The Girl They Ignored Returned as the Woman Seven Men Would Die For novel Chapter 153

"I've been informed over the past couple of days that a first-class swimmer on the Hudson University State Team has been behaving with extreme moral bankruptcy, causing quite a scandal on campus.

Since the Lancaster family funds the team, our goal is obviously to support athletes who possess both immense dedication and outstanding character.

I hope you'll keep this in mind when recruiting fresh talent this year. Please ensure you thoroughly evaluate an athlete's overall integrity so as not to tarnish the image of The National Team."

Though Lucas didn't have the phone on speaker.

Both Mika and Jude clearly heard President Keane's fawning, resolute voice echoing from the receiver,

"Mr. Lancaster, please rest assured. I will launch a full investigation immediately. I promise you, no athlete lacking in morals will ever set foot on The National Team."

The blood in Jude's veins turned to ice.

What student athlete didn't dream of joining The National Team and competing in the Olympics?

A top-tier national athlete could wield the influence of an A-list celebrity, bringing in millions of dollars in endorsements.

Yet with a single, casual phone call, Lucas had effortlessly slammed the door on Jude's entire future.

He might still be on The State Team, but his coach was supposed to nominate him for the nationals this very year!

Lucas hadn't even mentioned his name.

But men at the absolute pinnacle of society knew exactly how to read between the lines.

A Lancaster didn't just call to chat.

The Association would never dare ignore their primary sponsor. They would tear through The State Team's roster to find out who had caused a scandal. Jude's messy history with Seraphina and Mika would be exposed instantly.

A thick, suffocating lump formed in Jude's throat.

He glared at Lucas, his eyes injected with blood.

From the moment his family discovered his talent for swimming, they had sacrificed everything to support him, waiting for the day he made it to the big leagues.

Yet despite his coach's favor, his family's hopes, and his own blood, sweat, and raw talent...

He knew Lucas possessed endless ways to make him—and his family—wish they were dead.

If he truly made an enemy of Lucas Lancaster, he wouldn't just be fighting one man. He'd be fighting the entire machine behind him—

An untouchable, omnipotent elite class.

Tears of humiliation burned Jude's eyes as he realized the crowd was still watching him with utter disgust.

He viciously wiped his face, gritted his teeth, and stormed off in humiliating defeat.

It was only now that he understood why Mika had been completely indifferent to his pleas.

Now that she had hooked a billionaire heir, why would she ever look twice at a pathetic amateur athlete?

Seraphina, Mika—they were all money-grubbing gold diggers!

Women were nothing but venomous snakes!