Chapter 62 Cheating
Azalea had no idea when Hubert would come back. She stared out the car window, watching the blur by, her thoughts empty.
Suddenly, a flash of his smiling face popped into her head, and she jolted in surprise.
Was it because of that kiss? Why was she thinking about Hubert?
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The idea made her so uneasy that she shook her head hard and started mentally going over foreign language vocabulary to distract herself.
Abandon, quit, leave behind…
As always, Hex parked the car a bit away from the school in a quiet corner.
The moment they stopped, Azalea grabbed her bag and jumped out. “Hex, don’t pick me up after school. I’ve got plans.”
She wasn’t one to arrive particularly early, and the front of the school was usually quiet at this time. But today, the entrance was packed.
She noticed some reporters holding cameras.
What’s going on?
Azalea adjusted her backpack and moved closer. One of the reporters spotted her and sh Azalea!”
ed, “It’s
Instantly, the crowd rushed toward her. Reporters blocked her path, and the students watching didn’t leave her any room to get away.
Azalea was confused. Since when did winning an esports tournament earn this kind of attention?
But as soon as the reporters began talking, she realized she had gotten it wrong.
“Are you Phoenix, the mid–laner who took the win at the Glory League Autumn Finals?” one of them asked as a microphone came dangerously close to her face.
Azalea frowned and stepped back. “Yes, I am.”
“Then, as an esports player, what do you have to say about the cheating accusations from the tournament?”
“Is it true you were taken in by the Larks but later kicked out for acting out?”
“Did you truly cheat, Azalea?”
“People say you used to pick on your adopted sister and got thrown out because of it. Any comments?”
“Did you know the one who accused you of cheating was your teammate?”
What on earth were they saying?
20:54 Tue, 19 Aug
Chapter 62 Cheating
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A flood of questions hit Azalea all at once, leaving her dazed. Who accused her of cheating? Her teammate?
Wasn’t that all Matthias‘ doing? How did her teammate get dragged into that?
And why were they digging up her past with her family now?
Azalea reached out to grab a microphone, but someone suddenly shouted from the crowd.
“Mrs. Lark is here! Look, it’s her!”
A stylish woman in a fur–trimmed skirt stepped out, grabbing a mic without hesitation. Her bodyguards quickly made space.
Ivy walked straight over to Azalea.
“I’m Ivy, Azalea’s mother. I’m deeply sorry my daughter chose such unscrupulous means. As her mother, I take responsibility.”
Ivy’s words immediately shifted the reporters‘ attention.
“Mrs. Lark, are you confirming your daughter cheated in the tournament?”
“I don’t know the details, but I wouldn’t put it past her.”
After hearing that, everyone’s attitude toward Azalea shifted.
Ivy looked like a tired parent who’d given up, worn out by her daughter’s rebellion.
Azalea watched coldly. She was sure those reporters wère in cahoots with Ivy.
“So the rumors online about Azalea picking on her adopted sister and getting kicked out are true?”
“It’s not ideal to bring up personal family matters, but yes, it’s true,” Ivy replied. “I actually came today hoping I could convince her to change.”
After performing for the cameras, she finally looked at Azalea. “Azalea, I’m ready to forgive everything you’ve done. If you apologize today, I’ll take you back home.
“But you have to promise not to bully Sydney again.”
What a “touching” scene.
Someone in the crowd couldn’t help commenting, “I wish my mother were that understanding and kind!”
“Exactly. She’s wealthy, pretty, and gentle–my ideal mother.”
Ivy’s approach this time was much more calculated than before.
She used the crowd to pressure Azalea, twisting the situation before anyone understood the truth.
If Azalea started defending herself like she had in the past, it would only make her seem like the problehi.
After all, Ivy was her mother.
20:54 Tue, 19 Aug
Chapter 62 Cheating
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Azalea sneered. Did Ivy think she’d be afraid to make a scene? She had nothing to lose. What was there to fear?
The criticism around her grew louder.
“I thought she was our school’s pride. What a letdown.”
“Does it still count if the winner cheated?”
“I used to think Azalea wouldn’t risk cheating at such a huge event. But now, even her mother is turning on her. That says a lot.”
Some sighed in disappointment, while others sneered.
“She doesn’t appreciate how lucky she is.”
“Posts were saying she got kicked out of the Larks because she was jealous and shoved Sydney down the stairs. Later, she blamed Sydney for faking it. I believed her back then, but now? It’s starting to look like she wasn’t so innocent after all.”
