Chapter 134
One of Jacob’s guys grinned and said, “Jacob, if you decide to befriend her, that girl’s hit the jackpot! Does she even know who you are? Even Bowen, that high-and-mighty big shot from Rithol City, has to put on a smile in front of you!” Jacob smirked and waved them off. “Alright then, go have fun.” With that, he strode toward Aubree.
Unaware that someone was watching her, Aubree stood scowling. Right on cue, Emery approached with cautious steps, his face etched with apprehension. “Aubree, aren’t you happy you won?” Emery asked, unable to gauge her mood. “Happy? Emery, would you be happy if someone let you win? You used to be a pro player yourself. When you made your teammates throw games, did you ever think about how they felt?” Aubree said. She truly never expected Emery would stoop to match-fixing. ‘Is this the same Emery I’d first seen, beaming with that triumphant swagger as he held the championship trophy?’ Aubree wondered.
“None of that matters.” Emery seemed unfazed. “I just want you to be happy. Aubree, if you’re worried about it affecting God’s Fury, don’t be. Even if something happens, I’ll handle it for you.” With desperate longing in his eyes, Emery tentatively reached out his hand. “Aubree,” he pleaded, “I just want to make it up to you, no matter what it takes. Can you forgive me? Please, will you come back with me?” Aubree shot Emery a look of utter disgust and quickly stepped away. “No. Emery, you make me sick! “If someone abandons their very principles, are they even themselves anymore? “If you had beaten me fair and square, maybe I’d look up to you and genuinely call you impressive. But right now, all I feel is disgust. Can you stop clinging to me like a piece of gum stuck to my shoe? Have you no shame at all?” Emery was utterly shattered, his eyes brimming with despair. He thought in disbelief, ‘Aubree called me disgusting… Disgusting? Me?’ The raw disgust on Aubree’s face hit Emery like a knife to the chest, and pain radiated through every inch of his body, right down to his fingertips. ‘So this is what it feels like to be despised by someone you care about. Is this how Aubree felt when we treated her that way before? Was it this unbearable for her, too?’ Emery wondered. Tears streamed down Emery’s face as he slowly sank to his knees, his body wracked with uncontrollable sobs. “Aubree… I’m so sorry…”
“Not every ‘sorry’ deserves forgiveness,” Aubree said. “Your apology? I’ll never accept it.” She showed not a shred of pity, and her gaze was chillingly cold. She had sought out Emery alone for one reason only: to make sure he would never throw another match in future competitions. ‘I don’t need it, and neither do the young members of God’s Fury!’ Aubree thought with disdain. “This is a stain on esports itself, and an outright insult to every ounce of effort God’s Fury members have poured into this.”
Behind her, Emery’s sobs still echoed, but Aubree didn’t so much as pause or glance back. With each step, she walked forward with unshakable determination. Bowen sent her the restaurant address, and Zachary was waiting for her outside. Aubree hadn’t gone far when she sensed something was off. ‘Is someone following me?’ she wondered. Jacob had never been the sneaky type, nor did he intend to hide. The moment he realized Aubree had spotted him, he strode out into the open, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. With his bright red hair and trendy clothes, the look in his eyes told Aubree he wasn’t some spoiled rich kid, just a street punk. Jacob, well over six feet tall, slouched casually with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Aubree’s fingers tightened around her phone. ‘Who the hell is this guy?’ she wondered. ‘What does he want? Judging by his designer clothes, he’s wealthy, probably not after my money!’ Jacob was no stranger to preying on lone girls. He always knew his limits, targeting only those without connections or influence. Willing or not, it never mattered. He could always make any trouble disappear afterward, no sweat. “Hey, gorgeous, heard you’re a gaming legend. Mind if I introduce myself?” Jacob said. “Sorry, I’m not interested in getting to know you. My friends are waiting, so I’ll be going now,” Aubree said, subtly warning him that she wasn’t alone. Jacob smirked. “Friends? Didn’t you stay behind all by yourself? The rest of God’s Fury already went off to celebrate their victory, didn’t they?” ‘He knows?’ Aubree thought, her guard instantly rising. Aubree’s eyes narrowed sharply. She didn’t have any self-defense tools with her, but since earning her own money, she’d been taking self-defense classes. She just wasn’t sure if she could take on a grown man over six feet tall.