noticed everything Sydney is frail, but this time she really put her heart into the fight. Losing must have crushed her.
Azalea is really something. Even if she wants to win, what’s the big deal if she loses one match? Sydney only played the first game. Couldn’t she have at least let Sydney win one round? What a selfish snake!
The more Matthias thought about it, the angrier he got, not just at Azalea but at Bastian too. Bastian’s supposed to protect his own sister, but he never warned anyone that Azalea was getting into esports. If he had, Sydney wouldn’t be in this awkward position now.
His anger boiled over when he found Sydney in the stairwell, hiding her face and quietly crying.
“Sydney, don’t cry. I hate to see you like this.” Without a second thought, Matthias pulled her into a hug.
“Sob, Matthias… I’m so sorry. I lost. Het you down.” Sydney hiccupped through her tears, and Matthias felt his heart break.
As he held her tight, his anger
ward Azalea grew even more. “This isn’t your fault. It’s all on Azalea.
He had an idea to lift Sydney’s spirits.
In a soft, calming voice, he asked, “Sydney, do you want to be champion?”
Sydney looked up, her eyes still wet. “I do… If I won the championship, maybe Bastian would be happier. Maybe the team too. But the champion’s not me–it’s Azalea. Still, I’m happy for her.”
Her words softened Matthias right away. Sydney is too kind. After everything Bastian did, she still cares about him and even those damn teammates.
Especially Azalea. She lost her championship to Azalea but still wishes her well. That made Matthias want to protect her more.
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He gently wiped her tears away. “You’re tired. Go get some rest. I’ll handle everything else.”
He had bodyguards with him but left them in the car instead of bringing them inside.
Sydney had to leave with the Anexis team. She had thrown a tantrum during the match; if she left alone, the online haters would come at her.
After seeing Sydney off, Matthias and his bodyguards went to the parking garage to confront someone.
Azalea had just finished an interview. The team was walking through a secure exit toward the underground parking when a group stepped out from the shadows. Matthias led them.
“Grab her.”
The GOD team didn’t recognize Matthias but immediately guessed he was after Azalea. The four boys and Riley quickly formed a protective circle around her.
“Who are you? What do you want?”
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Chapter 44 I’m Not Asking You
Matthias crushed his cigarette underfoot, impatience in his voice as he addressed the bodyguards, Just do it. If you hurt anyone. I’ll take care of it.”
These bodyguards were from the Larks and were as skilled as Ace’s crew.
Since Matthias gave the order, they attacked right away. Of the five men, only Wylie had learned some self–defense, but none could match professional fighters.
Still, the four stood strong, doing everything they could to protect Azalea.
During the fight, Azalea got knocked down a few times. Seeing the guys defend her so fiercely made her chest ache.
They’d only known her for two weeks, but these young men cared about her like a sister and risked themselves for her. Meanwhile, her own brother ordered his men to hurt the ones protecting her.
“Tell your people to stop!” Azalea pushed herself forward. She couldn’t let them get hurt for her sake. An esports player’s hands were too important–one injury could end their career.
But Matthias showed no mercy. Azalea pushing Sydney to tears again and again had hit a nerve deep inside him. How is this troublemaker still alive? I wish she was dead!
Grabbing Azalea by the neck, he slammed her into a nearby pillar.
“Azalea!” Her teammates tried to rush in but were held back firmly by the bodyguards.
Not only that, the guards snatched their phones and smashed them.
Ow, it hurts.
Her back felt like every bone was broken. Weak and gasping, she collapsed to the floor clutching her neck. Still, she forced herself up. “Matthias, do whatever you want to me.”
Matthias sneered. “Go tell the organizers you cheated and release a statement saying you’ll never play pro again.” He would take care of the rest.
“No way!” Azalea refused right away. The Glory League championship wasn’t hers alone, and even if it were, she wouldn’t give in to Matthias.
“I’m not asking you. I’m telling you!”
Matthias waved dismissively. Suddenly Lachlan’s shocked shout rang out, “What are you doing?!”
Azalea looked over and saw a bodyguard gripping Lachlan’s right hand.
“If you don’t cooperate–except for that Lennox kid, who’s off limits for now–the other three will lose both their hands.”
