The Million-Dollar Heart novel Chapter 163

Tristan and Arabella shared a knowing glance before they turned on their heels and strolled back to their cluster of classmates, the boys who'd chosen to participate in the game.

However, the mood in Class Eighteen was quite somber.

Logan frowned as he looked at the boys in his class, frustration evident in his voice. "Guys, are you really that scared? We're a class of over twenty boys, and only Oberon and I have the guts to step up?"

Counting Percival, they were still short of two players.

"Well... we're afraid of losing..." A boy mumbled weakly. "We aren't exactly known for our skills in basketball. If we lose, Mr. Ellington and Ms. Vivienne would have to kneel down to that jerk in public."

After he finished speaking, he shot nervous glances at Percival and Vivienne.

"We can't just lose without even trying!" Oberon was nearly livid with the cowardice displayed by his classmates.

Where had the spirit of Class Eighteen gone?

But the boys just looked at each other, still hesitant to step forward.

"Fine, I'll do it."

The students of Class Eighteen turned to look in surprise as a girl with short hair and a rather unremarkable appearance stepped forward. She was wearing a loose-fitting sports uniform and sporting silver-rimmed glasses. She addressed Percival amid the surprised stares of her classmates.

"Mr. Ellington, can girls play too?"

"Do you know how to play basketball?" Percival asked, eyeing her doubtfully.

Vivienne gave the girl a once-over. She remembered her name was Anna. An average-looking girl with middling grades. Anna was practically invisible in Class Eighteen.

The only thing that made her stand out was her height. She was at least 5'8'' and was always seated at the back of the class, often tucked away in the shadows whenever Vivienne visited.

Vivienne hardly had any impression of her.

So when Anna stepped forward, it took everyone by surprise. The entire class looked at her with doubtful eyes, questioning whether she could actually play basketball.

Instead of responding, Anna picked up a basketball from the nearby basket and dribbled it all the way to the three-point line. She jumped up, took a shot, and scored. All in one smooth motion.

The basketball swished through the net, causing a stir among the students of Class Eighteen, who all looked at Anna in amazement.

"Is that okay?" Anna asked Percival.

"You're great." Percival nodded in approval, having noticed that Anna's basketball skills were top-notch.

"We're still missing one more person though." Logan pointed out, his expression a mix of awe and frustration as he glared at the boys of Class Eighteen. "Are you guys really going to let a girl show you up?"

The boys of Class Eighteen remained silent.

"Guess I'll have to do it then." Vivienne said with her hands tucked into her pockets.

Everyone turned to look at her in surprise.

"Ms. Vivienne, are you sure you can handle it?" Oberon looked at her skeptically, the same doubt he had for Anna reflected in his gaze.

Vivienne picked up a basketball and spun it on her finger, cocking her head to look at Oberon. "You don't think I can?"