The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 60: The League Begins

Ella looked up with tear-filled eyes, desperately seeking help. "It hurts so much. Sir, can you help me up?"

Ryan was taken aback by the sudden appearance of this woman in front of him. He was about to lend a hand when he recognized her face.

It was the same woman he'd encountered twice before, each time showing nothing but disdain for him.

At first, he didn't remember her from their initial meeting, but the second time at Victoria's shop, while munching on dessert and watching the drama unfold, her face stuck with him.

Ryan snorted, pulled back his hand, and walked right past her into the internet cafe.

Ella's face turned a deep shade of red.

She thought, 'Damn it! This beggar-looking guy is actually Ryan! A computer whiz dressed like a hobo. What a nutcase, and he's holding a grudge against me. So petty!'

Bodhi tried to hide his smirk, thinking, 'Ella totally deserves this for her crappy attitude.'

But he still asked, trying to be helpful, "Ms. Scott, do you need a hand?"

Ella shot him a glare, "Help me up!"

She stood up, wincing and rubbing her bruised knee. It wasn't broken, but it hurt like hell.

Ryan was already settled in his usual spot.

Ella wasn't ready to give up. She walked over to Ryan's table and leaned in, speaking softly, "Sir, we might have had some misunderstandings before."

Ryan gave her a cold look. He wasn't much of a talker, but he wasn't dumb either.

She continued, "Last time at the dessert shop, I didn't mean to look down on you. Victoria misled me, and I said the wrong thing. I hope you can give me a chance to apologize. I'm usually very kind."

"Whether you're kind or not has nothing to do with me. Don't bother me here," Ryan said coldly, his eyes full of disdain.

Ella wanted to explain more, but Ryan brushed her off and walked away. "Book a private room."

As the door to the private room slammed shut in her face, Ella sighed and had to leave.

Victoria really was her nemesis!

If it weren't for Victoria opening that dessert shop, she wouldn't have gone to watch the drama and wouldn't have pissed off Ryan. Today's mess would have been avoided.

Apparently, she had forgotten about their awkward encounter at Smokestack Grill & Barbecue.

But that was also related to Victoria.

If it weren't for Victoria, Eric wouldn't have ended up choosing Smokestack Grill & Barbecue, and Ella wouldn't have run into Ryan earlier.

Knowing he was useful, her attitude naturally improved.

In her past life, Ryan was fooled by her, thinking she was an innocent girl bullied by a mean sister, and he helped her tirelessly.

Unfortunately, Victoria messed all that up.

Could Ella still find a good helper now?

A week later, the results of the Snooker Club's internal selection were out, and Victoria emerged as the top female player.

Since there were few girls in the Snooker Club, and a senior member was busy with internships and graduation, Mira also moved up as a substitute.

Both of them could participate in the competition.

Upon hearing the results, Mira happily grabbed Victoria and cheered, "That's awesome! We can go to the league together."

Victoria smiled at Mira, who was lively, cute, and simple-minded. It was nice to have such a friend.

After some extra practice, they went to the locker room to change clothes and overheard the cheerleaders chatting.

"Ella said she would take us to Moonshadow Hall to see Diana's new musical!"

"Is it the popular 'Voice of Magic'? I heard it won't be out until after the league, but the tickets are already sold out. You can't even get resold ones for a higher price!"

"Ella's loaded, so it's no surprise she has connections. That's Diana, the top dancer at Aerion! I remember the first time I saw her perform, my mom took me when I was little. Tickets weren't as hard to get back then."

The conversation was buzzing, and Victoria perked up when she heard Diana's name.

Diana was a famous dancer with a huge national following. Victoria knew all about it. 

At home, Diana was always so gentle and loving, so Victoria often forgot that her mom was a celebrated artist with tons of fans!

Victoria glanced at the cheerleaders, her eyes softening. Having such a mom made her feel proud.

Mira noticed and asked, "Victoria, do you like Diana too?"

Victoria chuckled softly, "Yeah, I like her a lot!"

That was her mom, who was gentle, noble, generous, and doted on her. Victoria absolutely adored her!

Mira clasped her hands together, making a prayer gesture, "I love Diana too. I really want to see her perform live! But Moonshadow Hall tickets are so hard to get, especially for her shows. They're impossible to get! I heard she graduated from Nexus College's dance department, so she's our alumna."

Victoria smiled, "I'll take you. Do well in the league, and we'll celebrate."

"Really?" Mira's eyes widened, "You got tickets?"

"No, but I have some connections," Victoria said with a sly smile.

Victoria thought, 'Not telling her that Diana is my mom yet. There couldn't be a better connection than that, right?'

Mira squealed with joy, "I'm so happy!"

The cheerleaders who had walked away rolled their eyes disdainfully, "Snooker Club people have no manners, especially the girls. They don't care about their image at all."

One of them echoed, "Why compare yourself to them? They rely on physical strength, unlike us who have both beauty and brains."

After rigorous training, the league was finally about to begin.

This time, Dennis led the team. There were less than twenty participants and cheerleaders, all on one bus.

The cheerleaders, all girls from the dance club, started chatting about clothes and makeup as soon as they got on the bus, making the Snooker Club members' heads ache.

The two clubs never got along well. This time, the dance club was there to cheer them on, so the Snooker Club members just put on earplugs and endured it.

Victoria and Mira sat in the back row, wearing eye masks and resting.

Halfway through the trip, Ella suddenly started handing out sandwiches and milk to everyone.

"We left early today, so many of you probably didn't have breakfast. I prepared some for you."

Both the dance club and Snooker Club members praised her thoughtfulness and many took the food.

Mira, who was taking pictures of the scenery with her phone, muttered disdainfully, "She's trying to win people over again."

Ella came over enthusiastically, "Victoria, have some food to replenish your energy."

Mira gently nudged Victoria and politely declined, "We've eaten, no need."

Victoria pulled down her eye mask and, seeing it was her again, looked displeased, "No, thank you."

Ella feigned ignorance, opened the milk and held it out to Victoria, "Victoria, don't be shy."

Seeing the milk bottle thrust towards her face, Victoria waved it away, spilling the warm milk all over Ella's hand and even splashing some on her dress.

The thin white dress got wet and clung to her thigh, and it was a bit see-through.