"Huh? Did I hear it wrong?" AN asked with her eyebrows furrowed deeply.

At that moment she doubted whether she caught Sofia's message clearly. Her hands flew right on the side of her face. She slowly combed her blonde hair and gathered some of it behind her back.

"Sister AN, you have heard it correctly. My team, the Chronos squad, we have our press to handle our matters. Please decline the FDS Press Company," Sofia stated maintaining a friendly tone. Her voice was soft yet it was firm and resolute. One that does not leave any room to argue.

"D-decline? Eh? Are you saying that you don't want to be interviewed?" AN stood there confused.

She did hear her correctly! And such a response made her extremely surprise as she did not expect that a rejection would follow after she would tell the name of the press company.

'Why would they decline to be interviewed? Can a newly formed squad obtain their private press? That would seem to be more than impossible!' several questions formed inside the staff's mind while she was caught in a daze...

... And it was not just the staff that was taken aback by Sofia's rejection.

All the Chronos members failed to anticipate such refusal from Sofia as well. They were sure that they have no connection with any press, however, Sofia claimed they have!

'When did we get a private press?' they mentally asked but they concealed the trace of confusion on their face.

Sofia's team pretended that they were calm and composed but on the inside, they were also bewildered.

They did not dare to ask Sofia directly for the staff was still in their booth, they knew that it would be inappropriate for them to speak about what they were thinking.

"Miss, are you serious to reject the interview? You are young and may not know the consequences. This is a good chance for your squad to gain publicity! Your team will gain a fanbase and large audience after the FDS Press Company interviewed your group!" AN could not help but emphasize the benefits of the interview to Sofia. She felt that the lady may not be aware of these details and needed to be informed.

"Sister AN, my squad has our own press, but, thank you for the invitation. The matter of publicity, our press will handle it," Sofia repeated.

"Okay, I will tell my team leader, miss! Good luck in your next game!" she murmured and took a deep breath. She felt that it was a waste of opportunity but there was nothing she can do about it.

When AN realized that she had nothing to speak anymore, she offered a slight bow and hurriedly stormed out of the booth.

Her elegant figure retreating away from the group maintained gracefulness as she sprinted to the hallway.

Not long after striding on the hallway, she turned left and walked back to the room where her team leader and the female interviewer were already waiting for her arrival.

As she entered, her team leader frowned when no one was following behind her. The arrangement was for the Chronos squad to be interviewed, however, this staff did not bring even a single member of the Chronos squad!

"Why are you alone? Where are they?" the team leader stood from her seat and asked AN.

"This... The squad had rejected the interview. They said that they have a private press," AN lowered her gaze as she responded.

"Private press?! They don't even have any background before this tournament! How can this group have a private press?" the team leader's face turned sour.

"I don't know, but this is what their team captain said. She said that the matters of their publicity would be handled by their private press!" AN spoke referring to Sofia.

"Team Captain? Let me deal with her!" the team leader spoke and quickly exited the room. AN was left staring at the door blankly. Somehow, she was worried about the Chronos squad. Her team leader might shame them!

~

At this point, Jing Jing wandered in the hallway and was heading towards the restroom.

The sound of the host announcing the next round's match arrangement could be heard clearly.

She tried to glance around the booth but failed to notice Sofia's figure. She only looked at the other players before she proceeded to walk.

On the small intersection, the team leader on haste had almost bumped Jing Jing, as they walked into the same path.

Fortunately, Jing Jing was quick to step back and managed to dodge the figure before they both would slam their bodies.

"How rude," Jing Jing whispered to herself as the staff did not even mutter an apology for their almost accidental encounter. She looked at the staff while taking a long breath.

"Some staff lacks for decency! Sigh!" Jing Jing finally continued to heed on her way. When she pried the door of the restroom open another person was about to get out from the inside. As she looked up, a familiar woman also appeared in front of her.

"Oh? What are you doing here? Our company will cover this tournament, miss!" the woman arched her brows while glaring at Jing Jing.

Jing Jing bit her lips in annoyance. 'First, I almost bumped at that staff. Now, I am facing Drake's new girl! So many troublesome people coming at me!' she inwardly lamented.

Seeing that Jing Jing did not respond to her, the lady waved her hands in front of Jing Jing's face and called her loudly, "Hey!"

"I'm an audience. Anyway, you miss... listen, me staying in this tournament is none of your business!" Jing Jing flipped her hair and left the woman.

Although the woman was her ex-boyfriend's new girl, she does not have animosity with her.

She only loathed Drake as the man betrayed her. But for his new woman, Jing Jing felt it was a waste of time to pay attention to her.

On the other side, the woman could only stomp her feet. She pointed her index finger at Jing Jing's back and angrily warned her.

"There is no room for your company in this tournament. You better stay out of our business or I will sue you! We have an exclusive contract with the tournament's organizer. If I see you doing a cover, you and your company's reputation will be done! I'll make sure of it!"

Hearing the vile words, Jing Jing did not look back. She continued to move her feet and enter the empty cubicle completely ignoring the arrogant woman behind her.