Toby pressed a hand on his own shoulder. “I’m fine.”
“Really?” Tyler was still slightly concerned.
Toby grunted. “Yeah.”
“Okay, great.” Tyler heaved a sigh of relief before checking on Sonia. “What about you, Sonia?”
“I’m fine too.” Sonia shook her head. Being under Toby’s protection, she was unharmed.
Seeing red, Tyler turned around to glare at the players of Team Kosovo after making sure that both Toby and Sonia are alright. “Those b*stards! They pulled such dirty tricks just because they can’t win against me! I’ll teach them a lesson!”
Tyler clenched his fists while storming back to the court in a bout of savage fury, ready to pick a fight with Team Kosovo. In the end, his teammates managed to hold him back, so the fight didn’t break out. After all, both teams would be banned from the competition if that happened.
“Are you really alright?” Sonia had heard Toby’s grunt. Unlike Tyler, she didn’t believe that he was alright.
Knowing that he couldn’t lie to her, Toby simply told her, “The ball hit my shoulder, but I’m fine.”
“Is that so…” Sonia’s lashes trembled as she was at a loss for words. After a few seconds, she managed to suppress the emotions within her to look at him and ask, “Why did you save me when you could have just left me alone?”
Toby lowered his gaze to hide the look in his eyes before replying calmly, “That player threw the ball because he felt humiliated for being unable to win against Tyler. Tyler had looked in our direction multiple times, so the player guessed that we must be who Tyler cares about. In order to deal a psychological blow to Tyler, he threw the ball at us.”
“So that’s what happened.” Sonia frowned. To vent their frustrations for losing on the audience, Team Kosovo’s players sure are depraved!
Then, Toby added, “Since the ball was thrown at you because of Tyler, he would feel guilty if it hurt you. As his older brother, I am responsible for preventing such an outcome.”
“I see,” Sonia replied coolly as a smile tugged on her lips. Inwardly, she was mocking herself. So he only saved me for Tyler’s sake. What a shame. Everything was merely wishful thinking on my part. Immediately, the faint embers of hope that started glowing again in Sonia’s heart got distinguished into nothing.
At that moment, the manager of the stadium came along with two staff members to apologize to them. “I’m sorry, sir, madam. Are you two alright?”
“His shoulder is injured. Please arrange a doctor for him.” Sonia pointed at Toby.
The manager nodded. “Sure. Please come with us to the lounge.”
“Okay,” Sonia answered. No matter the case, Toby was injured because of her, so she should accompany him for treatment.
When Sonia stood up on her crutches, Toby reached out to her. “Let me help you!”
After glancing at his hand, Sonia declined the offer with a blank expression. “No need. I’m fine on my own.” With that, she led the way.
Toby pulled his lips into a thin line when he noticed how gingerly she walked, yet still rejected his assistance. Nonetheless, he quelled the irritation that was bubbling up within him after putting his hand down to follow behind her.
When they arrived at the lounge, Toby removed his jacket and shirt to reveal his sturdy upper body so that the doctor could treat him. Sonia sat across from him on the sofa while staring at his shoulder. The skin on it was an angry red, which indicated just how hard the ball had hit him.
If he hadn’t blocked it for me, I might have lost my teeth. Upon realizing that, Sonia felt a little terrified. Guilt seized her when she looked at his shoulder again. “President Fuller—”
Right when she was about to say something, Toby’s phone rang, which cut her off. He held a gentle gaze in his eyes after taking out the phone and checking the caller ID. “Tina.”
“Toby, are you alright?” Tina’s worried sobs came through the phone.
Toby narrowed his eyes. “You knew?”
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