Chapter 208 Do You Dare Take Me On?
Without so much as a glance at Alyssa, the newcomer demanded, "What's this all about?"
The guard, clutching his arm and on the verge of tears, rushed to snitch. "These two women, claiming to be fans, insisted on entering, saying they had clearance. I told them it's a private area, off-limits, but this woman... she just, she attacked me."
He had meant to point at Reese but recoiled under her intimidating gaze.
A shadow crossed the man’s face as he approached Reese. At first glance, she seemed slender, tall, with sharp features – not exactly fierce-looking but undeniably stunning. It was the kind of beauty that was spellbinding, setting her apart from the average person.
People are often more amenable to those who catch their eye at first sight.
"This is a private area, where the players rest. It's off-limits and the guard did nothing wrong. Who gave you the right to barge in?" he accused.
There was an edge of blame in his tone.
Reese's brows furrowed. From the way this guy addressed her, she certainly wasn't getting the good vibes Alyssa had described.
Alyssa was never the kind to be at a disadvantage, yet now, as he spoke, she couldn't help but feel like she was being reprimanded for wrongdoing.
Alyssa had a soft spot for him, but clearly, the feeling wasn't mutual.
"You’re questioning us without even getting your facts straight. It was your security who started it by pushing people around. Don't you have cameras here? Pull up the footage and see for yourself."
She didn't bother to ask the security team for their side of the story; instead, she went straight into a dispute with Reese.
"Even if they were the first to push, it was you who insisted on coming in. So now you’re claiming you’re in the right?” Reese couldn't help but laugh. “What you’re saying is it’s fine for your guy to push first?”
"Are you suggesting it's okay for you to barge in uninvited? Enough of this noise. I've got fans flocking around all day. If all of them disregarded the rules like you, I’d never keep up."
His patience had already worn thin, and all he wanted now was to get them out. He was already in a foul mood; his coach had chewed him out earlier for his technique, making his temper particularly short-lived.
Alyssa was taken aback; this wasn't the man she had admired on stage. He seemed like a completely different person now. If she hadn't seen him with her own eyes, she might have thought she had mistaken someone else for him. And what did he mean by 'dealing with’? She had thought herself to be carefree and indifferent, but in truth, she had been hopelessly in love for too many years.
She had watched every single one of his games closely, even rewatching them repeatedly. In her eyes, he had always stood tall.
But now, his dismissive attitude and irritable demeanor made her heart sink to the bottom.
With eyes brimming with tears and a choked voice, she asked, “Do you really see us fans as just an annoyance to deal with? Is this how you repay the support of so many fans?”
"I have plenty of fans; I won't miss one. Please leave now, or I'll have to call the police."
His face grew more agitated by Alyssa's words, not showing the slightest hint of sympathy, but rather clear annoyance.
Reese felt a pang of sympathy for Alyssa. She knew how Alyssa's room was adorned with his posters; she even had a collection of his photos plastered on her wall. To her, he was more than just a pop idol; he was a god to be worshipped.
She had brought her friend over, filled with excitement, only to be met with such a disappointment.
Seeing Alyssa and her friend still standing there, he added, “And please, stop using your so-called 'admiration’ to request meetings with me. Your 'affection' is honestly more of a bother.”
Tears streamed down Alyssa's cheeks as she trembled, her complexion turning pale. Normally quick-witted and articulate, she found herself at a loss for words.
Reese had always been fiercely protective, and within the Flynn clan, Alyssa was the only one who could genuinely be considered kind to her.
Her blunt way of talking was just... off-putting. Even if one chose not to accept a gesture of goodwill, there was no need to denigrate someone like that.
With a steely gaze and a sudden mocking tone, Reese interjected.
"People like you, how do they even deserve the adoration of your fans? And by the way, I've seen your streams; your gameplay is nothing to write home about. Alyssa doesn't especially like you either; she just thinks you play well. Other than that, your personality doesn't win anyone over."
It wasn't Reese's scorn that struck him, but her comment that his skills were lacking.
He scoffed, "This is the first time I've ever heard someone say that about me. Do you have any idea how vital I am to my team? Without me, they wouldn't stand a chance at winning the championship."
"Then why don't you play a round with me? If I win, you go live to apologize to all your fans and repeat every word you just said, and—this is the best part—drop out of the competition. Don't insult the affection your fans have for you, because you're not worthy!"
Reese's words were calculated, her eyes ablaze with conviction. Alyssa watched in amazement, feeling as though Reese was edged in gold at that moment, radiant with an undeniable brilliance.
Her boldness didn't just stun him; it also left the onlookers dumbfounded and buzzing with conversation.
"Goodness, that girl must be out of her mind, spouting such big talk. That's the guy who led their team to the national championship last year, the linchpin of their team, and she says he's not that good?"
"Pfft, I think she's cracked. So pretty, and to find out she's a headcase? What a waste."
"Did you hear her challenge him to a match? If she were that good, she'd be on the national team by now. Plus, women naturally react slower than men; is she just asking for a beatdown?"
"But what she said was way out of line. Look, she even made that other girl cry."
Their gazes shifted sharply to Reese, who appeared young but exuded a commanding presence, especially when she spoke with such confidence, as if she held a winning hand.
It was the first time he'd seen a woman boldly challenge him to his face.
He arrogantly flicked his hair. His eyes were filled with disdain for Reese.
"What if you lose? How about you strip and crawl out of here then?"
At his provocative suggestion, Alyssa's mood, previously downcast, shifted into anger.
"If you think you can make my Reese strip and crawl out of here, you must be insane."
He spread his hands in a gesture of feigned helplessness, but his eyes were lit with contemptuous amusement.
"Did I start this? She said it herself; I was just respecting her wishes."
The way he said it made it sound like he was coerced. That tone of helplessness was just infuriating.
Reese felt that if she didn't put this arrogant jerk in his place today, she'd be doing a disservice to the time she'd already sacrificed to come here.
Chin up and confident, she readily accepted the challenge.
"Sure thing."
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