Chapter 3

The team leader nodded, agreeing quickly.

He was about to call the organizers when Alex Thorne, captain of the opposing team, somehow appeared.

"I'll handle it. I've worked with the organizers here before."

"The venue's security is usually mediocre. I'll ask them to send some bodyguards instead."

I glanced at Alex's steady face and nodded.

"Thanks, brother."

Alex smiled.

"No problem. K, play well."

"I've been looking forward to this match against you for a long time."

To the roar of applause in the arena, my teammates and I entered. Sure enough, my eyes scanned the VIP section and immediately found Julian Blackwood.

His gaze was glued to me the moment I appeared.

It annoyed me.

I took a deep breath and pulled my mask up a little higher.

As the host announced the official start of the match, muscle memory made me forget Julian entirely. The clicking of keyboards and mice filled my ears as we battled through five grueling rounds.

In a critical moment of the final round, I launched an offensive, taking down Alex.

We secured the victory for the fifth round.

3:2.

This life, I finally achieved my dream and lifted the championship trophy.

The cheers and screams of the fans nearly brought the house down. Even Julian, sitting in the audience, stood up excitedly, applauding and shouting for me.

Julian, as a representative of the investors, was also invited onto the stage to present the awards.

With his expensive suit, polished red-soled shoes, and dark hair falling over his eyes, he looked every bit the charming young gentleman. When he smiled, his eyes crinkled with warmth.

No wonder many girls in the audience, while watching the match, had their attention drawn to him instead.

With those looks, he could've been a male escort, easily.

No wonder I fell for him.

Backstage, his intense gaze was fixed on me, and his body language suggested he wanted to come up on stage next to me.

When our eyes met, Julian's face was filled with surprise.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to speak to me,

I rolled my eyes at him dismissively, openly and without hesitation.

Then I grabbed Liam, my teammate, pulling him between us:

"Liam, stand here."

Julian paused, taken aback.

Then he smiled even more brightly.

On stage, he seemed to want to bypass the designated award presenter and personally hand me the medal. But seeing him approach me with that confident, smiling swagger, I just felt sick.

I stepped forward quickly.

The medal was already around my neck.

Julian missed his chance.

But there was no trace of anger on his face; instead, he let out a laugh.

He looked at me with an amused expression, whispering,

"Interesting, indeed."

I wanted to puke.

Interesting?

That bastard would only be interesting when he was six feet under.

After the award ceremony, I packed my things, ready for the celebration party. But on the way to the parking garage, Julian blocked my path.

I glanced at him.

Then walked around him, straight ahead.

Suddenly, Julian's excited voice came from behind me:

"Serena Hayes, I like you!"

My steps faltered.

I turned back to him, confused.

Julian, however, spoke with even more enthusiasm:

"You're the most special girl I've ever met—fierce, bright, unrestrained. This life, I don't want to miss you again."

"Serena Hayes, be with me!"

I raised an eyebrow, finally understanding.

Julian had been reborn too.

And this time, he'd mistakenly identified me as Serena.