NovelOnlineEven Sloane couldn't help but look at the head coach with anticipation all over her
face.
The coach snapped his fingers. “It’s today. Right now!”
“Huh?” The surprise hit so suddenly that no one quite knew how to react.
“Let's go to the training room.” With a wave of his arm, the coach led the way, and everyone hurried after him,
whispering to each other about what this mysterious legend might look like.
The training room was already packed-leaders who rarely showed up were present too. It was clear how
seriously Blackhawk regarded Team 9's top-tier legend.
Sloane sat in the front row, her heart a mix of excitement and unease. Finally, the conference room door swung
open, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.
A tall figure stepped inside, dressed in a perfectly tailored, handmade black suit. His expression was stern, his
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtstride steady and commanding.
The moment Sloane saw that familiar face, she froze in place.
“Lucas?” she murmured under her breath, disbelief filling her eyes.
Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd. They might not have known the identity of the elusive Team 9
legend, but when it cto Lucas from the Hawthorne Group, there wasn’t a soul at Stonebridge who didn’t
recognize him.
Lucas stepped up onto the stage. His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Sloane's face. The corners
of his mouth lifted slightly into a faint smile, as if he had expected her reaction all along.
The head coach stood beside him, visibly thrille
d. “Everyone, it’s our great honor to welcTeam 9's legendary master, Lucas. Not only is Mr. Hawthorne a
legend in the field of national cybersecurity, but he’s also helped elevate the discipline to a world-class level.
He's spent years in information security and
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trusted computing research, and has won five first-class and eight second-class National Science and
Technology Progress Awards. Known across the country as the Guardian of Cybersecurity, let's give him a warm
welcome!”
The room erupted in applause, but to Sloane, it was as if the sound didn’t exist. Her mind had gone completely
blank; she stared at Lucas, waves of emotion churning in her chest.
Team 9's legend is actually Lucas? She murmured to herself, her world momentarily tilted off balance.
Lucas stood tall at the front of the room, his eyes never leaving her. His deep, steady voice began to walk them
through cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies and strategies.
His teaching was clear and accessible; each detail dissected thoroughly and explained in a way anyone could
understand. The students hung on every word, captivated.
Sloane found herself blinking out of her haze. She stared at Lucas, his stern expression, the depth in his gaze,
the calm authority in the way he moved and spoke. This is the first tI've ever seen this side of Lucas.
There was no denying it—he was a phenomenal instructor. He had a way of taking the most complex material
and turning it into something approachable and easy
to grasp.
Without even realizing it, Sloane found herself drawn in by his energy and clarity.
As Lucas spoke, he subtly watched her from the corner of his eye. Seeing her fully engaged and focused on him,
his lips curved ever so slightly.
When the lecture ended, Lucas didn’t leave right away. Instead, he stepped down from the stage and walked-one
deliberate step at a time—until he stood directly
in front of Sloane.
His gaze was warm and deep, his voice tinged with satisfaction. “Sloane, cwithfor a moment.”
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The other team members froze for a second before it clicked-Sloane and Lucas used to be engaged. With the
recent rumors about their broken engagement still swirling, everyone couldn't help sneaking glances, curious to
see how Sloane would react.
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