Chapter 247: Lunar Edge!

Meeting Trish’s teasing gaze, Rachel reacted like a startled rabbit.

She hurriedly jumped several steps away, putting as much distance between herself and Luca as possible.

By then, her delicate face had turned bright red. Whether it was because of the warm glow of the setting sun or pure embarrassment, even she couldn’t tell.

She lowered her head, too mortified to say a word.

Her fists clenched at her sides.

’How did I get so carried away without even noticing?’

’Did Luca notice anything?’

’What if he realizes how I feel and starts avoiding me?’

Rachel knew Luca already had several women in his life.

Logically, that meant she still had a chance.

She wasn’t arrogant or unreasonable, and she believed she was beautiful in her own way. Although she and Sophie looked somewhat alike, each sister had her own unique charm.

But no matter how much she tried to convince herself...

There was still an invisible wall standing between them.

She would always be his sister-in-law.

Surely two sisters couldn’t possibly marry the same man.

’That’s... that’s far too shameless.’

’No... it’s simply against common sense.’

...

The moon hung high overhead, surrounded by countless sparkling stars.

Back in their room, Rachel lay on the bed, patiently waiting for Trish to finish showering.

The moment the bathroom door opened, she immediately sat upright, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Seeing that eager expression, Trish couldn’t help laughing.

"Hehe... that impatient already?"

Rachel hugged a pillow and looked at her pitifully.

"Oh, come on... hurry up and give it to me."

"Not so fast." Trish folded her arms with a smug smile. "Say something nice first."

Without hesitation, Rachel surrendered.

"Trish."

She smiled sweetly.

"Kind, beautiful, generous Trish... is that enough?"

"Hahaha!"

Trish burst into laughter before tossing her phone over.

"There. I’ve transferred every photo I secretly saved."

Five minutes later...

Rachel was completely absorbed in her phone.

She scrolled through every photo one by one before finally stopping at the picture they had taken together earlier that evening.

Her fingers instinctively zoomed in.

The composition...

The lighting...

Everything looked perfect.

Most importantly...

She was standing beside him.

A silly smile spread across her face.

Without any hesitation, she immediately set it as both her wallpaper and lock screen.

Watching from the side, Trish looked utterly speechless.

"You’re really using it?"

Rachel nodded without looking up.

"It would be such a waste not to."

"Aren’t you scared my brother might see your phone someday?"

That question finally made Rachel pause.

"...A little."

She bit her lip.

"But I still want to use it."

She had even considered posting it on social media.

Unfortunately...

She simply wasn’t brave enough.

Just imagining Sophie or Luca seeing it was enough to make her heartbeat spiral out of control.

Trish rolled onto her side, resting her chin in one hand.

"You’re not going to spend all day staring at the screen, are you?"

Rachel immediately looked up.

"What are you talking about?"

She protested with an embarrassed glare.

"Do you think I’m that weird?"

At most...

She might occasionally tap Luca’s face in the photo.

Or quietly smile at it before going to sleep.

Nothing more.

Probably.

Seeing the guilty look that flashed across Rachel’s face, Trish narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Before this...

Rachel had always been the quiet, obedient, well-behaved girl in everyone’s eyes.

Ever since finishing the college entrance examination, though, she’d changed quite a bit.

She had become addicted to online games, spoke more confidently than before, and laughed much more often.

Of course...

That only happened around people she was comfortable with.

Whenever Luca appeared, she instantly reverted to the shy little girl who blushed over the smallest interaction.

Still...

Compared to before, she was much livelier.

Looking at Rachel now, Trish silently shuffled farther across the bed.

’A girl in love can be surprisingly dangerous.’

...

The next morning.

After breakfast, the three left The Franco De Santa Estate in a luxury sedan arranged by Steward Alfred.

Today’s destination was Capital City Gaming Center.

Among the three of them, Rachel was undoubtedly the most excited.

She had barely sat down before she started enthusiastically talking about Lunar Edge’s current tournament standings, player transfers, recent balance updates, and the teams she supported.

She spoke so quickly that even Trish began rubbing her temples.

"Alright, alright."

She grabbed Rachel’s arm with a helpless smile.

