Chapter 20 Come Home with Me
Sydney’s smile wavered slightly. “If it’s too much trouble, never mind…
Despite her casual dismissal, her eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.
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“When I visited GOD today and saw how protective they were of Azalea, I felt envious. It reminded me of the camaraderie you shared with your former teammates. Isn’t that kind of team spirit something special!” she mused aloud.
“Bastian, you know I have congenital heart disease. I can’t do much physically, and I didn’t have many friends growing up I’ve played a lot of Glory League, though, and I’m pretty good. I just thought maybe I could join your team and make some friends.”
She paused, biting her lip. “But I was impulsive. The Anexis competition is crucial, and I shouldn’t have put you in this position. I’m sorry. With that, she bowed slightly, apologizing as she turned to leave.
Internally, Sydney counted to three, anticipating his response. As she reached the count, she heard Bastian call out from behind her
JA subtle smile played on her lips.
“It’s okay, it’s just a game. If you really want to, you can join us. But, Sydney, could you just play in the initial match?” Bastian relented in the end.
Despite his reservations, he could not bring himself to deny his sister, whom he had once cherished deeply.
Considering that GOD’s main mid–laner would not be playing, and recognizing that Sydney’s skill level was indeed. professional, Bastian accepted that they might lose the first game. He viewed this as a courtesy to the opponents.
Sydney’s face lit up with joy, and she spun around to embrace Bastian, exclaiming. Thank you, Bastian!”
In that embrace, Bastian could not help but wish it were Azalea instead.
Unseen by him, Sydney’s smile carried a hint of victory.
She had reasoned that Azalea must have gotten close to Wylie through gaming. By demonstrating her prowess on the field. she was sure Wylie would notice her.
Meanwhile, Cassius was restless in the next room, troubled by the day’s events replaying in his mind, disrupting his sleep.
“Cassius! Save me!” The image of a young, tearful Azalea begging for help haunted him.
He had stood by, powerless to act.
Bastian had been correct; he was afraid to confront his past errors. His feelings toward Azalea had evolved from guilt to a deep–seated fear of what her continued presence meant.
Yet, he believed he was not mistreating her. He was trying to make amends.
Overwhelmed, Cassius rubbed his forehead and picked up his phone to review a file he had previously overlooked.
His assistant had diligently noted every detail.
“Ms. Azalea appears to be struggling financially, seeking part–time work extensively, the file read. He had suggested Azalea ask her family for help, but Azalea insisted on keeping her financial troubles private.
“Ms. Azalea is also tutoring classmates part–time for extra income.”
Tutoring?
Cassius’s frown deepened. His assistant had mentioned this before, but he had not taken it seriously, dismissing it as a mere hobby.
He read on….
“Ms. Azalea has been working part–time for the past two months and has managed to save a considerable sum. Apparently, she’s been planning a birthday surprise for you, sir. She’s picked out a luxury tie, quite expensive, perfectly matching your
Chapter 20 Come Home with Me
style.”
A tie, for his birthday?
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Cassius was taken aback. He recalled a night when he caught Azalea hiding something, her expression guilty upon being
sech –..
His assistant had attached a photo of the tie, taken secretly.
Seeing the photo left Cassius stunned, a wave of confusion washing over him. Azalea had bought this tie? How could that be?
He remembered that day vividly…
On his birthday, Sydney had announced she wanted to give him a special gift, claiming she had purchased it with money she earned herself.
However, the gift had mysteriously disappeared.
The family searched everywhere, only to discover a tie, exactly like the one Sydney described, in Azalea’s backpack.
Azalea tearfully insisted she bought it with money from her part–time job, but no one believed she could afford such an item.
Her parents were enraged by her supposed deceit and punished her harshly.
The rest of the family celebrated his birthday with great joy, all except Azalea, who was punished and locked away in a damp. dark basement.
At the time, Cassius did not react much, dismissing Azalea as merely vain and dishonest.
Now, seeing the proof in his assistant’s report…
Cassius took a deep breath. Gifts had never been scarce in his life, but this was the first time someone had remembered his birthday with such thoughtfulness.
He had assumed it was Sydney’s doing at the time.
“Cassius, you’re the best in the world!” Azalea had said once, holding a financial magazine, looking up at him with eyes full of genuine admiration and innocence.
But now…
“Cassius, if you dare to touch me again, I’m cutting all ties with you!
With a loud slam.
Cassin felt his head spin, as though something significant was slipping from his grasp.
He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. His face paled, his eyes clouded with bewilderment. Wasn’t he already trying to make amends?
Setting down his phone, he decided not to dwell on the past. He would inquire about the tie later, and regarding Azalea, he planned to apologize the next time they met.
The following day. Azalea headed to the training base as usual
In the evening, as she left, her usual driver was unavailable. Not wanting to trouble Langdon, she opted to take a taxi home
instead.
Stepping outside the villa complex, she spotted a familiar vehicle.
was Ivy’s red Ferrari
Azalea’s brow furrowed, and then she noticed a middle–aged woman in a custom–made suit stepping out of the car, flanked by two bodyguards.
“Azalea
Chapter 20 Come Home with Me
hy called out to her.
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Azalea did not want to engage, turned, and started to run. Ivy, hindered by her high heels, could not keep up, so she gestured frantically for the bodyguards to chase after her.
Azalea had not run far when a hand clamped down on her shoulder, stopping her. The bodyguards flanked her, treating her like a fugitive.
“Azaleal Why are you running?” Ivy finally caught up, her face red and breathless with exertion.
“If I don’t run, should I wait to be treated like a criminal by you!” Azalea retorted.
Despite the sparseness of the area, a few passersby turned their heads to look
Ivy’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment at Azalea’s sharp words.
She gestured for the bodyguards to let go, but they still remained close, making it clear that escape was not an option for Azalea
Standing her ground. Azalea looked at Ivy with a mix of disdain and curiosity. “Mrs. Lark, you’re an acclaimed international brand designer. What brings you to chase after someone as insignificant as me today?”
The sarcasm in her voice was palpable, and though it irked Ivy, she held back her irritation for the sake of Sydney. “You’re a young woman, why aren’t you at home! Come home with me,” Ivy pleaded, trying to soften her approach.
“Azalea, I know you’re upset. When we get home, I’ll have your brothers apologize to you, okay? We’re family, why all this drama: Come home with Mom, and help Sydney out. You’ll still be my darling.
If Sydney gets expelled by Jubilee, it would be a disgrace. Gossip would ruin her reputation.”
Ivy made her plea and set the conditions.
In the past, such a plea from Ivy would have had Azalea rushing home, even if it meant playing second fiddle to Sydney.
Yet, this time, Azalea just smiled.
Ivy had said plenty, even promised that her sons would apologize, but she never suggested that Sydney should apologize.
In Ivy’s eyes, her sons might have been wrong to slander Azalea without reason. But Sydney? What had Sydney done wrong? She was just too afraid to lose her family’s affection.
