"That''s more like it." Satisfied with his answer, Miranda finally released him, her excitement bubbling over. "This match is crucial for the Neverfall Navigators. I wonder if Demon will make an appearance."
Hayden sighed in resignation. His own wife idolized another man—a much younger one at that. Unwilling to dwell on it, he tried to change the subject. “I heard Shanley is dating someone. I wonder what kind of girl managed to capture that iceberg''s heart."
"Probably just a rumor," Miranda said, popping a small snack into her mouth and chewing thoughtfully. "Who would even be interested in him? He''s too old, has a terrible temper, and all he ever does is work. Besides a handsome face and a lot of money, he has nothing going for him. Any girl who falls for him must be blind." "I suppose you have a point," Hayden conceded, finding his wife''s logic sound. "Also..." Miranda nced around conspiratorially before lowering her voice. "The inte is full of rumors that he''s gay. For all we know, he just found some girl to y along and throw the reporters off his trail."
The thought sent a sharp pang through Hayden''s heart, but he quicklyposed himself. Well, their son would live his own life. If that didn''t include grandchildren, they would just have to enjoy their own fortune.
"Come on," Miranda said, having long ago made peace with reality. She nced up at the sky. "It''s still early. Let''s go grab a drink at a bar."
The couple had decided to wait until after the WKL finals to return to the family estate. If they went back now, they''d get an earful from their parents and a lecture from their son.
It felt like the world was upside down sometimes. They often wondered who the real parents were in the family.
...
With only one day left until the WKL eSports finals, theputer science students all received their official invitations. Once again, they were for the front row of the VIP section.
Not only that, but in an unprecedented move, the finals would be live-streamed for free.
The operating costs for an event like the WKL eSports tournament were astronomical, and revenue typically came from selling broadcasting rights to televisionworks and online tforms. A free live stream could only mean one thing: the organizers were obscenely wealthy.
As school let out on Friday, Juniper''s phone rang before she even left the campus.
"Juniper, let''s grab a drink," Lue said.
"Now?" Juniper checked the time, hesitating.
Lue''s voice came through again, dripping with sarcasm. "Whipped, are we? Gotta
get permission from the old man to have a single drink?"
“Fine,” Juniper said with a smirk. "Send me the address."
It had been a while since she''d seen Lue. It would be a good chance to ask about
the situation at the base and the status of their other ventures.
A momentter, an address popped up on her phone: a high-end bar in
the center a yground for the
rich that offered every kind of entertainment imaginable.
To avoid worrying Shanley, Juniper sent him a quick text.
Shanley: [Don''t stay out toote. Don''t you have the match tomorrow?] Juniper: [Got it.]
Shanley: [Go have fun.]
Juniper: [.]
With the conversation over, Juniper hailed a cab and headed for the bar.
By seven p.m., the dance floor was a sea of moving bodies, lights shed in a dazzling disy, and the music was deafening.
After getting out of the car, Juniper
pulled on her cap and walked
straight to the private room, her bag
slung over her shoulder. Her tall,
striking figure drew more than a few way.
nces along the
A few minutester, she reached the room and pushed open the door.
“Juniper, over here!" Lue called out. She was lounging on a sofa surrounded by a
few pretty young women, drinking and singing.
"You sang just now, right? Here''s your bonus." Lue grabbed a** handful of cash from the table and
stuffed it into the hands of agirl with short hair.