Chapter 9 Turning the Tables $ 10 Fres Coins Hubert's car wasn't flashy a Mercedes - but in Grey Hollow , even that was enough to turn heads . Azalea got in first , and now , to get out , she'd either have to squeeze toward the traffic side of the road or ask Hubert to move . Just about to speak , she hesitated when Hubert pushed open the door and stepped out of the car himself . " Thank you , Mr. Lennox," Azalea said politely , ready to leave . " Your phone . " " Huh ? " Azalea blinked at him in confusion . Hubert gave a soft chuckle . " Weren't we going to exchange contact info ? " Azalea quickly pulled out her phone and handed it over . Hubert didn't hold back - he saved his number and even added her to WhatsApp while he was there . Once she had her phone back , Azalea jogged into the gaming café . The bodyguard in the driver's seat asked , " Mr. Lennox , are we heading back to Crestmere Estate or Ashbourne Villa ? " Hubert leaned back in his seat . " Park somewhere with a view of the café entrance . The view here's not bad . We'll leave later . " The bodyguard was stunned . Not bad ? That wasn't just a lie - that was a bold - faced bluff . The street was chaotic and cramped , filled with a weird , sour smell . Every few steps , some kind of mysterious liquid pooled on the pavement . The two bodyguards exchanged looks . Mr. Lennox worries about the girl walking home alone at night , right ? Has to be . Think he's really interested in her ? Doesn't she look like that orphan he sponsored years ago ? She's from the Larks , though . Doesn't match up . Silence . In the back seat , Hubert had no idea his subordinates were spinning wild theories . His sharp gaze was fixed outside the car window , brows furrowed . This place was no environment for a young girl living on her own. Still , he had no plans to just hand her an apartment - securing her safety would be enough . He believed she'd figure out her own living situation soon enough . O 1/5 Chapter 9 Turning the Tables Inside the gaming café . The moment Azalea walked in , heads turned . Most of the regulars here recognized her . 49 % +10 Free Coins She went straight to the counter , got her usual computer , and logged into the game with practiced ease . She was a bit late , but the peak match window was still open - she could squeeze in a few games . Tonight , luck was on her side - matchmaking was fast . " Why'd you pick Seraphina as Siren ? That hero got nerfed hard . She's barely playable now . " The yellow- haired guy named Morgan beside her leaned over to watch , his eyebrows shooting up when he saw her shockingly high - ranked score . When she locked in the Siren , he couldn't help muttering . Azalea glanced at him sideways . " That's your Siren . " Morgan snorted . He couldn't wait to see what this young girl was really made of . The game started . In peak matches , you couldn't see the usernames of your teammates or opponents . But Azalea's eyes locked on the enemy jungler . Something told her - it was Wylie . No real reason . Just pure instinct . She wasn't born a gaming genius , but she had a sharp mind for numbers . In her past life , Bastian's team had hit a major slump . Trying to help him , she memorized the respawn timers for every jungle monster in Glory League , every cooldown for every skill , and the numerical buffs for every item in the game . That gave her a huge edge - she could calculate enemy cooldown windows to the second . In her eyes , as long as they were in vision , every enemy hero was practically see - through . She thought about the matches she'd played back then to support Bastian's team - and couldn't help but let out a cold laugh . Back then , she'd proven herself by stepping up . Sydney warned her that girls in esports would be bashed constantly , discouraging her from going public . And she had been such a fool - instantly volunteering to wear a cap and mask on stage just to keep a low profile . She had played for years and carried Bastian's team to unprecedented glory . And when Sydney said she wanted to experience the excitement of the esports stage , too , Azalea had to give up her own account . Sydney wasn't bad - decent enough for a pro team - but she took Azalea's handle , her identity , and all the fame of being the only female pro . And Bastian let her . He even had the nerve to try and convince Azalea , saying , ' You're good enough to start over with a new account . Let Sydney have her moment . Let her ? ||| O < 2/5 14:50 Sat , 9 Aug Chapter 9 Turning the Tables +10 Free Coins The game's opening sound snapped Azalea back to reality . She let out a slow breath . This time around- nothing that belonged to her would be given up . She focused on the screen in front of her . The game was intense . The