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  Part- 328:

  Meanwhile, Sourov stood nearby, unusually quiet, his eyes glued to the audience. His broad frame was still as a statue, a far cry from his usual animated presence. James followed his gaze and noticed Sourov staring at a beautiful woman iands. She wore a sleek navy dress that seemed to catch every glimmer of light, her long hair casg in waves.

  James leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Sourov... that yirlfriend?"

  Sourov recoiled as if James had just suggested he kiss a jellyfish. "Are you out of your mind? That’s my sister."

  James blinked. “Oh.”

  Srimaced. "And besides, even if she *wasn’t* my sister, do you think I’d date someohat* ugly?"

  James gawked at him like he’d just announced he was allergic to gravity. "*Ugly?*"

  The woman, in James's opinion, could have walked straight off a magazine cover. If this was Sourov’s definition of ugly, then James figured angels might not meet his standards.

  James shook his head in disbelief. “Your standards are ridiculous, man. What are you expeg, some goddess who hand-delivers ambrosia?”

  Sourov shrugged, still locked on his sister like she might turn into a hologram if he blinked. “Beauty is subjective.”

  Ryan leaned in, smirking. "Yeah, well, in your case, beauty seems imaginary."

  Save him a slow, deliberate side-eye that said, *"Watch your back ter."*

  Just as James turned back to the crowd, he spotted his own family iands. His mom waved enthusiastically, her smile practically glowing with maternal pride.

  Right o her, though, sat Lily, James’s sister—and her expression was anything but warm. She had her arms crossed, brows drawn so tight they might have been welded together, and her gre cut through the crowd like a ser beam of disappoi.

  James flinched slightly. He khat look all too well.

  Their eyes locked, and Lily’s scowl deepened. Without a word, she mouthed a simple, crystal-clear message: **"Win... or else."**

  James swallowed hard, feeling the weight of that unspoken threat. Lily’s version of *“or else”* didn’t involve scolding uilt trips. No, she specialized in passive-aggressive training regimens disguised as “bonding time.” If he lost today, his weekend would vanish into a bck hole of sparring drills and bag work.

  Ryan noticed James’s expression shift. “What’s the matter, man? You look like you just saw the Grim Reaper.”

  James sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, except she’s wearing a ponytail and sitting in row three."

  Ryan followed his gaze and spotted Lily. He already met her before when he went James house. He also heard what kind of person she is from James. "Oof. Good luck surviving that if you lose."

  "Tell me about it," James muttered. "She’s got a new workout routine called *‘Victory through Pain.’* It’s about as fun as it sounds."

  Srinned mischievously. "I think she’s just trying to motivate you."

  James shot him a look. “Motivate? This isn’t motivation—it’s bckmail with gym equipment.”

  Ryan chuckled. “So, between my dad’s life-coag speeches and your sister’s boot camp from hell, we’re really out here living the dream, huh?”

  The group dissolved into ughter again, the pre-petition tension easing bit by bit. Just then, Coach Gin walked over, g his hands together.

  "Alright, boys, focus up! We’re here to win, not host a edy show. James, you good? You ready for this?"