Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 10

Under the dazzling lights, my teammates and I stood together on the championship podium that belonged to us.My girlfriend, Nina Vale, walked toward me carrying a bouquet of flowers.She had said that once I won the championship, we would go public with our relationship. Today, she had come especially to bring me flowers—roses, no less, the kind that symbolized love.This was the first time she had ever given me flowers. It was also the first time she had ever looked at me with such gentleness.I suppressed the happiness, nerves, and anticipation rising in my chest, my face flushing as I watched her step closer and closer.I thought that the moment she handed the flowers to me, I would immediately drop to one knee and propose as a surprise.Even though we had argued just yesterday because of someone else, what couple never fights?My fingers trembled slightly as I grazed the ring in my pocket."Congratulations on winning the match and taking the championship," Nina said, extend

Nina had never put this much thought into anything she did for me.Even on my birthdays, when I explicitly asked her for a cake, she would impatiently say that we were all adults and that those flashy, useless rituals were meaningless.Yet now, in front of fans and friends, she had prepared such a grand surprise for Rowan.So that was how it was. Only when you truly cared would you bother putting in the effort.Rhea watched my expression closely. Clearly satisfied with my reaction, she curled her lips into a faint, amused smile.After the fan event ended, Nina and Rowan returned to the private room together.Rhea immediately ran over and looped her arm through Nina’s. "Nina, you prepared such a big surprise for Rowan, and Ash watched the whole thing. Careful, you might make him jealous."Nina’s body stiffened abruptly. She looked up at me, a trace of guilt in her eyes. "Next time, when it is your birthday or an anniversary, I will prepare the exact same kind of surprise for you

Inside the conference room, Grant gave Rowan unusually high praise. He said the CP videos of Rowan and Nina had gone viral, driving significant economic gains for the studio.After a brief pause, he added that there would be adjustments to team roles.Under his unsubtle gaze, and Rowan’s occasional provocative looks in my direction, a bad feeling crept up on me.Sure enough, Grant turned to me."Ash, you have worked hard these past two years. So, to let you get some proper rest, we have decided that you don't need to keep grinding for matches for the time being."The jungler position will be handed over to Rowan. From now on, he will serve as captain and lead the team to more victories."Don't worry. Since you are a senior member of the team, I won't treat you unfairly. During this period, you can help out with logistics."They were taking the core jungler off the roster and sending him to the back to cook. How was that any different from using someone up and tossing them aside?

I looked at Ivy in front of me in surprise, her eyes practically sparkling.I smiled helplessly. "Don't joke around. My hand is already ruined. What team could I possibly join?"It's true!" She got so anxious that she yanked down her mask, revealing a delicate, strikingly pretty face. "Look. This is a team I just put together. We are missing exactly one jungler. Ash, I've been your fan for a long time. Please, just take a look at us. Our team really needs you."She pulled out her phone and showed me everything, including her studio and her team.Immortal Ashes (IA), wholly funded by Ivy Calder.I stared at her in shock. "You actually built a team?"That name sounded oddly familiar. Was she not the daughter of the real estate tycoon behind the Calder Group?"Is your father Gordon Calder?" I asked.Ivy scratched her head shyly and smiled. "That would be my dad.""Then why would a perfectly good heiress run around building teams and pretending to be a nurse? What are you trying t

In the video, I was bringing Nina flowers and meals, wiping sweat from her face, and handing her clothes.Alas, Nina never once looked at me. Her attention was always on Rowan.The scene shifted. It showed me begging Nina to stay, while she abandoned me without hesitation.Back when we were together, I had not felt it so clearly. Now, watching it from a bystander’s perspective, I really did look like Nina’s lapdog.Ivy looked at me with concern. "They must feel threatened by you. That's why they are using such underhanded tactics. Don't read those comments. You don't want them affecting the match."I nodded.After preparing for so long, of course, I was not going to let this kind of negative noise shake me.However, before I could make any move, Nina came looking for me herself."Ash, I'm sorry. I didn't know you had done so much for me." She cried as she grabbed my sleeve. "I was the one who wronged you before. I didn't pay attention to boundaries with male friends."I gave R