Chapter 6

Yes, I would have plenty more tournaments.

My new life was just beginning.

That was exactly why I wanted to start it with a win.

Times had changed, and the game had changed with them.

The competition was fiercer than I expected.

I watched the action shift across the big screen, my palms slick with sweat.

"They're relying on gimmicks."

Shane took my hand. His voice and gaze were steady.

"But you've been K&K's practice partner all these years.

"If you hadn't left esports, your skill and talent would have made you a legend no one could surpass."

My eyes stung.

"Then I have even more reason to win this tournament."

During the break before the final, the air in the team room felt frozen.

Quinn Hayes, who was usually so lively, couldn't stop bouncing his leg.

I tapped his knee with my tactics board.

"Keep that up and the chair will fall apart."

He looked miserable.

"Susan, they made the top four last season."

"So?"

Silence.

I slapped the tactics board onto the table.

"I watched their matches from previous years. They always contest the bottom-side objectives in the first game. So, we'll let them have those."

The players all turned to me.

"Let them?"

"They'll think we're trading objectives."

I circled the upper half of the map.

"At three minutes, we collapse on their two players with four of ours.

"At five minutes, we use the Herald to force a teamfight.

"They like to play by a formula."

I looked at each of them.

"So, we'll break their formula."

Ten minutes later, the match began.

Game one.

Four against two.

We crushed their bottom lane duo.

Game two.

We faked a recall and caught them in a counterattack.

Game three.

For the final fight, I told our support to give up the contest for vision. The whole team circled behind them.

The commentator's voice cracked.

"How are all five K&K players in that position?"

"Beautiful!"

"A team wipe!"

A little over twenty minutes later, an announcement rang through the arena.

"Congratulations to K&K, winners of the national qualifiers!"

For a moment, everything around me went quiet.

I instinctively took out my phone to share the news with Perry.

But the comments exploded across my vision first:

[Ahhh! Our girl won! Gold at the national design competition! She's amazing!]

[I'm going to cry. The male lead put the winning necklace around her neck himself. Does that make it a symbol of their love?]

[Wait! Doesn't the diamond on that necklace look pink? Didn't the male lead buy a pink diamond for twenty-six million dollars?]

My phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor.

Shane's voice tightened. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine." I smiled, but tears rolled down my cheeks.

Before Shane could say anything else, Quinn and the others rushed over, wild with excitement.

"Susan!"

Quinn moved to throw his arms around me, but Shane stepped between us.

The whole group instantly settled down.

Then they started talking over one another again.

"Susan, you're my new idol. I mean it."

"I told you that flank would work!"

"You said Susan had lost her mind!"

I picked up my phone, composed myself, and smiled at Shane.

"Boss, we won the championship. Shouldn't you treat us to a good meal?"

Shane still looked worried about me.

"Your choice."

I turned to Quinn and the others. "Send your suggestions to the group chat. We'll vote."

"Thank you, boss!"

They pulled out their phones and noisily debated what to eat.

I opened my phone too and sent Perry the divorce agreement.

"Perry, let's get a divorce."