Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 898

Chapter 898: In Penny, we trust.
“What’s going on?” someone from the crowd wondered aloud to their friends. “Why is Senior Atlas standing over there? Shouldn’t Senior Hugo be doing that, considering he even beat Senior Max in the jump ball?”

“Look at them… not saying Atlas is short, because he’s still taller than average. But in front of Max, whose body was built for this game, he looks like a child.”

“Is Atlas hiding a special skill? Can he jump higher than Hugo?”

“Just what is Team Hugo trying to achieve now? I’m getting very nervous — oh my god, I’m freaking out!”

“Senior Atlas~! You can do it~!”

As the crowd started whispering to one another, the basketball team, who were sitting with the crowd near Charles’s bench, gazed at Charles’s back.

“Uncle Charles, back then, was our great motivator,” one of the professional players muttered. “And although back then it felt like he was just looking down on us, as adults, I respect his way of training.”

The rest nodded in agreement, keeping their eyes on Charles’s back.

“I can’t believe that was twelve years ago,” another one expressed. “Yet, I guess even if we all grow old, he’s going to stay the same.”

“I am grateful to our coach, but it would be nice to have Uncle Charles watch our games sometimes.”

Twelve years ago, it was Charles who had coached them between their match with Max and the players from the junior league. Their original coach at that time didn’t want to interfere and argued that it was not what a team was supposed to do. So, the coach chose to remain “neutral,” when in fact, he simply didn’t want to side with any of them, as they all came from prominent families.

At that time, Charles played with them as if they were adults and even mocked them at every turn. They barely appreciated Charles back then, but as adults, they understood that Charles taught them the biggest lesson in playing a sport.

That lesson was… to be a good sport themselves.

Getting mocked and letting it affect them would reflect poorly on their gameplay. It was why the basketball team was more tolerant as adults and professional players, even when there were games that got heated.

“But on the most important part, I don’t think Max is going to take the lead now,” said the captain, studying the position of each player. “They’re giving the ball to Max by putting Atlas over there.”

Everyone nodded as they intuitively shifted their eyes to Hugo’s position. “He’s in a free position… even though two players were guarding him.”

Unlike the clueless cheers going around, the basketball team ended up analyzing the situation. Some even leaned forward, resting their arms on their legs, anticipation in their eyes.

“This is going to be interesting,” they said. “Although I’m still not confident with the rest except Hugo and have a little faith in Atlas, I hope we’ll be able to watch an interesting game for once.”

***

“Ginnie, is this going to work?” Lily sat near Ginnie, curious. “Can Senior Atlas jump high and beat Senior Max?”

Ginnie observed the situation quietly, her expression solemn. “I wonder why Uncle Charles didn’t pursue a coaching career. He’s really good at this — better than other coaches.”

“Huh? Why?”

“They’re forcing Max to keep the ball.”

Lily blinked and stared at Ginnie. “Are they giving up? Is our dearest Penny going to announce bankruptcy?”

“…” Ginnie glanced at Lily with a flat expression. However, she couldn’t really blame Lily because the latter was just a casual audience. Lily knew nothing about this, just as Ginnie knew nothing about good brands or which fabric was best for a dress.

“Let me explain it in simple terms.” Ginnie cleared her throat, her tone patient, jerking her chin toward the court. “Initially, Senior Hugo and Senior Max were the first to fight for the jump ball because they were the best on their team. The two of them were a great match — a perfect one, if I may add.”

“By giving the ball to Senior Max, that leaves him with possession. After all, Senior Hugo’s position is in a free spot. Even though two people are guarding him right now, he could easily surpass them,” she continued, rubbing her chin as her eyes scanned the other players. “At least, that’s what it looks like.”

Ginnie’s face darkened as she studied the situation further. “Even if Senior Hugo could break free from his guards, if no one stops Senior Max, this tactic is useless. Unless… this is just a diversion. There are still three players from Senior Hugo’s team who have no guards at all.”

That was because they had been standing there like figurines throughout the first quarter. Adding to that, Zoren had even scored for the enemy team.

“This is weird,” she murmured to herself, narrowing her eyes. “I don’t think the other three players even know how to play this game. Although Penny’s husband has a good shooting form, he still needs to understand the game. They might be motivated after hearing about the betting pool, but that isn’t enough to learn how to play. Unless, of course, they’re just gifted and quick learners with plenty of stamina to keep up.”

Lily kept smiling at Ginnie, blinking innocently. “I didn’t understand all of that — too complicated. My brain is not braining. Can’t process it. However, one thing I know is that Penny’s husband has a lot of stamina.”

“Huh?” Ginnie’s face twitched as she looked back at the sweet Lily. “How did you know that? I mean, how are you sure about that?”

“He brags about it, and Penny vouches for that.” Lily winked at her playfully. “All he has to do now is learn how to play a game, and he’s good to go, right?”

For a moment, Ginnie was rendered speechless, staring at her friend, who made everything sound so easy. If it were that easy, then there would be no point in training her players.

“They’ll win~” Lily giggled, her face showing no sign of worry. “Otherwise, Penny wouldn’t bet her company and life on it. I believe her.”

Ginnie stared at Lily, then sighed and smiled helplessly. Surely, between them, Lily was more of Penny’s avid fan than Ginnie had ever been. After all, Lily always reminded Ginnie how to believe in a friend without questions or worries.

“I guess… I’m overanalyzing things too much,” Ginnie sighed in defeat. “You’re right. I believe in Penny. In Penny, we trust, right?”

And just like that, the whistle blew again, signaling the start of the second quarter of the game.