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Chapter 4

Author: Barkless Hound
I sat in the bleachers for a long time.

Until the sky outside gradually darkened.

My phone suddenly vibrated.

It was a news push notification.

“Bullying Within the National Diving Team? Controversy Over World Qualification Escalates!”

I frowned slightly.

I tapped into the notification.

In the next second, my breath hitched.

Someone had uploaded a video to the internet of me storming into the judges’ lounge yesterday.

The video was blatantly edited.

It cut out all context and backstory.

All that remained was the footage of me with bloodshot eyes, demanding answers.

“Why give me the lowest score?”

“Why does it have to be Seren?”

“You knew I dived better than her!”

The comment section had completely spiraled out of control.

“If you can’t handle losing, don’t compete!”

“I used to like her, but now she really disgusts me.”

“A veteran bullying a newcomer—get out of the national team!”

“I heard she even planted banned drugs in the newcomer’s locker and got suspended.”

“How can the national team keep someone like this?”

Some people turned screenshots from my past competitions into mockery memes, throwing cruel jokes around online.

Some even flooded my parents’ social media pages with hate comments.

“Look at the wonderful daughter you raised.”

“Sore loser, get out of the national team.”

A live interview popped up on the trending page.

Reporters crowded around Seren and Cassian, shoving a dense cluster of microphones and cameras in their faces.

“Seren, claims online state that Elowen Ashcroft intentionally placed banned drugs in your locker to frame you out of resentment over the results. Is that true?”

Seren’s eyes instantly turned red.

She lowered her head, her voice trembling with tears.

“Elowen has always been an incredible senior.

“Honestly, I don’t know why things turned out like this...

“Maybe I just wasn’t good enough somewhere…”

The reporter suddenly thrust the microphone toward Cassian.

“Mr. Blackthorne, as one of those involved, what are your thoughts regarding the online controversy?”

I stared intently at the screen.

Cassian raised his head, his expression calm and detached.

“Elowen has been under an immense amount of pressure over these past few years.

“She has always placed great importance on her results and cared deeply about qualifying for this world tournament.”

My heart plunged straight into an abyss.

The reporter’s eyes instantly lit up with excitement.

“Are you implying that she was triggered by the competition outcome?”

Cassian didn’t deny it, simply stating in a low voice, “Every athlete experiences moments where they lose control of their emotions.

“I hope everyone can view this situation rationally.”

The live chat room exploded completely.

I finally couldn’t hold it together anymore.

Nausea surged in my stomach.

I sprinted into the restroom and threw up until I was completely drained.

The woman in the mirror looked deathly pale, her eyes deeply sunken.

She bore no resemblance to the once high-spirited champion.

I gripped the edge of the sink.

A sudden wave of deep exhaustion washed over me.

‘Elowen, just hold on a little longer.’

‘You’ll be able to leave this place very soon.’

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  • When I Sank Into the Deep Sea   Chapter 10

    The next time I heard news about Cassian was a month later.Winter comes early in Switzerland; snow had already begun to drift down by late October.I sat in my office at the training center reviewing training schedules. Outside the window lay a blanket of pure white, while the indoor heating made one feel pleasantly drowsy.My phone vibrated once.It was a text message from a reporter back home.“Coach Ashcroft, have you seen the news? Cassian Blackthorne has been banned from judging for life.”My fingers paused for a second.I tapped the link.It was a sports news story that had already climbed to the top of the trending topics.Former International Judge Cassian Blackthorne Admits Unfair Scoring Two Years Ago, Banned for Life from Refereeing Activities.The main text was brief, containing just a couple of hundred words.Former international-level diving judge Cassian Blackthorne recently submitted written materials to the Sports Commission, admitting to intentionally supp

  • When I Sank Into the Deep Sea   Chapter 9

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  • When I Sank Into the Deep Sea   Chapter 8

    Two years later. Switzerland.The World Aquatics Annual Technical Summit.Cassian sat in the very last row of the venue.The main screen was broadcasting this year’s global youth athlete development initiative.Suddenly, the host’s voice echoed through the hall.“Next, please join us in welcoming the head of this year’s Best Youth Development Program—“Chief Technical Advisor for the International Youth Diving Team.“Elowen Ashcroft.”Thunderous applause erupted across the room.Cassian snapped his head up instantly.Under the spotlight, a familiar silhouette slowly walked onto the main stage.Dressed in a sharp black business suit, her long hair pinned up neatly, her back stood straight and tall.Her posture exuded poise and quiet composure.She was a completely different person from the girl in his memories, who always wore training gear and carried a body full of injuries.Cassian froze in utter shock.Two years.Two whole years.This was the very first time he had

  • When I Sank Into the Deep Sea   Chapter 7

    What truly made Cassian realize Elowen was gone was his birthday a month later.At ten in the evening.His phone remained dead quiet.No phone call, no text message.And no cake delivered right on time.Sitting in his office, Cassian suddenly recalled the past seven years.No matter where he was, Elowen was always the very first person to send him birthday wishes.One year, he was judging an event abroad with an eight-hour time difference.Elowen had pulled an all-nighter just to call him right as the clock struck midnight.Back then, he had said, “Elowen, why are you so clingy?”The girl on the other end of the line had laughed happily. “Because Cassian only has one birthday a year!”Just then.The office door was suddenly pushed open.Dr. Alaric Kensington walked in holding a folder.“Cassian, the files regarding the banned drug incident need to be archived and signed.”Cassian nodded and casually opened the folder.In the next second, his hands froze mid-motion.Tuc

  • When I Sank Into the Deep Sea   Chapter 6

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  • When I Sank Into the Deep Sea   Chapter 5

    In the early hours of the morning, Cassian came to my dorm room to see me, holding a paper bag in his hand.“Avoid looking at social media for now. Things will settle down after a while.“I bought you some pistachio Basque cheesecake. It’s your favorite.”Pistachio Basque cheesecake.That was something I loved three years ago.Yet now, looking at that cake, my stomach churned with nausea again.Did he not know that I no longer liked sweet food?Did he not know that since last year, to maintain my weight for the world tournament, I hadn’t touched a single slice of cake for a whole year?“Cassian.”My voice was very quiet.“You know those videos were taken out of context, and you know there is no proof regarding the banned drugs.“As long as you say one word on my behalf, things won’t end up like this.”Cassian fell silent for a few seconds before speaking.“Elowen, the situation has already escalated.“Explaining now won’t change anything.“Besides…”He paused.“Seren i

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