Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 899

Chapter 899: Imagine it as a watermelon

WHISTLE!

As soon as the whistle blew, all cheering and distractions stopped. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the ball the referee tossed into the air. Max and Atlas, standing in front of each other, bent their knees, their eyes locked on the ball.

Both men jumped as high as they could, but it was clear that Max’s jumping ability was superior. He soared like a massive wave, his shadow overlapping Atlas’s body.

For Max, time seemed to slow down as his mind raced with thoughts while he reached for the ball.

’Should I take it? Pass it? Hold it? Pass it?’ he wondered repeatedly, knowing Hugo was there, ready to steal the ball if Max didn’t secure full possession.

His heart thudded nervously, afraid that one wrong decision could lead to the team’s failure. Max might still be confident, but he wasn’t as naïve as he was twelve years ago. In the end, he clenched his teeth and grabbed the ball, holding it securely as his feet landed on the floor.

"Woooh! Go, Max! Our first point for this second quarter, here we go!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, many assuming that the first point of the second quarter was about to happen. However, Max held on to the ball as soon as Atlas blocked him, guarding him with his arms spread wide.

"Just what are you guys thinking?" Max grumbled through gritted teeth, his eyes scanning the area. "This isn’t going to work unless Hugo is the one guarding me!"

As soon as Max shouted, he dribbled the ball hard and forced himself out of Atlas’s defensive reach. He only needed to bluff Atlas, and that was enough to get past him.

"Haha!" Max laughed as he sprinted toward their basket, eyes fixed on his goal. He could feel Atlas trying to catch up, and he saw Hugo trying to get past the two other players guarding him in the corner.

DING!

The sound of a point being scored rang through the court. Max stopped in his tracks, staring at the basket in surprise.

"Kyah!!! Senior Max!"

"Our first point for the team~!!!"

"Go, team! Go, Team Max!"

"Keep it up! We’re starting strong!"

’I did it,’ Max thought, as if it were the first time he had scored a point. The corner of his mouth curved into a small smile, and the tension in his shoulders eased.

Just moments ago, he had been filled with anxiety, sensing the intensity of his opponents’ determination. But now that they had shown him their skills wouldn’t suddenly improve, his confidence was restored.

Max’s attention snapped to the ball, now in Hugo’s hands. "Team, focus! We still can’t be complacent."

Even with a smooth start to the second quarter, Max had learned long ago not to underestimate his opponents. He wasn’t the same person he had been before. Even when he knew he was better and winning, he didn’t look down on his rivals or opponents anymore, because Atlas and the basketball team had taught him a valuable lesson in life.

"Slater, just calm down," Haines remarked, only to hear Slater harrumph. "Just calm down. Look at your dad." _{freewёbnoνel.com}