Chapter 280
In the first half of the basketball match, Watson decisively defeated the previous champion, Bright Star, 22-13. This upset score ignited the audience. Vice-principal Baker, pale and stern, criticized, “What happened? Why were you so weak in the first half? Jason, as captain, explain this!” Jason, sweating profusely and distressed, replied, “Vice Principal Baker, we tried our best. But Watson is playing like they’re on stimulants; their firepower is overwhelming. We couldn’t hold them back.” Vice Principal Baker’s face darkened. He shouted, “You!”
Bright Star’s team was demoralized. Watson, starting with their cheerleaders, seemed to unleash their full potential, relentlessly pressing their advantage. Bright Star was overwhelmed, already losing ground in the first half. Crystal stepped forward, addressing Jason: “Captain, this is your final year at Bright Star. Remember, your basketball skills earned you extra points and a scholarship abroad. But if you lose the championship to Watson, all your efforts will be wasted.” She sighed, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Jason’s face paled. He glanced at Captain Jimmy, whose hands hung limply at his sides. A gloom settled over Bright Star, contrasting sharply with Watson's jubilant celebration. Mr. Harris announced, “Alright, students, don’t get cocky. Play well in the second half. Maintain this momentum, and the championship is ours!” The team cheered. Jimmy left for the bathroom.
He had barely entered when a sack was thrown over his head, plunging him into darkness. A flurry of punches rained down. Surprised and struggling, Jimmy cried out, “Who are you? Let me go!” A hand seized his right arm, twisting it violently. A bone snapped. Olive and Alicia, distributing towels on the court, were alerted. Someone rushed over, shouting, “Principal Harris, Jimmy’s been attacked in the bathroom! His arm is broken!” Olive’s eyes widened. She and others rushed to the bathroom to find Jimmy battered and bruised, his right arm severely injured. The school doctor declared, “Mr. Harris, Jimmy’s right arm is severely fractured. He can’t continue playing; recovery will take a long time.”
A classmate asked, “Captain, did you see anyone attack you?” Another worried, “The captain’s our backbone! The second half is about to start. What do we do without our main player?” Jimmy, pale and cursing under his breath, muttered, “Someone hit me and broke my arm… it has to be those Bright Star bastards!” Bright Star students arrived, and Jason quickly interjected, “Don’t talk nonsense! Do you have proof? Without evidence, it’s slander. I’ll sue you!” A Watson student added, “Watson has a bad reputation. Who knows if you offended someone else and are now blaming us?”
As the argument escalated, a clear voice cut through the tension: “Are there cameras here?” The Watson students parted, revealing Olive. Her bright eyes fixed on the Bright Star students, who fell silent under her intense gaze. Olive’s eyes held a cold light, a compelling power that instilled a sense of guilt. She then turned to Jason: “Jason, Summer Square has surveillance cameras everywhere, even in the hallways. If we check the footage, we’ll find out who did this, right?” Jason, captivated by Olive's dancing before, was now visibly unnerved by her penetrating gaze.
Crystal interjected, “The cameras can’t be accessed without Mr. Augustine's permission. Summer Square belongs to the Augustine Group.” Olive and Crystal faced each other, the tension palpable. Olive pursed her lips, stating, “I’ll see Mr. Augustine. I believe he’ll cooperate.” Crystal kindly cautioned, “Olive, hurry. The second half is about to begin.” Jimmy urged, “With my injury, you’re all suspects. The game should be postponed!” Crystal addressed the referee, “Mr. Referee, should the entire match be halted for one player?” The referee, frowning at Watson, declared, “This match happens every year, but incidents only occur when Watson is here. The second half starts as scheduled.”
Olive stopped Jimmy, shaking her head. Her voice resonated with the Watson students, “This is prejudice. Instead of complaining, let’s change this. Wait here. I’ll find President Augustine and view the surveillance footage. Whoever did this won’t escape.” Olive left. Jimmy and the others were stunned, realizing the injustice they faced, yet not feeling entirely blameless. They felt regret. Olive, searching for Elvis, spotted his Rolls-Royce leaving Summer Square. “Mr. Augustine, please stop!” she called, running towards the departing car.