Chapter 24 Slanders Chapter 24 Slanders " By accident , I discovered esports and the game Glory League . It was love at first sight . Though my own playing skills are just average - not enough to go pro - I began to dive deep into game analysis . I studied team strategies and hero strengths each season , and even practiced drafting and ban - picks , all with the hope of someday coaching a team ." Azalea smiled at this . " Well , you won't have to wait much longer , because your chance has come ! " She gave Irene a reassuring pat on the shoulder and added with an carnest look in her eyes , " After school , come with me to the GOD base . Will you join me ? " Irene was momentarily confused by the sudden offer , but her response was quick . Absolutely ! " What do you think ? " Irene's face lit up with excitement , her skin glowing . If Azalea's offer was real , it might just be the break she had dreamed of ! William from the first experimental class was absent today . Taking a leave of absence is usually not a big deal , but for William , the class ' top student who had never missed school , taking leave right after being accused of cheating stirred up plenty of rumors . At that moment , William was anxiously seated in an upscale cafe , nervously holding a coffee cup and watching the girl across from him . " Sydney , do you need to tell me something ? " he asked , Across the table sat Sydney . The thought of being invited out for coffee by the girl he had feelings for made William's heart race . 1 Sydney , meanwhile , was preoccupied with thoughts of how the Larks had arranged for a reliable and strict proxy to help her stay at Jubilee without being expelled . She glanced down , troubled by her dependence on others and her growing resentment toward Azalea for not complying easily . If only Azalea had just obeyed , I wouldn't have to face such humiliation , she thought . As she looked up at William , she managed a forced smile . " I just have some things on my mind and needed to talk to a friend . " The word " friend " instantly caught William's attention , prompting him to reach out and take Sydney's hand . " Sydney , you can tell me anything . I'm here to help ." Sydney smiled softly , gently pulling her hand away . " It's nothing major . I'm just concerned about my sister Azalea leaving the family . Everyone's worried about her being on her own , but somehow I feel like I'm the one who's invisible . " .. Her eyes dimmed with a touch of sadness , eliciting sympathy from William . III O 1/2 Chapter 24 Slanders How could Sydney be so compassionate , even worrying about someone who wronged her ? Sydney had always been skilled at manipulating situations to her advantage , keeping her true intentions- hidden while making others feel they were acting independently . Previously . William had also been manipulated into accusing Azalea of plagiarism . " Azalea doesn't deserve your concern ! " William blurted out , surprising Sydney with his intensity . " The last time I was wrongly accused of plagiarism , someone tried to coerce me into slandering others , but I resisted . " Unbeknownst to William , after he had been attacked and rendered unconscious , Hex had recovered the deleted messages between him and Sydney and handed them over to Hubert . Sydney was taken aback , not expecting such revelations . She felt a secret thrill - Azalea , after leaving the Larks , had apparently walked straight into another disaster . Sydney looked concerned as she spoke , " How could this happen ? Could my sister have been deceived by some man ? " Her words seemed to spark an idea in William's mind . Realizing a potential way to help Sydney , his expression brightened . Catching on to his sudden insight , Sydney quickly added , " I need to go home and inform my parents that Azalea might be in danger ." " Sydney , let me come with you ! I'll explain everything to your family , " William offered eagerly . Together , they hurried back to the Larks ' residence , where only Wesley was present at the time . It was good enough . Without wasting a moment , Sydney led William straight into the study , " Dad , there's something urgent about Azalea I need to discuss . " William , prompted by Sydney , started his tale , dramatically portraying himself as a victim of coercion . In his retelling , Azalea had allegedly fallen into the clutches of a dubious character who had then tried to intimidate him , all to tarnish Sydney's reputation . He deliberately left out the reason behind Azalea's actions , allowing Wesley's imagination to run wild with assumptions . " Why else would she behave this way , if not to undermine Sydney and gain sympathy for herself ? " Wesley surmised , boiling with rage . Enraged by the narrative , Wesley smashed a valuable tea set on the table , the pieces scattering across the richly carpeted floor . O Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!