Hera’s sponsor’s words carried a powerful weight, serving as a potent threat.
The national team’s manager and coach stiffened, exchanging uneasy glances.
They prided themselves on being rational and fair, yet their team was behaving like sore losers.
However, the staggering sum of $1 million lood large, equivalent to what a team mber might earn after several victories in the grand prix.
They found themselves at a loss for words, torn between upholding their principles and the undeniable reality of the situation.
But they squandered it all in a single race, with none of them erging victorious.
Not only was it humiliating, but now they realized that Hera’s sponsor, the only one capable of persuading her to assist them in the upcoming race, was visibly dissatisfied with their behavior. This made their situation even more critical.
Moreover, it was evident that Dave was firmly in Hera’s corner. They realized that even if Hera were at fault, Dave would still support her, leaving them in quite a predicant.
Furthermore, Hera was correct; their team mbers had eagerly accepted the bet, believing that they had the best chance of winning. After all, they prided themselves on being the top racers in the country.
They were selected and trained by the finest coach in the country, and while Dave was a special case who could surpass them, now they were up against the legendary Phantom, a na recognized and revered worldwide.
At that mont, they were the ones seeking a favor. With a resigned sigh, the national team’s manager cast a disapproving glance at his team.
"Sha on you! When you thought you had a chance to win millions, you were blinded by the allure of that prize money and acted on impulse. But now that you’ve lost, you want to back out?! What, do you want to have your cake and eat it too?" His furious voice echoed, leaving the team mbers in stunned silence, their heads bowed in sha.
But Milly refused to back down. "But manager! That money belongs to us! And why are you siding with an outsider?!"
"Shut up! If there’s an outsider here, it’s you! Don’t be so arrogant just because we’ve treated you well as my Ace’s sister!" He didn’t hold back, putting Milly firmly in her place.
Previously, they had overlooked her spoiled and haughty deanor, but as he pointed out, it was because she was their Ace’s sister, and her attitude hadn’t affected them until now.
But now, because of her, they risk losing the opportunity for Hera to represent them, jeopardizing their chances to clinch championships against other countries and potentially secure back-to-back victories wherever they compete.
All countries could only dream of such lofty ambitions, but with Hera on their side, it felt attainable. Would he really sacrifice a golden opportunity for an arrogant brat?
"Michael, you need to keep your sister on a short leash. We extended our olive branch to her because we recognized her efforts to improve in racing and wanted her to join the team. It’s a way of respecting you, considering you personally trained her."
"But watching her act so haughtily and behave like a shrew in front of the Young Minister is truly degrading our team’s reputation. As your sister, she should be putting forth her best behavior to avoid embarrassing you, especially in front of the other teams."
"Moreover, your coach and I were planning to request Miss Hera’s assistance in representing us at the international Grand Prix. Why must your sister antagonize her?"
"Represent us? At the international Grand Prix? What’s happening?" Michael nearly missed the rest of the manager’s words, his mind zeroing in on the ntion of representing their team on the global stage.
It felt like he was putting in all the effort nationally only for soone else to take the spotlight, leaving him with nothing but the crumbs.
A buzzing sensation filled his head, and his thoughts seed to fade into a blur, leaving an unsettling pit in his stomach.
Noticing the disapproval etched on Michael’s face, the manager quickly readjusted his words. "While I ntioned her representing us, the reality is that our lineup will remain unchanged; we’ll simply be adding Miss Hera into the mix. This approach will significantly boost our chances of clinching multiple podium finishes." He spoke with an air of nonchalance, as if the trophy were already in their grasp.
"And why is that?" The only words Michael managed to utter as the buzzing in his head intensified.
"Because she’s Phantom, of course," the coach replied casually.
"What?!" The entire team erupted in disbelief, their voices rising in unison.
"Do you really expect us to buy into this nonsense? She’s clearly trying to use Phantom’s na to manipulate us!" Michael shouted, his anger flaring as if soone had struck a nerve.
He idolized Phantom and believed that not just anyone could exploit the na for personal gain or to bask in the lilight. To him, Hera’s attempts to gain popularity through this thod seed shallow and opportunistic.
"I completely disagree with this!" he said through gritted teeth.
"It’s not your decision to make," the manager retorted.
"If we have to humble ourselves to get her on board, then that’s exactly what we’ll do!" His eagerness to enlist Hera’s help was palpable.
"If she goes, then I’m out of here!!!" Michael declared. The mont Milly heard him, she felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. But then she rembered that her brother was the team’s ace, and she shared his sentints.
Gradually, her nervousness subsided, and she shot a smug glance at Hera, positioning herself closer to Michael to show her support.
Everyone held their breath when they heard Michael threaten to quit the team over Hera.
His teammates rallied around him, their solidarity evident. The ssage was clear: if Michael left, they would follow suit, showcasing their tight-knit bond and unwavering loyalty to their team.
While the national team was caught up in their dramatic standoff, the group of young masters nearby shared an equally stunned reaction to the revelation that Hera was Phantom.
They exchanged bewildered glances, turning their heads toward the sickly guy and Hera’s sponsor, silently inquiring what they had missed.
After all, they had been the last to arrive, left in the dust by everyone else at the racetrack.
Hera’s sponsor nodded in acknowledgnt, while the sickly guy pulled out his phone, tapping a few tis until he accessed his library.
He then shared a recorded video of the race he had saved as a nto, showcasing the thrilling monts they had missed.
He showed the video to their friends, and the other young masters huddled together, watching intently while the drama on the other side unfolded.
Hera, however, appeared detached, as if she wasn’t the main topic of discussion. anwhile, Dave looked at her with a sparkle in his eyes, gently holding her hand.
"Whatever you decide, I’ll support you," Dave whispered in Hera’s ear, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips.
He fully believed that Hera was Phantom. After all, if Michael couldn’t defeat Dave, the only person he could imagine besting him was the elusive and enigmatic Phantom.
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