Chapter 304

With that, Everett turned on his heel and strode away without a backward glance.

Nathaniel stood frozen, his mouth slightly agape. The sheer audacity of being completely disregarded left him speechless.

Rosalind's frustration boiled over. "Julian, do you honestly believe you can challenge anyone at will? Who do you think you are?" She turned toward Everett's retreating figure. "Everett, I'm so sorry. I never meant to involve you in this mess. Wait up!"

She sprinted after Everett, her shoes slapping against the pavement.

Julian's face twisted in rage. Snatching up a basketball, he hurled it with all his might toward Everett's unprotected back.

"Everett, look out!" Rosalind's scream pierced the air.

The ball rocketed through the space between them. Just before impact, Everett's arm shot up with lightning reflexes, catching the ball midair with a resounding smack against his palm.

He turned slowly, locking eyes with Julian. Then suddenly, he was sprinting toward the basketball hoop.

Everett was accepting the challenge!

The two most sought-after men at Willowridge University were about to face off.

A hush fell over the gathered crowd.

Julian scrambled to position himself defensively, but Everett feinted left with a fluid grace that left Julian grasping at air.

Another desperate lunge from Julian.

Everett leapt, his black tee riding up to reveal sculpted abs. With a powerful one-handed dunk, he slammed the ball through the hoop.

The move was brutal.

It was poetry in motion.

Julian had been utterly outclassed.

The female spectators erupted in screams of admiration.

"Everett is absolutely breathtaking!"

"Julian only remained basketball captain because Everett never bothered to play before."

"That was complete domination!"

Everett landed lightly, his chest rising with controlled breaths. He scooped up his discarded jacket and walked away without a word.

Rosalind stood transfixed, watching his retreating form. His strength was mesmerizing.

Whether in combat or on the court, power radiated from him.

She could picture him as her protector, her shield against the world.

A shiver ran down her spine - equal parts fear and exhilaration. She couldn't tear her eyes away.

Like every other girl present, this was Rosalind's first glimpse of Everett's basketball prowess, and her pulse raced wildly.

"Everett, wait for me!"

She took off after him.

Julian remained rooted to the spot, shell-shocked. He'd never anticipated such a humiliating defeat.

Everett's moves had demonstrated a level of skill Julian couldn't hope to match.

He'd been thoroughly bested.

"Julian, don't take it to heart. It was just one game," Arabella said soothingly, placing a comforting hand on his arm.

Julian's expression darkened. He roughly shoved past Arabella and stormed off.

Arabella staggered backward, nearly losing her balance. A melodic voice rang out. "Having trouble keeping your footing, Arabella?"

She looked up to see Harrison watching her with amused eyes.

All around, students whispered and pointed. Today, Arabella had been dethroned from her position as Willowridge's queen bee, reduced to a mere supporting character in Rosalind's drama. Her public declaration of love had become a laughingstock. Never had she experienced such humiliation. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned and fled.

"Arabella!" Isabella called after her.

How had things come to this?

Isabella's fury ignited as she glared at Harrison. "Harrison, this is all your doing! Why must you constantly oppose me?"

Without warning, Isabella's hand flew toward Harrison's face.

But before the slap could connect, a strong, masculine hand intercepted Isabella's wrist midair.