"You’ve been talking nonstop for ten minutes."

"You’re explaining all this, but I don’t understand a single word."

Then she pointed toward Luca.

"My brother barely plays games either. He probably understands even less."

"I actually understand."

Luca answered casually from the front seat.

Both girls turned toward him in surprise.

"You do?" Trish blinked.

"I’ve just never seen you play."

Luca coughed awkwardly.

"I played quite a bit back in university."

Whenever he and his roommates finished classes early, they’d often spend the evening gaming together.

Even after graduation, he’d occasionally log in after work to unwind.

That gradually changed after he started dating Vanessa.

From then on, gaming became an occasional pastime rather than a hobby.

There was another reason...

His skills really weren’t worth showing off.

Back in university...

He was famous for leading his roommates straight into defeat.

If he joined the team...

Losing became almost inevitable.

Thinking about those memories still made him feel slightly embarrassed.

The car continued through Capital City’s busy streets before finally stopping in front of a modern five-story building.

A massive promotional banner covered the front wall.

Several professional esports players posed confidently beneath the club’s logo.

Rachel looked up instinctively.

Luca followed her gaze.

"Is that the team you support?"

To his surprise, she shook her head.

"No."

She pointed toward another logo displayed lower on the banner.

"I follow Lunar Edge."

"They haven’t achieved enough results yet, so they weren’t included."

"That makes sense."

Luca nodded.

Professional clubs naturally promoted the teams that had already proven themselves.

Winning championships spoke louder than potential.

The three walked through the entrance together.

Almost immediately, they caught the attention of the reception staff.

Fans visited the club almost every day.

Handsome visitors weren’t exactly rare.

But someone like Luca...

That was different.

His appearance alone attracted attention, and the quiet confidence he carried made him stand out even more.

Combined with the two beautiful young women beside him...

The trio immediately became the center of attention.

One receptionist kept staring before suddenly freezing.

She quickly pulled out a photo saved on her phone.

It was a picture of the club’s owner.

She compared it carefully.

Then her eyes widened.

"Oh!"

She hurried around the counter and respectfully bowed.

"Good morning, Mr. Hale. Good morning, ladies."

Luca smiled politely.

"Good morning."

"I’d like to look around the club."

"Please inform your manager."

"We’d be happy to."

Only a few minutes later, a young man with neatly combed-back hair hurried over.

"Mr. Hale."

The receptionist immediately introduced him.

"This is Mr. Erikson, manager of our Lunar Edge division."

Luca smiled and offered a handshake.

"So young already managing an esports division."

Mr. Erikson looked to be roughly the same age as him.

Still...

Thinking about it carefully, that made perfect sense.

Esports was an industry driven almost entirely by young people.

Having someone from the same generation lead the team made communication much easier.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Hale."

The manager smiled respectfully.

"If you’re ready, I’ll personally show you around."

"Perfect."

Luca lightly nudged Rachel forward.

"My little sister is a huge Lunar Edge fan."

"I’ll be counting on you."

"Of course."

Mr. Erikson smiled warmly.

"It’ll be my pleasure."

As they toured the building, they passed room after room filled with high-end gaming equipment.

Some housed professional players reviewing match footage.

Others were dedicated training rooms where academy members practiced in complete silence.

Along the way, Mr. Erikson patiently introduced each department.

By the end of the tour, Luca finally understood just how large Capital City Gaming Center really was.

The club managed competitive teams across nearly ten different esports titles.

Only one had won a national championship so far.

The others were still steadily climbing the rankings.

When they passed another training room, Luca noticed several teenagers concentrating intensely on their computers.

He paused.

"They’re academy players?"

Mr. Erikson nodded.

"Yes."

"In esports, age is everything."

"If someone shows exceptional talent early, every major club will try to recruit them before anyone else does."

Luca nodded thoughtfully.

Talent truly mattered in this industry.

Some people reached the world stage before turning twenty.

Others spent an entire decade chasing the same dream without ever making it.

Competition existed everywhere.

And in esports...

Results were everything.

Finally, after turning one last corner, they arrived outside another training room.

A silver sign hung neatly above the doorway.

It displayed two simple words.

Lunar Edge.