Chapter 139 A THREAT

Chapter 139 A THREAT
DANTE'S POV

Max's breathing catches but I continue speaking.
“It's not because you're sick or because you're poor.”

I take one step closer to him, “None of it gives you the right to play a deity and destroy someone's life.”

Max glares at me.
“You think you’re better than me?”

“No.”

I smile in response.
“I just think I’m more dangerous than you.”

That shuts him up completely.

“You love to complain about how life's unfair to you and how it favors rich people? Fine. I don't care anymore.”

“You want to hate me because I have money? Go on right ahead.”

He moves to say something, but I cut him short.

“But do you know how I got to this point in life where I can viciously protect what belongs to me?”

His eyes flicker with emotion.

“I wasn’t responsible for being born into my family, sure. But I sure as hell am responsible for protecting everything my mother and her ancestors built with their life's blood.”

“My father isn't rich, but married into it.” I laugh without any humor. “Maybe you should try that too.”

“Find yourself a rich woman, there sure are plenty here in this school.” I gesture around.

“Maybe you’ll be happier.”

His face twists with anger.

“Or maybe you’ll become just as bitter as my father is, pathetically still fighting me for a school he has no interest in.”

I push him backwards, as he stumbles, before catching himself.

I sigh and straighten my shirt, before turning back to look at him.

“You have no advantage over me, instead I hold a secret against you.”

His face goes blank.

“You’re dying even though everyone believes you’re healthy.”

I smile at him even as he pales with fear.

“Imagine what happens when that changes if I say something. Imagine the headlines.”

His lips part with fear.

I speak softly just enough that only he can hear me.

“King University star collapses during crucial season.”

I use my hand to illustrate the imagination of an illustrious post.

“Cancer diagnosis kept secret from university.”

“Stubborn player refuses treatment despite medical warnings.”

“A young basketball star's career ends in tragedy.”

His eyes widen with fear, but I don't stop there.
If I don't drive the threat clear, he just won't stop.

“I wouldn’t even have to lie or do anything to you. Your dumb choices are already doing most of the work for me.”

He looks petrified, making me nod with happiness. Good.

“You already have the disease, and you're struggling even with medications. You're foolishly gambling your own life”

I lower my voice to a chilling decibel.

“Do you really think it actually would be difficult for someone like me to make your situation much worse than it already is?”

He shakes his head slowly with trepidation, making me smile.

“Good. Then listen carefully Max. Stay far away from Micah. Stop trying to sabotage us, and if you ever threaten him again…”

I step back and hold his gaze for four seconds.

“I will end you.”

The hallway instantly falls silent as I really look at Max thoroughly.
For the first time since I've seen Max, he doesn't look like my rival at all.

He looks like someone who just discovered that they made a terrible decision.

I leave him right there, and walk away without sparing him another glance.

This should be enough to silence him for good, and leave both Micah and I in peace.

My phone vibrates right there in my pocket, and the name on it makes me scowl.

Peters King.

I wait until the ringing is about to end, then I answer it, already knowing this will not be a pleasant conversation.

“We need to speak,” my father says, offering no greeting.
“The car is waiting outside the athletic complex, be here in five minutes.”

When I say nothing, he just chuckles, “Or do you want me to come find you in your precious school.”

I end the call when he's still laughing.

The black car is waiting exactly where he said it would be fifteen minutes later, as I calmly slide right into the back seat.

The door closes with a muffled thud, as I look at the man sitting right across me with a scowl.

My father, a detestable carbon lookalike of me sits right across me with a folder resting right on his knee.

“You’ve been distracted, Dante” he begins in a singsong tone. “The team’s discipline is slipping up, there are rumors to the left, videos and photos to the right. All of these are attracting unnecessary noise, and are making the board worried.”

“I’m handling it.”

“Are you?” His eyes are cold, and assessing me like a cruel viper waiting for the time to strike.

“Because from where I’m sitting, you are allowing a transfer student with rumors to compromise, and possibly ruin everything your mother built. The clause in her will is absolutely clear. If you reach the League, the university remains under your control in the way she intended. You fail, and control automatically comes to me.”

Wouldn't you just love that?
I meet his stare blankly. “Micah is not a liability.”

“He is a distraction, and that becomes a liability. And liabilities get you removed.” He opens the folder just enough for me to see medical notes of a person, and financial summaries he should definitely not possess in his hands.

“I offered a teammate of yours, Max, a viable path. He certainly has the motivation for it. Sadly, he is still just a fool.”

On that, we both agree I guess.

The temperature in the car seems to drop as I say nothing but just stare at him.

“Stay away from my team,” I say quietly. “I will not repeat myself. If you move against my teammates, I will make the board clause the least of your problems, Peters.”

He smiles without any warmth in it.
“There it is! The very son your mother used to brag about. The ruthless boy the King's family loves.”

He says with spite.

“Your tournament is coming very soon. Don't let sentiment and stupid emotions cloud your vision, or else I take this university from you.”