Chapter 15 Getting Close To The Truth
“Yeah, she looked really anxious, and her hands were way less steady than usual.”
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The team members leaned toward each other, whispering as they replayed the scene in their heads.
Their eyes drifted up to Jesse in the stands, watching calmly as if she had everything figured
out.
One muttered under his breath, “If Jesse were on our side, no way we’d have lost.”
Mike’s jaw tightened. Their words stung, but what hit harder was something Jesse herself had
said.
His face darkened further, and he snapped, “You knew Taylor’s drone was running low on power, didn’t you? Why didn’t you warn her?”
A hush swept through the group.
Right—that explains everything. She must have noticed the weak battery long before the crash, which is why she could predict the outcome so easily.
Jesse arched a brow, her voice dripping with disdain. “Why should I? I’m not on your team. And isn’t checking your own equipment the most basic part of competing? If you can’t manage that, don’t turn around and blame me for it.”
Awkward silence followed.
Everyone remembered how, back when Jesse was still part of the squad, she had always handled the grunt work–running checks, reminding them again and again until problems were fixed.
Now, without her, they had been forced to do it themselves. And only now did they realize just how much they had taken her efforts for granted.
Then, every gaze in the room shifted to Taylor.
Jesse had once been the one who handled all the details, but Taylor couldn’t even manage herself, let alone a drone.
Taylor’s eyes welled with tears as she clutched Mike’s arm, her voice trembling. “Mike, I swear I didn’t mean to mess it up. I was just so nervous. Jesse never taught me any of this… And even if she isn’t on the team anymore, she shouldn’t just stand there and watch. Mike, doesn’t it hurt
you most?”
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Through her fingers, Taylor sneaked a glare at Jesse, sharp and venomous, though her tone. stayed soft, weak, and almost pitiful.
“If I were kicked off the team, I’d never just watch Mike lose without lifting a finger.”
Jesse’s face hardened, her stare colder with each word Taylor spun.
Taylor sniffled, fragile as glass.
Mike’s anger ebbed, replaced with pity. His expression shifted as he turned on Jesse, resentment clouding his eyes.
It was always the same–whatever Taylor said, they swallowed whole without a second thought.
“Taylor’s right. We’re family. How could you be this petty? If you’d just spoken up, we wouldn’t have lost!” Mike’s voice grew harsher, feeding off his own anger. “Jesse, you’re so d*mn petty!”
Jesse gave a short laugh, sharp as a blade. “Oh, she’s generous, is she? Then, she should prove it first–get kicked off the team, show she’s capable enough to predict mistakes from nothing but a weak battery. Until then, all she does is pretend. Talking big without skill is just pathetic.”
Her words rang out, and though Jesse stood still, her posture radiated a quiet dominance. The way she looked down at them made her seem taller, stronger, untouchable.
Taylor recoiled under the weight of her gaze, clutching her chest as tears streamed down again. Her voice cracked, whispering, “You’re right, Jesse. I’ll remember that…”
Mike’s fury cooled, and in an instant, he wrapped Taylor protectively in his arms.
“That’s enough, Jesse! Her brother saved your life once–don’t you feel a shred of gratitude? How can you treat Taylor like this?”
Taylor buried her face deeper against Mike’s chest, her lips twitching into a secret smile where no one could see.
Of course, Mike would always defend her. Jesse must be seething by now.
But Jesse’s face stayed blank, her expression flat as glass. No anger, no frustration–nothing at
all.
“So her brother’s gone, and I’m supposed to repay her by handing over all five of mine? Still not enough?” Jesse’s tone was cold, steady.
“That’s not the same!” Mike snapped back. “Taylor’s brother gave his life for you–he’s never coming back. We only scolded you for making mistakes, and we still treat you like family. But you? You’re the one who ran away. And now you dare say you want to give us to Taylor?”
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He thought he was being generous–offering her a way back, expecting just an apology so everything could return to normal.
The truth was, Taylor wasn’t talented enough to stand on her own.
Even if she played later, she’d need Jesse to guide her first.
Sure, Mike could train her, but that would cut into his own practice. Teaching beginners was exhausting, and Jesse had always been good at it.
From his view, Jesse was the problem: hurting Taylor, then sulking instead of admitting fault.
Jesse frowned, her thoughts sharpening. Unless she uncovered what had really happened with Taylor’s brother, they would weaponize it against her forever.
Her hand went to her temple, as though something had just stirred in her memory.
“You know,” she said slowly, “I’ve always wondered—why was the warehouse door locked that day? It was wide open before.”
Taylor’s face went deathly pale.
In a rush, she clung to Mike, burying her head into his chest, her entire body trembling.
“Mike, please… just stop. Don’t blame Jesse anymore.”
Stop talking, stop remembering.
If Jesse keeps going–if she actually pieces everything together–what then?
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