Lemira caught the oue of the match and wasn''t the least bit surprised. It''s bound to happen.


    Had ric not insisted on Evelina being his gunner and perhaps brought in another top-notch yer, they might not have faced such a humiliating defeat. Maybe they wouldn''t have lost at all. But ric had to put Evelina in the game, was it to prove that Evelina alone was enough?


    Looked like ric hadn''t changed one bit. Huh, Lemira cracked a smile, just wondering whether ric was actually satisfied with this oue.


    Well, she certainly was.


    Back in the previous life, she had worked her fingers to the bone to secure the championship for her team, only to be reced by Evelina at thest minute, who then clinched the title.


    This time, she had stepped down from thepetition herself, only to witness ric''s defeat.


    ric, up on the stage, didn''t look too pleased and made a beeline for the exit.


    The victorious team was being interviewed by reporters, and their captain nced down at Lemira, "This match was a breeze, honestly. We had braced ourselves, thinking we might get knocked out. Never imagined Lemira would sit this one out and hand us the win on a silver tter."


    If Lemira had been in the game, with her ability to pull off a twelve-hitbo, their victory was far from certain.


    Lemira, sipping on her soda, was handed a microphone by a reporter, "Ms. Langston, any thoughts on today''s game?"


    "Inpetitions, you win some, you lose some. But I believe the ultimate champion will definitely bring glory to our country," Lemira offered the cliché.


    Standing up, she nced at Jessica, "I''ve got to go."N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Lucian watched Lemira''s retreating figure before heading to the locker room, where he found ric in the midst of a tirade.


    Evelina was getting an earful and felt utterly wronged. She had performed as well as she could, but the team just wasn''t up to par.


    ric walked over, "Everyone''s put in a good effort. Let''s get in the car."


    As the rest of the team dispersed, Evelina wiped away her tears, "Lucian, I really did try."


    "I know, you should head back with them."


    Evelina, having no desire to linger, got up and left.


    ric vented in frustration, "Lucian, do you think Evelina really tried? Her performance wasn''t even a tent of


    Lemia''s. And to think I put my faith


    in her!"


    "It''s not Eve''s fault. You knew her level and still chose her for thepetition. You were trying to spite Lemmy, and it backfired."


    ric felt incredibly stifled,


    admitting to himself that provoking


    Lemira had been part of his n, but


    he hadn''t anticipated Evelina''s


    dismal showing.


    He had thought Evelina would at least show some improvement. But there was none!


    "ric, Eve did her best. You can''t me her. It''s on you for driving Lemmy away, not anyone else."


    ric slumped into a chair,


    dispirited, "I just couldn''t ept Lemira''s drastic changes, been always thinking she was merely throwing tantrums."


    "I''ve reminded you long ago, it''s you who didn''t believe that. Think about it clearly yourself now." Lucian felt he''d expressed what he should. ric sat in the chair, covering his face, his emotions in turmoil. He was finallying to terms with how life without Lemira seemed tock something.


    After leaving the venue, Lemira found herself surrounded by fans but managed to catch a cab and escape. Back in her apartment, she finally rxed.


    Thaddeus was lounging on the couch, "Sweet Lemon, did today''s game feel good to watch?"