No Substitutes for the Bigshots' Dream Girl Anymore!-Chapter 1770: Arnold Simmons Extra (136)

Hannah saw him coming, and her eyes seemed to light up instantly. She stood up and ran towards him.

Taking a few steps down the stairs, Arnold Simmons reached out and firmly caught the little girl rushing into his arms.

The unease and frustration in his heart vanished in an instant.

"Why are you here?" Hannah looked up at him, her eyes filled with delight and surprise.

Arnold wrapped his arms around her waist, playfully ruffled her hair, and said warmly, "I came to take you to dinner."

The sky was turning to dusk, and the sound of a whistle came from the basketball court.

Watching the intimate interactions between the two, the boys who thought it was their chance had their crushed hopes scattered all over the ground once again.

Who was the bastard spreading rumors that the school beauty was single!

This looks like a breakup to you?!

They were practically throwing dog food everywhere!

Nick Cooper was also here for today’s game. Originally, he had planned to use a victory as an excuse to invite Hannah to join them for dinner. But now... it seemed...

"Wasn’t it said the school beauty was already single? Guess the forum posts can’t be trusted after all. Nick, you’ve lost your chance again."

Nick’s expression darkened as he threw the basketball in his hands to the ground, and it just so happened to roll to the feet of the boy who spoke.

The others realized something, and quickly tried to ease the atmosphere. "The game’s about to start, let’s go warm up first. Look at all the girls watching today — maybe one of them is your future girlfriend. This is your chance to shine."

The group of boys chimed in, agreeing with each other.

Nick ignored them and walked decisively toward the bleachers.

He was already one of the most popular figures in the school, and there were plenty of girls who knew him or secretly liked him. Once they saw him walking over, the spectators erupted into a commotion.

But what really sent the crowd into a frenzy was Nick blocking Arnold Simmons.

The moment their gazes locked, the air was thick with tension, like a ticking bomb ready to explode.

Yet even under such pressure, Nick still came up a bit short compared to Arnold’s imposing demeanor.

"How about a match?" Nick was the first to speak.

His gaze lingered on Hannah for a moment before returning to Arnold, his tone dripping with overt provocation.

Seeing his cold stare, Arnold merely smirked faintly. "Right now?"

Nick nodded, then deliberately taunted, "What, don’t tell me you’re scared."

Arnold gave him a calm look without answering, then turned to lightly ruffle Hannah’s hair, speaking gently, "Wait for me here, okay?"

Hannah understood he was going to take up the challenge and didn’t stop him. "Alright."

Arnold took off his glasses and handed them, along with his jacket, to Hannah. "Go sit up there. I’ll be back soon."

Hannah obediently nodded.

The moment Arnold and Nick stepped onto the court, they ignited frenzied screams from the spectators.

The game had already begun, with no warm-ups or build-up. The two went head-to-head immediately, leaving no breathing room for the other.

Nick had always been confident in his basketball skills; otherwise, he wouldn’t have recklessly challenged Arnold.

But after Arnold sank three consecutive three-pointers, Nick began to lose his composure, the emotions in his eyes surging with anger and frustration.

He was unwilling, unwilling to lose to Arnold, and unwilling to accept that, despite chasing Hannah for so long, he hadn’t even gotten a single extra glance from her.

The basketball smacked against the backboard with loud clangs, echoing through the humid and stifling afternoon. Accompanied by unrestrained fury, the entire court was on fire.

Nick bent over, hands braced on his knees, his chest heaving violently.

He had never before felt the hoop so agonizingly out of reach.