Chapter 176
Their eyes met, and they could tell each other’s lentities
Ruby asked, “Are you the “Tigers‘ team!”
Eliana replied, “Yes”
Ruby smiled. “You guys are impressive. I’m looking forward to the match this afternoon,
Elana said, “Likewise. See you this afternoon.”
With a brief ex
exchange, both teams parted ways.
Outside the stadium, the sun shone brightly.
Eliana hailed a car. “Let’s head to Jarrod’s internet cafe. I heard the official site uploaded the preliminary match videos. Let’s check them out.”
The others replied, “Alright,”
Shortly after Eliana and her team left, Willow and Wendy’s teams arrived at the stadium.
They came with a long list of demands, insisting on private lounges and perfectly positioned computer setups for the best camera angles
Both Wendy and Willow were obsessed with appearing flawless on cantera.
They worried about looking bad on the live broadcast because the high–definition lens didn’t have a beauty filter.
While they were nupicking, the adjacent lounge belonged to “Flowers.”
Team captain Ruby was verifying ID card numbers
One teammate adjusted her uniform’s bow in front of a mirror, two others sipped milkshakes on the couch, and the short–haired girl stood by the window, smoking while replying to messages
Before long, a knock came at the door
Without turning around. Ruby called out. “Patricia, get the door,”
Patricia Morrow, the girl adjusting her how, nodded. “Got it
She opened the door to find a staff member standing awkwardly, with Wendy’s team behind him.
Patricia asked, “Is there something you need?”
The staff member looked uneasy. “Sorry to bother you: May I speak to your captain?”
Patricia stepped aside. “Ruby, they’re asking for you.”
Ruby put down the ID cards and walked to the door. “What’s the matter?”
The staff member apologized immediately “Ms. Grant, Fm so sorry.
Before the staff member could finish, Wendy boldly stepped around him, strutting into the lounge. She scanned the room, then declared, This room will do
The teammates inside were confused.
Ruby asked, “What’s that supposed to mean!”
The staff member hesitated and said, “Ms. Grant, this is Ms. Hall from Flanes. She wants to switch lounges with your team
This lounge had windows and a nice view.
Wendy crossed her arms, casually inspecting her nails with her other hand. “Yep, I like this room. Since you’re only playing one match this afternoon, just let us have it
Ruby frowned. “What do you mean by
one match?
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Chapter 176
Wendy chuckled. “Exactly what it sounds like.”
In her mind, neither “Flowers” nor “Tigers” would make it to the finals, so she figured they might as well give up the more spacious lounge.
Had Wendy asked politely, Ruby might have considered it.
But her rude, emuled aminade left no room for discussion.
Ruby said, “I’m not switching. Get out.
The staff member looked even more distressed
Wendy asked, “Not switching? Why not?”
Patricia replied, “No means no. Can’t you understand rejection?”
Wendy glanced at Patricia, eyeing her up and down with clear disdain. “Who are your if you’re not the captain, you have no say. You’re all just here for the prize money anyway, right? How much would it take to trade rooms?”
Ruby and her teammates were stunned.
Her words were downright insulting. This was outright bullying.
The two girls on the couch sprang to their feet. “What’s that supposed to mean? Flaunting your little bit of cash? If you’re that rich, why not just buy the whole stadium and pick any room you want!
Wendy ignored them entirely, as if dealing with them was beneath her. She sighed in annoyance.
She looked at Ruby and asked, “Enough with the nonsense. Seven thousand dollars. Deal or not
Ruby replied. “I’d give this room away for free to anyone but you. No deal?
Wendy let out a cold laugh, tumed, and left the lounge
But she wasn’t giving up. She went straight to the event organizers to negotiate.
She wanted to pressure them until they relented and gave her another preferred room. No way was she getting this one.
After Wendy left, the staff member apologized profusely.
He was caught in a difficult position
Ruby said. “It’s okay.”
Once the door closed, the room erupted,
“What a piece of work! She used her wealth to insult people! Outrageous!”
“What
An
idiot! What team did she say she’s from ‘Flames? If we get the chance, we’ll crush them!”
“Right? And offering 7000 dollars. Does she think that’s a lot of money! HilariousTMTM
Despite being teenagers, the team members earned significant amounts from their gaming gus
am
They were far from impressed by a mere 7,000 dollars.
Ruby said. “Alright, enough about her. Let’s focus
Meanwhile, Wendy’s negotiations paid off. She secured her desired lounge.
But after this incident, animosity between “Flames” and “Flowers” was inevitable.
Eliana’s team headed to Jaerod’s internet cafe.
There, they reviewed several of “Flowers’s previous matches. Their gameplay clearly followed a well–planned strategy, backed by solid technical
skills.
Eliana’s team carefully analyzed the recordings
They broke down “Flowers’s rhythm and identified each player’s strengths and weaknesses. They devised a strategy specifically targeting “Flowers.”
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Chapter 176
“Give me five“”
“If we win this afternoon, let’s have a barbecue tonight”
“Okay!”
After a quick lunch, they played a few more practice games.
Jaerod, aware that Eliana had been busy with the university toumament, knew she hadn’t visited the black market in a while.
news to share.
However, he had urgent news to sha
Discreetly, he approached Eliana as she was filling her water bottle.
He said, “Someone’s put a bounty on you in the black market”
Eliana paused and frowned. “A bounty on me?”
Jarrod nodded. “Looks like someone traced your IP from that old post you made in the black market and figured out you’re in Dratora City. The black market higher–ups put a 300–thousand–dollar bounty on you. A lot of people are digging for your info now. Be prepared.”
The post that Eliana created using the alias “Six Noir,” which was meant to draw out Jarrod, proved to be the critical clue.
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