Alice''s lips curled into a sardonic smile. “Why would I care about your feelings?” Her sixth brother, Luke, clearly hadn''t gotten the memo.


    "Alice, everyone knows you''re my sister. I have a beef with the Bubble team. If you join, I''ll be atughingstock!" Luke had already been ridiculed. He''d lost the first round of the finals and his team was floundering. If Alice joined the Bubble team, what would be of his? "Do you live by the ocean? Why are you so nosy? She hung up before he could utter another. word. He wouldn''t be dreaming she would ever go back to that life, would he? Ridiculous.


    That afternoon, Alice headed to the Harvard esports club''s gaming center. The facility was impressive. She entered, finding several other new recruits.


    “Alice, the country bumpkin ys games, too?”


    Alice looked up, spotting Max, but not Chloe. She sat down, her tone even."I didn''t expect you to be such a stalker. I go somewhere, you follow." Max''s arrival right after her was suspicious. Chloe was a better informant than she''d thought.


    "Don''t tter yourself,” Max sneered. “My father sponsors this club. What are you doing here?”


    "Oh, and you think this is some exclusive club? Only people with connections get in?" Alice


    retorted.


    Max''s voice dripped with disdain. “Do you even have the skills?"


    "Whether I do or not is none of


    your business."


    Alice ignored her, infuriating Max.


    Soon, the team captain, Jason (3), arrived. "Wee. Only those who pass the trials will be reserve yers."


    Max sneered. Some people won''t even make it past the tryouts."


    Alice was among thest group. She sat down, ready for the trial matches. Max subtly instructed a teammate to increase the difficulty of the Al opponents.


    Alice sensed the change immediately, but it made no difference; she dispatched the Al opponents in seconds.


    The onlookers


    were stunned. She''s amazing! She took out the Al so fast!"


    "Wow, she''s a pro!"


    Max red at the teammate."I told you to increase the difficulty! Did you mess up?" "Ms. Garcia, I did increase the difficulty. She''s just... really good." She was obviously a seasoned yer.


    Alice gave Max a knowing smile. Jason stepped in."Looks like we''ve got a talented neer! Alice, congrattions on bing a reserve yer.”


    Alice was unfazed, but Max fumed. Pulling Jason aside, she whispered, "I don''t care. I won''t let that bitch join!"


    "Ms. Garcia, Alice passed the trial. We can''t overturn that in front of everyone. Besides, if you want to deal with her, plenty of opportunities will arise."


    Max considered this. "You''re right."


    She wouldn''t let Alice off the hook that easily, though.


    Later, Alice noticed a photo on the wall of honor a shadowed figure in a hoodie, not a clear picture. It was King, the legendary gamer. She hadn''t known he was a Harvard alum.


    “Alice, you''re talented. Why join the club? Any specific goals?"


    "I want to join the national team," Alice said, stating her ambition.


    A hint of disdain shed in Jason''s eyes. He hid it well, though."Ambitious. You''ll need to train


    hard and be here often."


    Alice nodded.


    "Alice, want to go out tonight? I can show you around."


    I''m busy tonight."


    "It''s the club''s wee party for new members. You shoulde."


    Alice reluctantly agreed. But the party was at a bar. Jason smiled. “First time here? Don''t worry, I''ll keep you safe."


    "Whoa, our captain''s ying hero, someone teased.


    “Captain, we''re jealous!"


    Jason waved his hands. “Don''t be silly. You''ll scare her."


    The word


    "child" irked


    Alice. She subtly distanced


    herself from Jason.


    of


    They went to a private room. Luke (), noticing Alice with a group young people, was surprised. He went to a VIP room where several well-dressed young men were ying mahjong Luke whispered to Jack, "I saw Little Lemon."


    Jack frowned. "What''s she doing here?"


    “I don''t know. She''s with ssmates. Laughing and chatting. Some guy is fawning all over her.”


    Jack''s eyes darkened."Are yo sure?"


    you


    "Yeah, upstairs. But it''s normal. She''s made new friends in college, and has admirers now." Seeing Jack''s darkening expression, Luke didn''t say anything else. Jack, however, was on a rampage, winning hand after hand.


    “Jack, you''re on fire today."


    Luke nervously touched his nose. He guessed the reason. Some men couldn''t let go, even when they said they would.


    Downstairs, Alice sat in a corner, avoiding the constant toasts. Max and Chloe entered. Max announced, "I''m paying for tonight!"


    "Ms. Garcia, you''re aAlexome!"


    Max then looked at Alice."Except for her. I''m not paying for "her"."