Chapter 10 Fight a Match with Her

Ethan walked in carrying food and caught Ivy muttering to herself. He casually asked, "Ivy, what are you saying?"

The displeasure on Ivy's face disappeared immediately, replaced by a look of grievance.

"Ethan, did you watch the livestream? Cecilia was incredible. Good thing my match isn't today, or it would've been a waste."

She couldn't figure it out — hadn't she already arranged for someone to tamper with things? How was Cecilia's racket still working fine?

Hearing that, Ethan felt his irritation flare up even more.

He sat on the edge of the bed, opened the food container, and handed it over. "Ivy, your coach is the best. You won't lose to her."

Ivy took it but didn't pick up her forks.

"I'm feeling a lot better now. The hospital is so stuffy. Can we go to the competition venue? I want to congratulate her in person."

Looking at her eager face, Ethan couldn't bring himself to refuse. "Ivy, the doctor said you need to rest for a few days. Just stay in the hospital and go after you recover."

But no matter what he said, Ivy wouldn't hear it. She insisted on going to the venue, claiming she just wanted to celebrate for Cecilia.

With no other choice, Ethan agreed to help her check out.

"You're just too kind — that's why Cecilia keeps walking all over you. Fine, we can leave, but you have to behave and eat first."

Only then did Ivy nod, satisfied, and start eating.

---

Back at the sports center, Ivy and Benjamin had been talking for a while now, and the two of them clicked instantly when it came to tennis.

"How about we play a round?"

Mid-conversation, Benjamin smiled and threw out the suggestion.

Cecilia paused, meeting those smiling eyes.

A moment later, excitement lit up her face. "Getting guidance from a top champion like Mr. Howard? I'd love nothing more!"

It wasn't really a match — more of a practice session — but opportunities like this were rare. Cecilia felt like something had finally gone right today.

Seeing how excited she was, Benjamin couldn't help but laugh. "You've been playing all day. Can you even keep going? Don't blame me if you lose."

His smile was warm and easy. Cecilia almost got lost staring at it.

Snapping back to herself, she gave her racket a swing and patted her chest. "No problem. Give me everything you've got!"

The two walked onto the practice court, laughing and talking, and took their positions on opposite sides. Cecilia stepped behind the baseline, bounced the ball twice in her palm, then tossed it up and served.

The ball came in fast, but it wasn't much of a challenge for Benjamin. He stepped to the side, flicked his wrist, and sent it right back.

Cecilia lunged for it, but the distance was too great. The edge of her racket barely clipped the ball, and it flew out of bounds.

"That was fast," she said, genuinely impressed.

Benjamin stood across from her, his usual relaxed air gone, eyes locked on her with focus. "Again. You can go faster."

Half an hour later, both of them were drenched in sweat.

It was Cecilia's first time feeling completely outmatched, but the more they played, the more fired up she got.

Every shot Benjamin hit felt like a new puzzle to solve. She kept adjusting how she received the ball, slowly reworking her strategy as they went.

By the end, she was breathing hard — but she'd never felt so alive on the court.

"Mr. Howard, thank you for the guidance."

She understood now — the way Benjamin kept shifting his tactics was his way of teaching her to adapt and think on her feet.

Benjamin opened his water bottle and took a drink, his throat moving as he swallowed, sweat trailing down his neck. There was something unexpectedly magnetic about it.

Cecilia looked away, a little flustered, and covered it by taking a sip of her own water.

"Don't mention it. Playing with you is actually fun. You're way better than any practice partner I've had."

Benjamin meant every word. Cecilia's skill was undeniable. Give her a few more years, and she might actually be able to hold her own against him.

The two moved to the side to rest. Cecilia hadn't even wiped the sweat off her face when she caught a glimpse of two figures at the entrance — and her good mood evaporated instantly.

The Windsor family. These people just wouldn't leave her alone.

Ivy looked pale, with Ethan at her side. They were walking straight toward Cecilia.

Ethan didn't waste a second. He launched right into it.

"Cecilia, Ivy dragged herself out of the hospital just to congratulate you, and you can't even check in on your own sister? Instead you're here laughing it up with some guy?"

The smile dropped from Cecilia's face. She looked at him with pure impatience.

"I need her congratulations? The best thing you could do for me is disappear."

"Do you have any heart at all? Ivy gets hurt and you don't care. She's out of the hospital and you can't even ask how she's doing. What kind of person are you?" Ethan was so angry he could barely watch his words.

Cecilia responded with a cold laugh. She was about to speak when Benjamin stepped in.

"This is a training facility. Watch your tone."

Ethan shot him a look. "This is a family matter. Stay out of it."

"Family?"

Cecilia stepped forward, putting herself between Ethan and Benjamin. "I've told you people this more than once — I have nothing to do with you anymore. I gave everything back. Whatever goes on in your family has nothing to do with me. Are we clear?"

Ethan seemed to realize he'd gone too far. He reined in his temper and tried to sound reasonable. "Ivy's still weak. The doctor says she needs someone to look after her. We all have work — we can't be there all the time. You're her sister, Cecilia. Family is family. Take care of her for a few days, and Ivy will let go of everything that happened before."

"Ethan, I don't need Cecilia to take care of me. I'm fine."

Ivy tugged at Ethan's sleeve, trying to stop him from going further — but as she spoke, her body swayed and she nearly toppled to one side.

"Cecilia, I only came today to congratulate you. I hope the rest of your matches go well."

Cecilia looked at her and didn't miss the flash of jealousy that crossed her eyes.

"Drop the act, Ivy. Did you really think I didn't know what you did?"

She walked over to her bag, pulled out the tampered racket, and threw it down in front of Ivy.

"Does that look familiar? Did you think I don't have a backup racket?" She turned to Ethan. "And you — both of you disgust me. 'Let go of everything'? Let me be clear: I don't want anything to do with people like you. Not one of you."

Ivy stepped back, then forced herself to stay calm.

"Cecilia, what do you mean? Isn't that your racket?"

She wanted to play dumb. Cecilia wasn't going to play along. "You think I'd bring this up without proof?"

She pulled out her phone and called her assistant.

"Bring the security footage I had you save. Come to the training court."