Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 469:

“And last but not least, Ethan Watson,” the host called out, only to find an empty space where the contestant should have stood. He glanced about, puzzled. “Where is he?”

Ethan, nerves creeping in like shadows before dusk, had been lurking in a corner.

“Over here!” he shouted, jogging toward center stage.

“Ethan?!” Melanie and Marisa exclaimed together, their surprise unmistakable.

Melanie had half-suspected a coincidence — just someone with the same name. But the moment she laid eyes on him, her doubts were dashed. Her face twisted. “You’ve got to be kidding me! You, the eternal bookworm, made it into the offline tournament?”

Marisa sauntered over, lazily biting into her lollipop, and gave Ethan a friendly smack on the shoulder. “Sneaky move, huh? Well done!”

Ethan scratched his head, his cheeks blooming red. “I just figured I’d give it a shot.”noveldrama

At that, Melanie couldn’t resist twisting the knife. “You? You’ve barely played a handful of games, and you think you’re tournament material? Do you even meet the bar?”

Before the moment could sour further, Marisa stepped in, arms folded, her tone sharp. “Why are you so agitated? Anyone who qualifies for the offline tournament is among the top ten in their region. How does he not qualify?”

Melanie rolled her eyes dramatically. “He’s probably just filling a slot. Don’t act like he’s about to snatch the trophy.”

Then, narrowing her gaze with a wolfish smile, she added, “Just don’t forget our little wager if you lose, Marisa.”

Melanie was set on winning — of that, there was no doubt. She’d hired professional players to sharpen her gaming skills, and the effect was significant.

Marisa snorted. “You’re already celebrating when the fight hasn’t even begun? Dream on. And watch your manners — I hope your voice can be as loud as it is now when you apologize to Ethan!”

𝗕𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 — 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝘁 ⲅ𝗮𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀・ⅽ𝗼𝗺

“You!” Melanie sputtered, caught between anger and disbelief. “Forget it. I won’t waste breath arguing. I’ll see you fall — fair and square.”

Unaware of the undercurrent between them, the host assumed they were trading strategies and jumped in. “Contestants, please proceed to your stations! I will now explain the rules of the tournament.”

Meanwhile, in the stands, the students from Class One of the elite preparatory program, who had come to spectate, sat in stunned silence.

“Are my eyes playing tricks on me? I’ve been grinding non-stop and didn’t make it, but Ethan, of all people — who’s never played any game — did?”

“He’s always buried in textbooks. When would he even have time to train?”

“Look, he’s the last to walk onstage. Probably the weakest link in the chain. If he makes it past the first three rounds, I’ll eat my shoe!”

Melanie’s loyal crew took turns ridiculing Ethan, their words laced with derision and mockery.

“Now, let the tournament officially begin!” the host declared, and the large screen lit up with the random match pairings.

Each contestant was paired with another, names shuffled like a deck of fate. Losers were cast out, while winners marched onward — round after round, until only one stood tall.

Marisa and Melanie exchanged a fleeting glance, both disappointed. They had hoped to face each other immediately, to settle scores from the get-go.

With the tournament now in full swing, every contestant began their match simultaneously. The massive screen fractured into dozens of smaller windows, each broadcasting a battle in real time.

Game streamers from every corner of the map focused intently on their regional stars. The organizers, thoughtful to a fault, had even provided equipment tailored to their needs.

.

.

.