Noelle wasn't surprised. She'd known this was coming. Lucas's stubborn insistence on Xenia as gunner—a blatant attempt to prove her solo worth—had cost them the match. His stubbornness hadn't changed a bit. A smile touched her lips. She was satisfied; Lucas, she wasn't so sure.

In her last life, she'd toiled for the championship, only to be replaced by Xenia at the last moment. This time, she watched from the sidelines as Lucas's team imploded. Backstage, Lucas stormed off, his face a thundercloud.

During the winning team's interview, their captain glanced at Noelle. "Easier than expected," he said. "We braced for elimination, but Noelle sitting this one out was a lucky break." They all knew her twelve-hit combo would have been their downfall.

A reporter thrust a microphone at Noelle. "Ms. Liddell, your thoughts?"

"Winners and losers," she replied smoothly. "Part of the game. But I believe the champion will make our country proud." She added, rising, "Let's go, Rachel."

Frank found Lucas in the locker room, unleashing his fury on a distraught Xenia. "Alright, everyone, bus time," Frank announced.

After the team dispersed, Xenia, tears in her eyes, whispered, "Frank, I tried my best."

"I know," Frank said gently. "Go with the others."

Xenia fled. Lucas exploded. "Frank, Xenia! Her performance was nothing compared to Noelle's! I shouldn't have trusted her!"

"You can't blame her," Frank said firmly. "You knew her limitations, yet you chose her to spite Noelle. This is on you."

Lucas's frustration was palpable. "I wanted to get back at Noelle," he admitted, "but I never expected Xenia to play so poorly! I thought she'd improved…"

"Lucas," Frank interrupted, "Xenia did her best. You pushed Noelle away. The blame rests with you."

Lucas slumped, defeated. "I couldn't accept Noelle's change. It happened so fast! I thought she was just upset."

"I warned you," Frank said, his voice unwavering. "Now think it through."

Lucas buried his face in his hands, the weight of his actions crushing him. He missed Noelle, realized his life felt incomplete without her.

Later, fans swarmed Noelle as she left. She hailed a cab, finally relaxing in her apartment. Alfred sat on the couch. "So, Nelly, how did the match feel?"

"Great!" Noelle grinned.