Chapter 26

Emery arrived at Apex Squad headquarters with Carmen. He’d promised her a spot in the lineup, and he intended to deliver.

The coach reported the scrimmage loss. Emery waved it off. “Just a scrim. Focus on real matches. Their new mid is good, but so are we.”

Encouraged by Emery’s confidence, the squad straightened up.

“Since everyone’s here,” Emery announced, “meet Carmen, my sister. She’ll join us for the Autumn Finals. As a rookie, she’ll only play the first round.”

To the team members, it translated clearly: Emery’s sister is coming to have some fun, and they need to take good care of her.

Despite having mocked Aubree during the scrimmage, the same guys who looked down on female esports players switched tones instantly.

“Emery’s sister is our sister!” the jungler declared. “Carmen, we’ll steal the enemy blue buff for you!”

“Just have fun, win or lose!” the topsolo added.

The support grinned. “Ditching my ADC for you, Carmen!”

Carmen lowered her eyes, feigning shyness. “Thank you, guys, for taking care of me.”

Her good looks, elaborate identity, and sweet act melted them.

Only Killian Beckett remained stern-faced. He didn’t understand what Emery was up to–was he bringing him in just to replace him with a rookie?

Under normal circumstances, he might have brushed it off. After all, Carmen’s status was untouchable, and she was only playing one round, just for show.

But now, he’d lost to Phoenix three times in a row. The mere sight of a female player gave Killian a chill.

“Need some air,” he muttered, storming out.

Carmen was quick to notice Killian’s mood. She knew who he was–Alvin’s former teammate. ‘He must think I’m here to steal his spot,’ she mused.

Since he had a history with Alvin, maybe she could use him to get close to Alvin.

With that in mind, she excused herself to Emery and followed Killian out.

Killian didn’t hold back when he saw her trailing him. “Shouldn’t you be getting worshipped, Miss Wilson? What do you want?”

Carmen offered a gentle smile. “I’m sorry if my presence upsets you.”

Killian froze, not expecting such a gentle response. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

“I know you were with God’s Fury. You were amazing!” she gushed. “If possible, I hope you can teach me.”

The unexpected admiration disarmed him. Killian’s lips twitched into a smile, though he still played tough. “I don’t waste time on idiots.”

“I’ll work hard!” Carmen’s smile dazzled Killian.

Aubree adapted swiftly–two days of weekend training had already forged significant chemistry with her teammates.

Matilda pointed out a few minor issues from the scrims, and after staying for extra training, Aubree left the base early that day.

When Aubree arrived home, she thought, ‘Something felt off.’ Normally, Carol would wait for her at the door each night, worried about her safety.

Tonight, the porch was empty.

Not only was Carol missing, but a sleek car she vaguely recognized was parked out front. Could Bowen be back? she mused.

The Wilson family had a fleet of vehicles. Aubree knew the frequently driven ones, but the rest blurred into anonymity.

When she stepped into the living room, she laughed dryly. Seriously? One after another?

Alice had just left, and now Ronald and Bryan? Who’s next?

With a small army of bodyguards in tow, did they even realize this was Bowen’s place?

In Rithol, if the Wilson family fears anyone, the Turner family tops the list.

Aubree had guessed right: Bryan had no idea this was Bowen’s private estate. Bowen publicly resided in Forth Bay; this villa was off the grid.

The Wilsons assumed it belonged to some new money upstart in Rithol–no local fortune could rival theirs, so Ronald made a bold entrance with armed guards.

Upon arrival, they’d announced their identity. Carol had let them in politely, but Hugh, sensing hostility, had messaged Bowen immediately. Unfortunately, Bowen’s phone was with Kelvin during a meeting.

“Get her,” Ronald snapped when he saw Aubree. He gestured at the bodyguards to seize her.

Carol tried to intervene, but she was no match for the burly guards. Aubree was pinned down effortlessly.

“Ronald, did you quit your company to become a kidnapper?” she snapped, ceasing her struggle.

Enraged, Ronald grabbed a steaming cup of coffee and hurled it at her. “Shut up! If you had any shame, I wouldn’t need to drag you home!”

The cup flew straight for her face, scalding water trailing behind. Aubree jerked her head aside. Scalding droplets still splattered her cheek, instantly raising a red welt.

The sting radiated across her skin, but she clamped her jaw shut, refusing to let a single sound of pain escape.

“Why didn’t you move?!” Ronald barked, instantly regretting the outburst. A direct hit would’ve disfigured Aubree.

Aubree turned to smirk at him. “Wouldn’t that disappoint you, my dear father? The almighty Ronald Wilson?”

Her words reignited Ronald’s fury. He wished he’d smashed the cup into her smug face. “I don’t have a whore for a daughter! I’ll drag you back if I have to!”

As the guards began dragging her out, Carol protested, “Sir, it’s improper to take Miss Miller from our place!”

The moment Ronald lashed out, Hugh rushed to summon security. If Aubree were dragged away on their watch, explaining it to Bowen would be a nightmare they couldn’t afford.

Aubree’s glare burned into Ronald and Bryan. “Unless you kill me today, everything you do–I’ll repay it tenfold!”

Ronald reached for another object, but Bryan intercepted him. “Aubree, Dad is just upset about your… indiscretion. Come home with us and sort this out.”

Aubree finally realized the truth–her family had come to “catch her in the act” of sleeping with a married man.

“Are you insane? Got proof? Or have you forgotten the contract you signed, Ronald? Your words are nothing but shit!” Aubree snapped, abandoning all pretense of dignity to hurl the crudest insults she could muster.

She turned the venom on Bryan. “And you–playing the good cop now? Save your fake concern!”

They bore the brunt of Aubree’s wrath. Ronald, already seething, looked ready to strangle her on the spot, while even the usually composed Bryan furrowed his brow in irritation.

“Proof?” Ronald hissed, jabbing a finger at her. “We know you got your sugar daddy on Magnus to frame Carmen! When will you stop lying?!”

“Me, frame her?!” Aubree laughed, eyes blazing. ‘As if Carmen’s dirty deeds needed fabrication,’ she sneered.

Aubree’s eyes reddened with fury. “Get your brains checked! See if stupidity runs in the Wilson bloodline!”

The house descended into chaos–until a cold, cutting voice sliced through the air. “You seem lost, gentlemen. This isn’t the place for your theatrics.”

Before he even appeared, Chris and Samson burst in with armed guards, yanking the bodyguards off Aubree and shielding her protectively.

The doorway cleared as Bowen entered, his gaze ice-cold, each step deliberate. He positioned himself beside Aubree, his eyes raking over her.

When Bowen’s gaze landed on the red welt on her cheek, his jaw tightened, his stare turning glacial. Even a fool could see he was angry.

Ronald’s blood ran cold at the sight of him. ‘Bowen? How was this possible?’