Chapter 3

Katie's POV

The entire room erupted, then fell into a prolonged silence. Those scorching gazes felt like they could bore holes right through me, and as George started to say something, I glared at him viciously, as if I would devour him the moment he opened his mouth.

The day had already been embarrassing enough—I didn't mind going a little crazier.

I must have been too easygoing all this time, which made these people so unbridled, especially Terry, who exploited my devotion—that complete and utter fraud.

Don't cry! Whatever you do, don't cry! I forced my eyes wide open, pushing back the tears that were about to fall. Katie, you're amazing, don't cry! At least not in front of them.

Lily put away her demure smile, pursing her lips. She probably expected me to cry, to cling desperately, to endure all of this for the sake of Terry's reputation. She probably even thought I'd beg Terry to get back together.

Clearly, she hadn't anticipated that I would curse them out so bluntly, recounting every detail of my time with Terry, nailing both of them to the pillar of shame.

In front of Terry, I had always been the shadow running behind him. I agreed to keep our relationship secret for the sake of his career—that was indeed my mistake, and it gave Terry and Lily the opening they needed.

I cared about Terry's tennis career even more than he did. I wanted fans to focus on his technique and achievements, not on romantic gossip.

And now I had destroyed it all with my own hands—destroyed the celebration party I had personally arranged, destroyed the tennis rising star I had pinned my hopes on, personally smeared Terry with scandal.

Lily looked at Terry, and I looked at Terry too, waiting for his explanation.

Terry gave two dry laughs. The brilliant starlight that once filled his blue pupils had long since shattered, replaced by panic and even an incredulous resentment.

He actually resented me? Wasn't everything I said the truth?

Terry gripped the microphone tightly, his fingers turning white from the excessive force. "We're just high school classmates. Katie tutored me in subjects I was behind in before college applications. I think Katie misunderstood."

Classmates? Misunderstood? He was actually denying the facts. Was this still the Terry I knew? He didn't even say sorry, completely negating everything from the past. When did he become such a hypocrite who distorted the truth?

He once excitedly hugged me and said that my analysis of opponents was more detailed and accurate than even the coach's. Running his fan accounts, those highlight video edits—I spent countless nights adjusting various filters before posting them online.

And he denied it all.

I laughed bitterly. How could I expect a cheating scumbag, a scumbag who humiliated me alongside his mistress, to give me the credit I deserved?

The surrounding chatter grew louder, with George's voice the loudest: "You really are a shameless person with dirty thoughts."

"That's not how it is." My defense was drowned out by the denunciations. They completely believed Terry's words. At this moment, I was a complete and utter liar, fabricating my past with Terry, everything just me overreaching to touch a star that didn't belong to my circle.

Defending myself or throwing a tantrum would be useless. Terry had already abandoned me—clinging desperately would only embarrass me further.

George jumped around like a clown, demeaning me from head to toe until I was worthless. "Someone as thick-skinned as you isn't welcome here. Don't pollute the air."

I really couldn't stay any longer. I was afraid I'd jump up and slap George, afraid I couldn't resist tearing into Lily and Terry like a lovesick lunatic. That wouldn't be elegant at all, and they didn't deserve to make me lose control like that.

Just as I was preparing to leave, Lily suddenly spoke up. "Coach Garcia, is Katie still suitable for the tennis team data analyst position in this state? After all, we need to prepare for the league matches."

She was actually questioning my professionalism. I really wanted to tear Lily apart! Truly, if she said one more word, I wouldn't care about being elegant anymore.

Fortunately, Coach Garcia was fairly upright. Yesterday I had reorganized all the tennis team athletes' data, plus data on the main players from each league team. He praised my thorough preparation and even said he would write a recommendation letter.

Garcia remained silent for a moment and didn't reject Lily's words.

Was Garcia also backing down because Lily was the school board member's daughter? God, please don't let it be so—I didn't want to fail in both romance and career.

"I will consider this matter. If Katie cannot competently fulfill this internship position, I will make a recommendation to the school's athletics department."

I looked at the coach in dismay. At this moment, I was even more panicked than when Terry announced his girlfriend wasn't me. Before I met Terry, I was just a tennis enthusiast. Because of Terry, I truly came to understand tennis, to understand the sports industry, and established the goal I would strive for.

Joining the school athletics department was the beginning of my career. I couldn't allow anyone to destroy it.

Unexpectedly, George, who had been demeaning me all along, actually acknowledged my professionalism. "If Katie doesn't covet Terry and doesn't use her position for personal revenge, her data is still trustworthy." George's words were met with agreement from more tennis team members.

My eyes reddened. Fine, I forgave George for his earlier rudeness. I could endure whatever harsh words he said.

Lily's expression darkened, and George immediately changed his tune. "Of course, given Katie's shameless and despicable nature, she will definitely use her position for personal revenge."

George was the shameless one. I took back what I just said.

Lily looked at Garcia again, seemingly pressuring him to make an immediate decision.

No, I had to do something for myself. I couldn't just let Lily casually decide my professional future.

Suddenly, a yellow-green ball flew past Terry's ear at over 200 kilometers per hour. My heart raced along with it—just a little closer and it would have hit Terry's face. The ball finally hit the champagne tower behind him with a bang, shattering everything.

Perfect shot! Wonderful! I declared this tennis ball my lucky ball. Now Garcia didn't have to make an immediate decision, and the tennis team would have to find the culprit who disrupted the celebration.

"Sorry, this doesn't seem lively enough. School board relative status can't be used to arbitrarily push out athletics department interns. I will submit a written complaint to the NCAA Sports Oversight Committee." A boy in a black hoodie emerged from the side door of the conference room, waving his racket, his amber eyes sweeping over everyone.

Percy? What was he doing here? He hit that ball!

Worthy of being the former tennis prodigy—he'd been retired for three years and could still hit with such precision and speed.

Wait, what did he just say? Who was he going to complain about?

Percy drew closer and closer, and I couldn't take my eyes off him—the former US Open Junior champion.

The champion was right beside me. I wanted to scream!

Would asking for an autograph be inappropriate right now?