Chapter 10: The Silver Arrow Threat

The mood grew heavy. I looked out the window and changed the subject.

"Silver Arrow’s backer is an entertainment company, right?"

"Yeah, Silver Arrow’s boss Eric Grant is the CEO of Horizon Entertainment. The company went big into e-sports last year."

I lowered my head. This past half month, rumors about Caleb and Riley trended every few days. Silver Arrow was hyping them up, using Riley as the league’s first female pro as a marketing hook.

*[Did you watch last night’s stream? Caleb sent Riley a mountain of gifts, and they duo-queued all night!]*

*[Yeah, tonight’s ranked night—Caleb’s helping her climb to national rank.]*

*[So much love for the main girl! I remember when the side chick asked the star player to help her rank her support account, he said he was too busy with practice. The difference between love and not-love is huge.]*

I was speechless.

It’s been half a month since the breakup—why does the comment section still drag me out as a backdrop?

*[LOL, why bring up the side chick? Focus on the leads!]*

*[By the way, aren’t Caleb and Riley in talks for that e-sports reality show?]*

I knew about that. Horizon Entertainment was planning an e-sports reality show called "Clash at the Summit."

My dad had business with Horizon before. He said Eric Grant looked like he’d stepped out of a Shark Tank episode—always hustling, always selling, and cared about marketing above all. He’d burn out his own talent for the sake of exposure.

"The autumn split is next month."

"Mark, I’ll need you to lead the starting lineup for now."

"Okay."

"But the team’s still gelling. If results aren’t great this split, keep your expectations in check."

Mark gave me a meaningful look. I knew—everything takes time.

I pressed my palm against the cool glass of the window, the city lights blinking far below, and made a silent promise to myself: this time, I’d build something stronger. No more investing in people who saw me as a stepping stone.