playstyle of the enemy jungler confirmed it - this was definitely Wylie . Morgan gaped beside her . " Wait - how the hell did you predict that ?! " Right as the Siren on screen , hanging on by a sliver of health , twisted her steps to narrowly dodge a lethal ability - a semi - lock - on skill , no less . Azalea smirked . The enemy's skills were off cooldown now . She wouldn't hesitate to dive in for the kill if she were them . " But it's a shame . Your other four teammates are all dead , and your wave's in a bad spot . Game over ," Morgan muttered . " Not necessarily , " Azalea said , hands flying across the keyboard as she restored her Siren's health . The enemy team pushed up onto the high ground . Azalea's Siren stepped out of the base . " No way ! " Morgan practically leaped out of his chair . If he hadn't been watching her screen , he would've thought she was cheating . Her Siren activated her ultimate - a blossom - filled dance field - and what looked like aimless dodging was , in fact , flawless evasion . Every second skill was used to its maximum potential . She dodged every single enemy ability and exploited their cooldown windows . Penta kill ! The pentakill animation lit up across the screen . Her teammates respawned . A quick counterattack . Game over . Exactly 30 minutes . The game's results page loaded . " Wait , that's Dog God ! " Morgan pointed at the enemy jungler's ID : GOD.Cerberus . The pro tag was a dead giveaway . Just as she exited the match , a red dot popped up in Azalea's friend requests . It was no surprise that it was from Wylie . GOD.Cerberus : Interested in going pro ? Phoenix : Add me , and we'll talk . Azalea sent her WhatsApp and logged off . Mission accomplished for the day . 315 O Chapter 9 Turning the Tables Morgan stared at her like she'd just descended from heaven . Then , without warning , he lunged and grabbed her leg . " Hey , please take me with you ! " Azalea's face went deadpan " No " She went straight to the desk , logged out of her station , and left . Outside , the streetlights flickered . Summer nights turned dark fast ; unfortunately , the path home took her through a pitch - black alley . She hunched her shoulders and sped up . Two thugs squatting by the roadside exchanged looks and stepped in her way . " Hey , little gamer girl . We've been watching you for days . You're really good at games , huh ? " " Heading home already ? Why not come play with us for a bit too ? " Their greasy grins spread as one reached toward her . Azalea wasn't surprised . Grey Hollow was chaotic - being targeted as a lone girl was expected . Her eyes sharpened . Without a word , her hand reached toward the side pocket of her backpack - where she kept a fruit knife . But before she could move , a cold hand grabbed hers . " Not tonight ," a deep voice said calmly . " My girl needs to get home and sleep ." She turned her head . Hubert . He hadn't left ? He stood a full head taller than her - close to just under 6'3 " . Just standing beside him felt reassuring . Azalea's nose stung . She was so used to handling everything on her own that she didn't expect anyone to step up and protect her . His hand was cold , but the skin where he touched her burned like fire . The two thugs hesitated . This guy clearly wasn't someone to mess with - especially with the luxury watch peeking out from under his sleeve . Even they , who were ignorant , could tell that it was valuable . Before they could decide whether to back off , Hubert's two bodyguards flanked them from behind and made the choice for them . " It's not safe for a young girl to stay outside alone at night ." The police came quickly and hauled the men away . Hubert let go and took a step back , giving her some space . " You didn't leave yet ? " Azalea asked . O 4/5 Chapter 9 Turning the Tables Thibert looked down at her . Just passing by ." The bodyguards nearly choked . Passing by ! Mr. Lenner , what road are we on that goes through here ?! If you care , just admit it . You literally stood in the night wind for 30 minutes ! Azalea clearly didn't buy it either . She glanced at his car , parked discreetly in a corner , but didn't call him After the wave of emotion passed , her mind sharpened again . Why was Hubert helping her like this ? What did she have that was worth all this effort ? She couldn't figure it out . Azalea stepped back a bit more . " Thanks again for helping me . Next time you're free , let me treat you to dinner . " Sure , " Hubert agreed . " Then I'll get going ." She headed toward her rental place , walking faster and faster . Behind her , a steady beam of light followed - never too far or close . It didn't vanish until she made it through the dark alley . ||| Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!