She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 191

Alaric did not know he played with professional players today even after he was carried off the tennis court.
He sat in the SUV, almost dead from exhaustion. However, his tone was filled with immense contentment. “It’s indeed more satisfying to play tennis. Basketball requires teamwork. I can’t only care about my performance. Tennis is different. I can play it however I want. It feels great.”
Athena pursed her lips and smiled. “You will have to rest for a few days after playing so hard today. Something good might happen after that.”
“Yes. I think so too.” Alaric closed his eyes and smiled, “Every time I win, I feel that this world is incomparably beautiful. It’s as if everything I want will come true.”
Alaric fell asleep and had a dream. He dreamed he played in the Grand Slam and won. Everyone cheered for him.
Alaric continued to dream about that every night until he went back to school.
Soon, it was Alaric’s 20th birthday. Naturally, there should be a big celebration. However, as he sat by the window, looked at the basketball court not far away, and remembered how his basketball dream was gone, he was a little depressed.
He planned to tell his family after school that he had an exam at night so they would not have to prepare a feast and gifts for him
However, when he walked out of the school with his backpack after class and was about to make a call in the small forest nearby, three well-dressed people appeared in front of him.
One of them was a middle-aged man with a mustache. He said. “Hello, Alaric. I’m Randy Sands, the manager of Endover Tennis Club. He pointed to the other two people. This is our club’s coach, Aiden Lowrey, and our club’s agent, Alice Mayer.”
“H-hello.” Alaric was very surprised and said uneasily, Why are you looking for me?”
Randy said, “We watched your match a few days ago carefully. We also learned about you from the people in the sports circle and the University of Technology. We all agree you are very talented in tennis and have the potential to go pro.”
He smiled and added, “We want to sign you on. We’re here to talk to you about it today”
Alaric widened his eyes and sized them up for a while before saying warily, “You’re not lying to me, are you?”
Randy didn’t mind Alaric’s reaction. He turned on his phone and opened their club’s official website. “There’s information. about us here.
Alaric carefully compared the photos on the website with their appearances before nodding solemnly. “Let’s talk in the restaurant. It’s my treat.
They ate on the
the second floor of the restaurant. The food tasted good and was not
expensive.
As the trio ate, they explained their club to Alaric, as well as their analysis, evaluation, expectations, career plans for him, and so on. They also elaborated in detail the treatment they could provide for him.
Even if Alaric had never really been in the tennis circle, he knew that the conditions offered by the club were not bad. It was a godsend to him. However, he did not agree immediately. He told them. “Before we shake on it. I want to confess why I gave up basketball.”
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Chapter 192
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Because there was no evidence, Alaric did not specify which game it was. He only said he had once refused to throw a game in a professional competition and offended a big shot. Therefore, he was blacklisted from the basketball circle and had no choice but to withdraw from the sport.
Alaric looked at the trio. If this happens again. I will still refuse to throw the game. Are you okay with this?”
The trio looked at each other.
Aiden, who looked a little traditional, serious, and rarely spoke, slammed a hand on the table. I like players who don’t admit defeat, have a backbone, and are very competitive. You’ll do.
Alice said. “I support your choice too. However, if I occasionally let you play with clients, fans, tennis enthusiasts, children,
“T or participate in unofficial friendly competitions, will you still try your best to win? Can you give in a little too?”
Alaric was stunned. After thinking about it carefully for a moment, he shook his head. ‘I’m not that rigid. As long as it’s fair and just, and doesn’t harm anyone or damage the honor of a club or country, I won’t take those private friendly matches seriously.”
Those were different from his basketball match with Hataland. In that competition, they represented their country and many spectators were cheering for them. There was no way they could deliberately lose to Hataland.
Alice nodded. “It’s good that you can think that way. She paused and her expression became serious. “Our club’s goal is to challenge ourselves and train more and better local players to enter the international arena and win more glory.
Therefore, the club will never require players to lose deliberately, nor will it tolerate players doing that. If you choose our club, we will do our best to train you into an outstanding professional player and give you enough room to develop.”
Randy waited for the other two to finish before he smiled and said, “A player who doesn’t want to win isn’t a good player. Your choice makes me think more highly of you.”
Alaric heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. “Since you think so, I’m all good.”
Both sides were happy. They finalized the various details of the contract over the meal.
At 5:30 PM., Athena picked Alaric up for his birthday party in her car.
As soon as Alaric saw her, he ran over to her, as excited as a child “Athena, I have great news for you. The higher-ups of the Endover Tennis Club came to look for me at noon today.
They said they wanted to sign a contract with me and train me to become a professional tennis player or even a tennis star. Whether I can become a
ar or not isn’t important. What is important is that I have the chance to play in the Grand Slam in the future. Aren’t I amazing? Aren’t I lucky?”
“Of course, you’re great.” Athena smiled, “Didn’t I say that when one path is closed to you, another will open to you?. However, you embarked on the path to the professional tennis circle with your ability. It isn’t by luck.”
“Athena” Alaric looked at her, moved. His eyes were red and he choked out, “You brought me good luck. If you hadn’t taken me to the club to play tennis, I might never be able to fulfill my tennis dream.”
Athena patted his shoulder gently. “Don’t be overly moved. You have a bright future ahead of you.”
“Athena” Alaric was even more touched. He stared at her for a few seconds before suddenly bursting into loud sobs. He hugged her arm, buried his face in her shoulder, and wailed, “Athena, to be honest, 1-1 was afraid of being embarrassed and making everyone worry so I didn’t dare to tell anyone.
“After the accident, I felt terrible, I hid under the blanket and cried almost every night. I even wanted to jump off a building…