Chapter 390 Tough Words, Soft Heart
After she sent the message, Winston went silent again. The pause stretched on–long enough that Jean started to think he might not reply at all-
Then suddenly, a new message popped up from Winston.
Winston texted: “He really… said that to you?”
Jean didn’t respond right away. She just stared at the message for a few seconds.
Even though it was only plain text, she could almost see it–Winston’s hesitation, his confusion, that flicker of emotion he didn’t quite know how to express…
She couldn’t help but start typing.
Jean texted: “Of course it’s true. So can you not be so harsh with him? It’s just a game–you don’t even have to see him in person. And I’m the one who talked him into joining the team. If you kick him now, that’s basically undermining me. Can’t you just let him stay?”
Jean no longer held out hope that the two of them would resolve their misunderstanding and make up.
One of them had gone full zen, the other was like a hedgehog–bristling and reactive.
Jean didn’t have the energy to force it anymore.
But she didn’t want Winston to kick Dalton out of the team over some old grudge–especially when she’d worked so hard to convince him to join.
That would be so humiliating for Dalton.
Just as she was thinking that, Winston sent another message.
Winston replied: “Fine. I won’t kick him while we’re still playing together. We’ll talk after the tournament.”
His quick agreement caught Jean off guard.
She’d expected to have to wear him down first–with coaxing, bargaining, maybe even a little begging….
So-
Jean shook her head, half–amused. This guy… he clearly didn’t just hate Dalton. Maybe there was still something left inside he hadn’t made peace with.
Jean texted: “Alright, it’s a deal. Thanks, Winston.”
Now that the matter was settled, she felt a lot better.
Just being able to keep Dalton on the team was already a win–that had been her goal from the start.
She immediately sent Dalton a message.
Jean texted: “Hey, you still online? I just talked to my brother. Don’t worry–I didn’t tell him anything you said. I just put in a good word for you. Turns out he’s kind of a softie under all that attitude–he agreed not to kick you off the team. But if you don’t want to stay on the team with him, that’s totally fine too. You were kind of treated unfairly, so it’s completely your call, haha. I’m the one who pulled you into all this, so I’ll
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Chapter 390 Tough Words, Soft Heart
take full responsibility!”
Dalton replied right away, he sent a thumbs–up emoji.
Dalton texted: “I’ll stay. I’ll keep playing with you guys.”
Jean replied: “Awesome! We can keep playing together!”
Dalton asked: “Playing together? You’re on the team too?”
Jean’s smile twitched. Uh–oh.
She’d gotten too excited and accidentally let that slip. But really, what was the point in hiding it anymore?
Dalton had shared so much of himself with her–it was only right she be honest too.
Jean texted: “I never told you this, but I’m Wingflare. I’ve been on the team this whole time.”
Dalton replied: “Can’t say I’m all that surprised.”
His reaction was way more chill than she’d expected..
Jean texted: “Wow, you’re taking this really well.”
Dalton explained: “It made sense. You recognized the game logo and went out of your way to invite me to the squad—that told me you weren’t some newcomer. You probably knew the game inside and out.”
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