Noelle ignored Lucas's persistent whining, "What's your deal? Unsatisfied? What more do you want?" The dungeon roared around them; monsters fell before her team's blades. Lucas's anxiety was palpable. His recruitment drive was failing, and the month's end loomed.

A teammate's voice cut through the chaos. "Hey, isn't that Team Luminark's leader? Recruiting with a sneer, are we?" Another chimed in, "Yeah, more like a reprimand! Ms. Nelly, you should join Celestial! Great perks!"

Lucas exploded. "She's not joining them!" His usual good humor vanished, replaced by a frantic desperation. The revelation that SweetNelly might be Noelle had shattered his composure.

"Dude, it's her choice," one teammate countered. "Exactly," another agreed. "Mind your own business!"

"What's it to you?!" Lucas roared, his anger fueled by a belief they couldn't possibly understand his unique relationship with the streamer—possibly his sister.

Noelle finally intervened. "Boss incoming!"

The team snapped to attention. "Right, right. Sorry, Ms. Nelly. We're amateurs, but we're fair."

Ignoring them, Noelle led the charge. Lucas, consumed by rage, stormed off to tackle a different boss solo—and promptly died. His team erupted in laughter.

Lucas glared at his screen. "Damn it!" James approached, concerned. "Mr. Liddell, what's wrong? Still no luck with the streamer?"

Lucas rubbed his temples. "That's not it." The streamer's skill was unnerving. Her recent streams showcased professional-level expertise, a stark contrast to the Noelle he knew. The possibility that SweetNelly was Noelle was unbearable. "Find someone else," he told James.

"Not recruiting her anymore?"

"Just do it! We can find someone better!" The thought of Noelle, SweetNelly, toying with him, burned within him.

Later, Noelle logged off, finding Lucas already gone. A smug smile played on her lips. She knew his ego well; this had been a colossal blow. She shrugged it off, too tired to dwell on it. Leaving her study, she went for water.