The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 65: Group Fight

Since the tournament lasted two days, the schools that made it to the semifinals were all staying at the designated hotel.

Before dinner, Ella suddenly came to find Victoria, looking anxious. "Victoria, what are you doing here? I just saw a ref looking for you! They said there was an issue with the afternoon match that they needed to confirm with you. They seemed urgent and were waiting by the back door of the hotel."

Victoria frowned, eyeing her suspiciously. "Which ref?"

Ella raised her delicate eyebrows and turned her head impatiently. "How should I know? Go if you want! I'm just trying to help you out." With that, she stomped off.

Mira, worried, asked, "Victoria, will you go? Could Ella be up to something again? But she did seem serious. What if it's something important..."

Victoria smirked. "It's almost dinner time. I'll go check out what kind of trick she's playing."

In her previous life, this hadn't happened. But because Victoria was also reborn, many things were different this time around. 

However, Victoria trusted herself. No matter what scheme Ella had, she could handle it. Besides, unknown challenges were more interesting.

Mira thought about Victoria's recent victories. Ella had lost to Victoria every time, which eased her worries. But as a friend, she still cared about Victoria. "I'll go with you. It's getting dark, and it's not safe for you to go alone."

Victoria was about to nod when a member of the snooker club passed by, greeting them warmly. "What are you two still doing here? Didn't you see the group chat? Dennis said to meet in the hotel dining hall to review today's matches and plan for tomorrow's finals. It's almost time. You two are our star players!"

Mira quickly checked the snooker league group chat and saw the new notification. There were only five minutes left until the meeting, and they'd have to run to the dining hall to avoid being late. 

As a newcomer without any background, she couldn't afford to be late. Dennis might seem gentle, but he hated members who weren't punctual. She frowned and felt torn.

Victoria patted Mira's frowning round face, speaking lightly. "You go to the meeting. Help me ask for leave. I'll be fine on my own."

Reluctantly, Mira let go of Victoria's hand. "Okay, I'll go. Call me if you need anything. Be careful and come back soon."

Victoria pushed open the hotel's back door but didn't see any referee. Instead, there were two girls in Brightlight University cheerleader uniforms chatting and glancing at her. 

She walked out, puzzled. What was Ella's plan?

A loud bang echoed as the heavy door slammed shut behind her. A tall girl leaned against the door, sneering. "Victoria, we need to have a chat. Girls, come on out!"

A group of Brightlight University cheerleaders emerged from the nearby grove. Victoria raised an eyebrow at the impressive turnout. "You guys don't even compete. What do you want to talk about?"

"You arrogant bitch! Do you think you can show off and steal our Francis? Trying to take Sophie's guy? You're asking for trouble!"

"Yeah, Sophie might be tough, but she doesn't play dirty like you, bullying your classmates!"

"Seducing? I haven't even spoken to Francis. How did you come to that conclusion?" Victoria laughed, baffled. "And who told you I bullied my classmates?"

"You think I'd tell you so you can bully them more? Girls, don't waste time. Get her!"

Victoria was surprised they didn't rat out Ella. She slowly rolled up her sleeves, dodging a punch aimed at her shoulder. She grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her aside, making her stumble. 

The girl, red-faced, bit her lip and glared at Victoria. "Be careful, she's strong!"

"We outnumber her. Get her!"

As the group lunged at her, Victoria's expression turned serious, but she didn't hold back.

Meanwhile, in the dining hall, the Nexus College team was having their meeting. Dennis was worried when he heard Victoria couldn't make it, but he proceeded with the strategy session to avoid wasting time. 

Fifteen minutes later, he dismissed the meeting but noticed Mira pacing anxiously. "What's wrong?"

Mira, frowning tightly, said nervously, "Victoria isn't answering her messages. I'm worried."

Ella, who had been about to leave, stopped and stepped forward, speaking lightly. "She's an adult. What could happen to her? It's late, and everyone's hungry. Let's go eat. She might have gone to eat too."

Mira protested, "But she's not answering her phone either."

Someone chimed in, "Didn't Sophie and Willow from Brightlight University look for her this afternoon? They might be up to their old tricks again."

Mira's eyes widened in shock. She turned and pointed angrily at Ella. "It was you! You said the referee was looking for Victoria, so she went alone!"

Ella stepped back, looking innocent and biting her lip, her eyes reddening. "I didn't. I was just passing on a message. How can you accuse me like this? Just because you're an official member doesn't mean you can bully me. I'm working hard in logistics too!" 

She covered her face and started crying, drawing several boys to comfort her and scold Mira. "Victoria has no team spirit, skipping the meeting to do her own thing, and you blame Ella?"

Seeing the argument escalate, Dennis intervened. "Enough. Those who are hungry, go eat. I'll go with you to find Victoria. Do you know where she is?"

They headed to the hotel's back door with those concerned about Victoria. Ella watched Dennis's worried expression, stomping her foot in frustration. 

She thought angrily, 'By now, the Brightlight University girls should have taught Victoria a lesson. Hopefully, they hurt her enough to keep her from competing tomorrow, causing Nexus College to lose. Then everyone will blame her, and no one will care about her anymore.'

On the way, they ran into Francis and his group. Dennis called out, "Francis, you're getting more shameless."

Francis squinted, smirking. "What's your problem, Dennis? If you're scared, just forfeit the match."

Dennis glared at him, blocking his path. "Did you lure Victoria away?"

Francis, remembering the skilled girl, pushed Dennis aside. "I don't know what you're talking about. If you want to fight, just say so." 

With Francis leading, his group started jeering. They had long disliked the Nexus College rich kids.

Mira quickly stepped between them. "Sorry! We just want to find Victoria quickly."

Seeing her polite attitude, Francis casually asked his group, "Anyone seen her?"