Chapter 25
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My interest was piqued by Jack’s suggestion. We hid in the back, watching as Luke led the team to take down the monsters.
After all, the big boss was tough to beat and required teamwork; by the time they were close to success, everyone was usually on their last legs. Normally, no one dared to snatch the boss from a well–known team like this. But there were exceptions. I knew the boss’s attack patterns; I knew the optimal
moment to strike.
Jack and I worked seamlessly together and landed the final blow at the perfect time. We successfully snatched the boss away from Luke and Chloe.
The world channel lit up with the announcement: Congratulations to Sweet Lemon for defeating the Peach Blossom Spring Boss!
When Luke saw this outcome, he exploded in anger over the headset, shouting, “What are you all doing? How did they steal the boss?”
Chloe added fuel to the fire, “They were new accounts. Didn’t they know who we are? How dare they steal our boss!”
Luke roared, “Kill them!”
But soon, Luke’s screen went black; and the rest of the team fell to the ground, motionless. Luke stared at the name “Sweet Lemon“, feeling an unsettling familiarity in the way this player fought. It was so much like me! Could I have intentionally created a new account to steal his boss? No, I couldn’t be that skilled yet.
Meanwhile, Jack and I had claimed the boss and received the dropped treasures, but it couldn’t compare to the thrill of outsmarting Luke and Chloe!
After playing for a while, our takeout arrived.
Jack paused. “Let’s eat first.”
I noticed a small cake, the same brand as the one Chloe received earlier. I looked at him.“Why did you buy a cake?”
“Girls like these things. Consider it a reward for your good performance. You didn’t disappoint me.”
I was touched. However, Jack’s expression turned a bit awkward as he added coldly, “It was just part of the takeout.”
emotions.
I picked up the small cake, feeling it was a special treat just for me. I took a bite, lowering my gaze, unable to calm my
Jack watched me in silence for a long moment. He swallowed hard, “Is the cake bad?” This cake was supposed to be popular.
I nodded. “It’s delicious. It’s been a long time since anyone bought me a cake.”
Since my parents passed away, I hadn’t celebrated a birthday. My brothers never remembered that I liked this cake; it was never for me.
Jack’s gaze fell on me.“Don’t you eat cake on your birthday?”
I was silent for a moment,“My parents died in a car accident on my birthday. I haven’t celebrated since.” Because that day passing. The atmosphere at home was always heavy on that day. I felt I had no right to celebrate.
was the
anniversary of their
Jack’s heart felt like it was being squeezed, struggling to breathe. He couldn’t help but turn his head, his lips pressed together, his expression cold with anger and guilt. His hands, instinctively clenched, veins popping on the back of his hands.
I sensed the shift in the atmosphere and looked up, pretending to be indifferent, “Honestly, I don’t care about celebrating my birthday because I don’t feel like it.” After all, that day was my parents‘ memorial. What right did I have to celebrate?
Jack controlled his emotions. Seeing my quiet, pale face, as docile as a small animal. I stood there silently, almost invisible. My understanding demeanor made him feel both angry and helpless.
He cleared his throat, his voice a bit hoarse, “It’s getting late, you should head home. Kids shouldn’t linger outside.”
“I know, Can I still come here to find you later?” I looked at him, my eyes filled with uncertainty.
Jack’s gaze turned dark as ink, “You trust me that much? Don’t you think I’ll deceive you?”
“Because I don’t have anything worth you deceiving me over.” I looked at him with complete honesty, “Teacher, you’re my only friend right now.” “Friend?” He smirked, then said sternly, “Don’t trust people easily, especially men.”
“Okay, I’m leaving. I waved and left the infirmary.
After I walked out, Jack remained seated, looking at the cake and remembering a smashed cake at the accident scene years ago. His head began to throb uncontrollably. Since that accident, he hadn’t eaten cake again.
After a long while, he received a call:“Sir, Miss Welch has arrived home safely.”
He hung up, his silhouette stretching long in the sunset.
< Chapter 25
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When I returned to the Welch family home, I found Noah sitting on the sofa, clearly waiting for me. I wore a blank expression, “Noah.”
Noah looked up, seeing his distant and stubborn sister, unsure of how to react. He had suspected I might have cheated when my grades improved s much, but he never expected my results to be genuine. Yet, how could I have suddenly improved so much after years of average performance?
SO
He felt I had changed significantly; I wasn’t just rebelling against them but had genuinely transformed. He felt a mixture of happiness and loss. The little sister who used to revolve around him seemed to have vanished! My good grades were a result of hard work, not defiance.
Noah began to reflect on his own biases against me, especially after Luke’s antics at school; he realized he had overlooked my feelings for too long. Was that why I had changed so much?
His tone was complex. “It’s late. Were you at a study hall again?”
“Yes.”
Noah sighed. “Isn’t the environment at home better than the outside study room? The outside world is complicated, with all sorts of people. You shouldn’t do your homework in those places; it’s not safe.” I pressed my lips together, here we go again, making decisions for me.
Noah continued, “Since Chloe’s grades have dropped significantly, I’ve hired a tutor for her. You should join too. If Chloe has any questions, you can help her out since you’re classmates. When she’s absent, you can take notes for her.”
My eyes were filled with sarcasm. So it was all for Chloe that he wanted me to come home to do homework.
I straightened my back.“I refuse.”
“Noah, I know Luke made a mistake at school today, and you’ve proven your strength. But we’re still family. Chloe’s decline is due to the team competition preparations. Since you’re not participating, you should put in some effort to help her improve her grades; after all, you have experience.” I found it ridiculous.
“I refuse!” I felt explaining was a waste of breath.
Luke burst out, pointing at me and cursing,“Alice, do you have any conscience? You’ve taken from the Welch family, yet contributed nothing! Aren’t you ashamed?”
I felt a surge of irony. I’d worked hard for the Welch family in my past life, honing my gaming skills to lead the team to victory. But what did I return? Chloe cried a few times and easily replaced me, taking my champion spot. In this life, I wouldn’t make that foolish mistake.
get
in
“Fine, from today, I’ll move out and won’t use a single cent of the Welch family.”
The break started now.
