Chapter 8 Refuse to Join the Team
Just when Lily thought she couldn't take it anymore, Sophie finally showed up.
Sophie rushed over, out of breath. "Sorry, I got caught up talking game strategies with Austin and the crew. Lost track of time."
Peter, always the calm one, shrugged. "It's cool. You're doing something for the family. Don't blame yourself."
The driver chimed in kindly, "No worries, I'll step on it."
But despite the effort, they were still late.
The two of them hurried to the classroom door, only to be intercepted by their teacher, Alex Taylor.
Sophie, looking pale and winded, said, "I'm really sorry, Mr. Taylor. It's my fault for losing track of time and making Lily late."
Lily kept a straight face, staying silent.
Alex looked at them and said to Sophie kindly, "I get it. No need to explain more. Just head inside."
"Thanks, Mr. Taylor."
Lily followed Sophie inside, but Alex's stern voice stopped her. "Lily, don't drag Sophie down again. This is your last warning!"
Lily turned back. "Mr. Taylor, Sophie already explained it was her fault I was late."
"Enough! I know your usual behavior. One more word and you'll be standing outside for the class."
Lily didn't want to miss the lesson; she was already behind.
She walked into the classroom quietly, feeling down.
She wished the exams would come sooner so she could get away from all of them.
During the lunch break...
Sophie was surrounded by people, chatting about her experiences with the professional gaming team, making everyone envious.
Seraphine glanced at Lily and said, "Lily is probably jealous of Sophie and made her late on purpose."
Sophie smiled but didn't bother to clarify.
Lily lay on her desk, resting, ignoring them all.
After school, Sophie boasted to Lily, "I'm heading to the training camp today."
Lily quietly packed her books and left the classroom with her backpack.
Sophie watched Lily's retreating figure with a smug look.
She turned to Seraphine, "Same as always, cover for me with the homework. Make sure the teacher doesn't catch on."
"Go chase your dreams at the training camp. We've got your back."
"Thanks, I'll make sure to repay you guys."
Sophie left, feeling pleased.
She was determined to outshine Lily and prove she was the most deserving sister in the Roberts family.
Lily headed straight to the nurse's office.
Dennis was sitting there, his gentle face showing a hint of amusement. "What do you need?"
"I need a place to do my homework. Can I stay here?"
Lily walked in confidently, as long as he didn't kick her out.
Dennis watched her, surprised. He had thought she was too timid to come.
But when she asked Dennis questions, he scolded her.
"Can your brain stop being a sieve? How much goes in just leaks out? Don't ask simple questions. Solve them yourself."
Lily didn't argue; she just took notes diligently.
The room was quiet, and her stomach started growling.
Lily blushed deeply.
She had eaten a piece of bread earlier, but she was still hungry.
Dennis glanced at the time and ordered takeout. "Eat first."
Lily sat across from him, noticing the scars on his wrist, and couldn't help asking, "When did you have your accident? Was it serious?"
Dennis silently opened the takeout box and set it on the table.
He looked at Lily, his eyes misty, and said, "It was many years ago."
"Me too. My parents died in a car accident, leaving me and my brothers to rely on each other."
Lily thought of her past dependence on her brothers, her eyes showing a hint of self-mockery.
After their parents died, she and her brothers had a tough time, but their relationship was strong.
Everything changed when Sophie arrived.
Dennis gripped his utensils tightly. "What are your plans now?"
"I'm planning to apply to Quest University, leave this city, and start fresh."
"That's ambitious. With your current grades, getting into Quest University is a long shot."
"I've got time. I'll work hard!"
Dennis looked at her, then lowered his eyes, his voice cold, "Don't ask simple questions again!"
Lily smiled. Did that mean she could keep asking questions?
For several days, Lily stayed in the nurse's office after school, diligently working on her homework.
Meanwhile, Sophie was distracted in class due to her game training, even dozing off occasionally.
Of course, as a favored student, Sophie just claimed she wasn't feeling well, and the teacher didn't press further.
Lily saw Sophie showing off photos from the training camp on Feed and videos of her playing games with her brothers, their game names matching.
It reminded her of her past life, except she wasn't involved.
"Not focusing on homework, but wanting to play games?"
Dennis approached and saw the game videos on her phone.
Lily shook her head, "No, just browsing. My priority is studying now."
"Next week's exam, if you rank in the top 10% of your class, I'll allow you to play games."
Lily looked up, smiling, "Will you play with me then?"
She knew Dennis played the game too.
Dennis lowered his eyes, his side profile still handsome.
He said, "I haven't played in a while. We'll see if you rank high."
"Deal!"
Lily watched Dennis's back.
She had to rank in the top 10% to impress him. She was good at the game in her past life.
Maybe she could surprise Dennis in the game and regain some of her self-esteem.
Lily suddenly felt hopeful.
She finished her homework and went home. But when she entered the hall, she saw Michael sitting on the sofa.
Her heart sank. Why was he home early?
Her brothers had been at the training camp, usually coming home late.
Michael looked up, his tone serious, "Where were you? Why are you home so late?"
Lily's heart raced. She couldn't let them find out she was doing homework in the nurse's office.
She didn't want her last bit of peace taken away.
She looked down, "I went to a study room outside. There are more people there, and it's better for studying."
"Give me your backpack."
Lily handed it over, watching Michael flip through her homework. He saw her detailed notes and corrections.
Michael looked skeptical.
The butler had reported that Lily hadn't been coming home on time, and he was curious where she had been.
He hadn't expected her to be studying.
Michael put the backpack down. "Lily, let's talk."
"Michael, what do you want to talk about?"
Michael saw the quiet Lily in front of him, feeling she had changed a lot, but couldn't pinpoint what was different.
If it were before, Lily would have cried and complained.
But now, she said nothing.
It felt like Lily was becoming harder to control.
Michael said, "Sophie has been improving quickly. If you join the training, you can improve too. You have talent. Spending some time at the camp won't affect your studies. Our family should stick together. David will be happy to see us united."
Lily looked down, her eyes mocking.
She firmly replied, "I don't want to join the team."
"Lily, Sophie is part of our family, and so are you. We need to support each other, not exclude her. Her father saved your life!"
Michael didn't understand why Lily couldn't see the opportunities he was giving her.
They treated Sophie well to repay her father.
The hall was quiet, the tense atmosphere making it hard for Lily to breathe.
She clenched her fists, barely holding on.
Screw this!
Lily said mockingly, "Michael, do you want me to give my life to Sophie to make you happy?"