Chapter 256
Dane expressed his thanks and quickly handed out the items to everyone.
“Come on, guys, play hard. You’ve got this next game,” Flora encouraged, seeing their downcast faces.
“If those jerks don’t cheat, we can definitely win! The ref’s biased too, always favoring Cornett High. How are we supposed to play like this?” Alex, clutching his swollen hand, was fuming.
“Next game, he won’t be your ref anymore,” Flora’s voice, though soft, carried a chilling certainty.
“Flora, what do you mean by that?” Dane asked, puzzled by her confidence.
Meanwhile, Jack was having a quiet word with the referee. “Thanks a lot. When I get back, I’ll put in a good word with my dad to get you into Sports Council.”
Jack’s father was the deputy director of Sports Council, which explained the referee’s favoritism.
“I’ll need one more favor. You know Dane, the forward from Westbrook High, right? I want him out of the game for good.”
The referee flinched at Jack’s ruthless request. Destroying Dane’s future over a grudge? But with Dane’s ordinary background, it was clear who he’d side with.
The referee gritted his teeth, “Don’t worry, Jack, I’ll take care of it. I’ve had enough of Dane too.”
Suddenly, a disturbance erupted outside the court. A group of men in suits strode in.
Jack instinctively looked over. There were about ten of them, and while he didn’t know three, the rest were from Sports Council, including his father, George.
“Dad!” Jack ran over, beaming.
Dane and his teammates from Westbrook High looked even more dismayed. Everyone knew George was the deputy director. They were sure he was there to support Jack.
“My dad’s here. You’re all finished,” Jack sneered at Dane, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
He walked briskly to George, missing the stormy look on his father’s face. “Dad, why are you here. You-”
“Smack!” The sharp sound of a slap cut Jack off mid–sentence.
Clutching his cheek, he stared at George in disbelief. “Dad, why did you hit me!”
George wanted to do more than slap him. “You disgrace! What have
you
done!”
Seething, he slapped Jack again, making both cheeks swell.
“Mr. George, what is this about?” the referee stammered, bewildered.
“Are you the referee?” George’s glare was icy as he eyed the badge around the man’s neck. “Your job is to be fair, which you clearly failed
at.”
The referee paled as George continued, “Effective immediately, you’re fired. Sports Council has blacklisted you. You’ll never work in sports again.”
The referee’s mouth gaped as he tried to defend himself, “I was just helping your son-
“Shut up!” George snapped, barely restraining from kicking him. “Helping my son? You were ruining him.”
Ignoring the referee, George scanned the room and strode toward Flora and the others.
