Chapter 523

Jace roared, “Guys, block him! Don’t give him a chance to counter!”

Sophie had never seen Tristan play basketball before that day.

There was a vast difference between him and the basketball players, chief of which was their age difference.

However, Tristan did not just look good on the court. He handled the ball with both style and skill, displaying real talent in the sport.

Though the basketball players were playing five-against-one, they still scrambled to defend against Tristan’s attacks.

Tristan played them like a fiddle.

When his opponents were on the offense, Tristan swiftly intercepted the ball and effortlessly scored a three-pointer over their flailing defense.

The match was lopsided in Tristan’s favor.

The five-member basketball team from Jipsdale University was no match for a visitor.

The young women in the crowd screamed in adoration.

Tristan was more than just a pretty face. His basketball skills were also impressive, which only highlighted the overall disparity between him and his opponents.

Sophie watched quietly from the side. She thought she could finally relate to the girls who would swarm to the court to watch their crushes play basketball.

She truly enjoyed watching Tristan unleashing his talents on the basketball court.

Nicholas, on the other hand, observed Sophie’s demeanor throughout the match.

He had never seen Sophie like that before and was positively stewing in jealousy.

He envied Tristan’s ability to command Sophie’s entire attention.

I can play basketball well too! I just need a chance to go on the court.

“Damn it!”

The basketball players had always been popular among the girls at Jipsdale University, yet they were now being humiliated by an older stranger on home grounds.

“Get rid of him!”

Since it was impossible to win the match, they decided to resort to dirty measures. In any case, they had to warn the man that the basketball team was not to be toyed with.

Sophie knew how to play basketball and sensed the moment Tristan’s opponents began hitting below the belt.

Her gaze cooled instantly.

These boys must be tired of living!

She would not let them off easy for their audacity to play dirty against Tristan.

At any rate, her concern was unwarranted. The young men were no match for Tristan, even when it came to dirty measures. Tristan nimbly dodged one of the players’ attempts to break his leg.

At the same time, he shot his opponents a fearsome gaze that chilled them to the bones.

I only wanted to toy with them a little, but since they can’t even play by the rules, I won’t go easy on them.

Consequently, the cocky basketball players fell for Tristan’s tricks time and again, losing the last shred of their dignity in the process.

The female students at Jipsdale University continued cheering Tristan on.

He had practically cast a spell over them.

Finally, the match ended with Jace falling after a particularly strong shove from Tristan.

“F*ck! You did that on purpose! You looking for a fight or something?” Knowing a win was impossible, Jace jumped to his feet and decided to challenge Tristan to a fistfight instead.

Tristan replied disdainfully, “You’re the one looking for a fight! Of course, it would be rude of me not to respect your wish.”

Jace was infuriated. Who the heck does he think he is, spouting all sorts of nonsense at our university?

He rushed forward to punch Tristan, sputtering, “You—”

Tristan merely seized Jace’s neck in a chokehold, cutting off whatever the young man meant to say.

“Just who exactly do you think you are? Think you can call the shots in front of me?” He would not have entertained such childish challenges if Jace had not been foolish enough to attack him.

“You—”

Jace was bewildered. He did not expect Tristan to be as skilled in fighting as he was in basketball.

His teammates panicked at the sight and rushed forward to help. “What do you think you’re doing?”

A vicious glare from Tristan was all it took to keep the four players frozen to their spots.

“You think this was my intention? You forced me to retaliate, no?” Tristan retorted fiercely.

Jace piped up fearlessly, “You’re in a university, man!” I bet you can’t do anything to me on campus!

“So what? Getting into Jipsdale University must be the greatest honor of your life, huh? Why don’t I get you expelled, then?”

Tristan’s threat rendered Jace speechless with shock.

What did he just say?

Unable to believe his ears, Jace stammered, “Did you think that joke was funny? Who the heck do you think you are? The master of this school?”

Christopher happened to walk past the basketball court then. He recognized Tristan on the court just seconds after spotting Sophie.

The chancellor immediately approached Tristan and asked, “What are you doing, Mr. Tristan? Have the students done something foolish to upset you?”

He had never seen Tristan so utterly drenched in sweat.

It was a far cry from his usual attire of elegant and sharp suits.

“Mr. Tristan?”

Jace was flabbergasted. He never imagined the man he had challenged was the infamous Tristan Lombard of Jipsdale. Everyone in the city knew who he was.

Meanwhile, Jace’s teammates began quaking with fear at the chancellor’s words.

Tristan shoved Jace aside and replied, “Mr. Olsen, this year’s basketball team is wrought with attitude problems. I would suggest you replace some of the members, lest they end up ruining Jipsdale University’s good name.”

After that, he returned to Sophie’s side. She had pulled out some tissues from her bag and stood on her tiptoes to dab at the sweat on his face.

Tristan was moved by her gesture.

He truly adored the tender side of her personality.

While carefully cleaning the sweat off his face, Sophie muttered, “You’re covered in sweat.”

She enjoyed exercising, but that did not mean she relished being covered in sweat.

“I’ll just go home and wash it off. Anyway, it’s getting late. Let’s go!” suggested Tristan.

“Okay!”

Christopher felt defeated after failing to squeeze in a single word during the couple’s conversation.

One of the basketball players mumbled, “Mr. Olsen, we were only—”

“That’s enough,” Christopher interrupted curtly. “I don’t need to hear your excuses. All of you have zero foresight. Didn’t you know Mr. Tristan is the one person you should never offend in Jipsdale?”

The chancellor mulled over Tristan’s earlier words. Jipsdale University isn’t lacking in talents. If these boys can’t stay in line, I’ll just have to switch them out.

The players had not even represented the university in the varsity friendlies yet.

If the chancellor kicked them out of the team now, they would have no such opportunity in the future.

With that thought in mind, they pleaded, “Mr. Olsen, we know it’s our fault! We—”

Alas, Christopher mercilessly cut them off. “Enough. I don’t have time to discuss these nitty-gritty matters with you.”

I’ll just go through your coach.

The five basketball players could never have imagined a simple taunt ending their varsity sports careers.

Before he left, Christopher added, “Oh, right. I advise you all to keep Mr. Tristan’s identity to yourselves!”

Tristan and Sophie left the university on foot, and Nicholas continued stalking the couple, though he put more distance between them.

The pair arrived at Sophie’s residence and entered the building together. Only then did Nicholas stop and light himself a cigarette.

Are they living together already?

Just the thought of it felt like a knife slashing across his heart.