Chapter 906: Almost

DING!

DING!

DING!

The bell rang on the court at quick intervals while the scoreboard continued to add more points to Hugo’s team. Meanwhile, Max’s team’s score stagnated. Although there were times Max would get lucky and score a point, it wasn’t enough to create a gap between their scores.

At the last straw of the third quarter, the score was tied.

"Defense! Defense! Defense!" Max’s supporters shouted in unison, trying not to lose hope.

Earlier, many of the supporters had started to feel devastated. Not that Max’s team was pathetic, but it felt like watching a massacre. Even so, those who still believed didn’t want to lose faith. Therefore, they encouraged everyone to keep cheering.

Max’s team hadn’t surrendered yet. So, they should keep cheering.

"It’s okay, team! We’ll try again!"

"Don’t lose hope! Keep fighting!"

"Team Max, cheer up! We’ll keep on fighting!"

At the same time, Team Hugo’s fans also cheered even more fiercely. Many of them were excited, watching how the team had managed to close the huge gap, and now the score was tied. There were still three minutes left until the third quarter ended.

There was still plenty of time for their team to get ahead. Thus, the cheering intensified.

"Senior Hugo, we love you~!"

"Go, Senior Atlas!"

"Blacky, do another three!"

"Senior Dean, you’re doing great! Keep it up! Another point for us!"

"One more point! Break their defense, Plus One!"

Despite having one last quarter after this, it felt like this was the final one. One reason was that if Hugo’s team continued to dominate the court, it would be harder for Team Max to catch up.

"Why do I feel nervous?" Nina wondered to herself, clasping her hands together to stop them from shaking. To her surprise, Penny’s hand suddenly clasped hers, making Nina look up at her.

Penny smiled. "You’re nervous because we’re already at the peak of this game."

"..." Nina pressed her lips into a thin line. "Will they win?"

"Is that a question?" Penny replied, chuckling. "I think I already answered that when I placed my bet on our team."

Nina smiled wryly, breathing heavily. "There’s another quarter left, but it feels like a deciding point."

"Because it is," said Penny, snapping her eyes at the court. "If Max can’t think of anything else, the remaining three minutes will be the deciding point. Just look at them."

Nina instinctively gazed at the court. "What am I supposed to see here?"

"Max’s team is all exhausted. Even if they naturally sub someone out now, it won’t be enough. On the other hand, our team is still in the zone." Penny’s eyes settled on Hugo, then on Atlas, nodding in satisfaction. "They’re still in the zone."

In the last quarter, Dean had mostly astounded everyone with his graceful basketball skills. Jonathan also stood out, performing like a beast. As for Zoren, he had become the calm majesty of the team. Unlike the rest of the players, Zoren was like a god who remained calm on the court, and no one would notice him unless he made a move.

"Penny, your husband is amazing, isn’t he?" Nina blurted out, grinning at Penny as the latter looked back at her. "He shoots really well. He never misses."

"I know, right?" Penny smirked, thankful that it was Nina saying this. If it had been Lily, Penny could already imagine what that friend of hers would have said next.

DING!

As the two talked, Penny and Nina heard the bell ring once again. When they looked, they saw that the team who made that point was theirs. Now, they were two points ahead.

"Who did it?" Nina blurted out. "Was it Brother Atlas?"

"I guess it’s him since everyone was cheering for him." Penny shrugged, tapping her fingers together. "Hmm..."

Penny hummed a long tune as if thinking about something. After a moment, she rose to her feet and pushed herself up.

"Penny? Where are you going?" Nina asked, looking up at Penny with furrowed brows. "The third quarter isn’t over yet."

"But it is for me," Penny smirked, winking at her. "I’ll just call Grace and tell her the transfer is not happening."

Having said that, Penny excused herself and left. Nina watched Penny with furrowed eyes. When she looked away from Penny’s figure, all she saw were Haines and Slater staring in Penny’s direction.

"I guess the game is over for her," Nina smiled, but then felt nervous because, for her, things could still change. She clasped her hands together, only to feel Benjamin jumping over their row from behind them. "Huh?"

Nina looked at the seat where Penny had sat, only to see Benjamin grinning at her.

"I’ll sit here for now!" Benjamin announced, turning to look at Haines with a grin on his face. "Hello, Uncle!"

Haines smiled subtly and nodded at Benjamin, while Slater rolled his eyes at him.

"I’ll just take a leak," Slater announced, already rising to his feet. "Excuse me~"

******

Penny walked down the empty hallway leisurely. Unlike the open court, where the cheers and thunderous roars were echoing, the hallways were quiet—almost eerie. But that didn’t bother her as she walked farther away from the event happening right now.

Ring...

On her way, Penny heard a faint ringing somewhere. She didn’t bother at first, but the sound grew louder the closer she got. Playing with the locker keys slipped onto her index finger, she soon stopped. Slowly, she turned her head to the entrance of the locker room, which had been lent to Lily so everyone could change into their school uniforms.

Ring...

Standing by the entrance, it was now clear that the ringing was coming from here. Penny walked in slowly, stopping in front of the locker with the number 8 on it.

Ring...

Penny stared at the locker while holding the key that had the same number on its door. Without a word, she opened it, only to see Atlas’s phone ringing nonstop.

"Hmm..." she hummed, watching as the incoming call ended, revealing all the missed calls from Allen and some from the Old Bennet Residence. Yet, Penny didn’t show any concern or urgency, pressing the volume down until the next call came in silently.

"Too early," she whispered as she placed the phone back inside, closed the locker, and then walked away, fishing her phone out. With the phone pressed to her ear, Penny spoke. "How is she?"

The person on the other end of the line was Angel, saying, "Almost," as he turned his head to the driver’s seat where Patricia Miller was seated.