They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 541: Stubborn Girl This had to be done by her. Win or lose, it didn't matter, this was her fight.

Lord, help me, Nnenna said silently, folding her fists.

"Begin!" The referee's sharp voice cut through the arena.

Arthur's posture changed instantly, he leaned forward in his seat, elbows on his knees, eyes locked on the stage.

Carl stopped mid sentence, his joking expression fading.

Somto's gaze sharpened, fixed on Nnenna like she was the only thing that existed.

Stephanie didn't even bother bowing. Instead, she smirked, already stepping forward like this was a chore she wanted to finish.

"She didn't bow," one of the live stream commentators said, voice laced with faux surprise.

"Guess respect isn't part of the Knox sibling's gplan today." The moment Nnenna moved, Stephanie was already on her, fast, precise, and merciless. The first hit slammed into Nnenna's ribs, forcing her back a step. She didn't fall.

"That's one!" a judge called out, marking the point.

"Too easy," Stephanie thought, circling her like a predator. She doesn't stand a chance. Why is she even here? Nnenna braced herself for the next attack.

It charder. Stephanie's heel smashed into her thigh. Pain exploded, but Nnenna swallowed the cry.

In the VIP seats, Carl's hands curled into fists. She's too fast for her...

"Don't stop! Keep pressing her, Stephanie!" Nicholas shouted from the sidelines, eyes gleaming with pride forgetting the pain and shof losing to Nnenna.

Their father, Damian Knox, sat relaxed, arms crossed, watching with the faintest smile. "Good," he murmured. "Show them how it's done." His tone was cold, no hint of concern for the girl being knocked around. He hadn't forgotten how Carl had treated his children, and by extension, he blamed Nnenna for it too.

But Elder Knox? His expression was grim. He leaned forward slightly, tapping his cane against the floor. This is unnecessary. She's already outmatched, Stephanie doesn't need to humiliate her.

The crowd was a mix of awe and discomfort.

"Wow, Stephanie's on another level." "Poor girl, she's still standing though... how?" "An hour? No way she can last that long." Ten minutes in, Nnenna had already taken blow after blow, shoulder, ribs, knee. Each strike made Carl's chest tighten, made Arthur's jaw clench harder, made Somto's fingers twitch like he wanted to run onto the stage.

"She's stubborn," Arthur thought, but stubborn doesn't win against someone like Stephanie. She's bleeding energy... and she knows it.

But... he still believed she would win.

Regardless of the pain, Nnenna got up. Every time.

Thirty minutes. Her breathing was ragged, her legs shaky. Stephanie's hair barely had a strand out of place.

"You should just quit," Stephanie taunted between hits, loud enough for the front rows to hear. "Save yourself the embarrassment." Nnenna spat out blood to the side. "Not happening." "She's insane," Stephanie thought, half irritated, half impressed. Fine. Let's see how much more you can take.

"Con, Nnenna," Carl urged under his breath. Don't give her the satisfaction.

"She's... still standing," a live streamer whispered. "I'm actually starting to root for her." An hour passed. Nnenna had fallen five times, each one slower to get up than the last. But she did get up. Every single time.

Stephanie planted her foot on the mat, looking down at her with a smug grin. "Face it, you can't touch me." Nicholas was grinning from ear to ear, clapping. "That's my sister." Damian Knox nodded once, pleased. "Exactly as expected." Elder Knox exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "And exactly what I feared." The fight continued...

The air was thick with the sound of fists striking flesh, the thud of feet hitting the stage floor, and the occasional sharp gasp from the crowd.

Stephanie's attacks were relentless, sharp, calculated, each one a hammer blow meant not just to win, but to grind Nnenna into the dirt. She wasn't even pretending to hold back anymore.

"Get up!" Stephanie snarled as Nnenna staggered to one knee, blood streaking down the side of her face. "I'm not done yet." Carl's knuckles turned white around the railing. She's not even giving her breathing space. This isn't a duel anymore... it's punishment.

On the judges' platform, Master Instructor Tayo's brows drew low. "Her technique is excellent, but her discipline..." He exhaled sharply. "She's letting personal emotions cloud the match." Commander Olivia's lips thinned. "She's toying with her opponent. Not commendable." From the crowd, cheers and jeers mixed "Stephanie's killing it! Look at that footwork!" "Killing it? She's breaking the poor girl!" "Con, Nnenna! Hang in there!" On the livestream, the comments flooded in @MartialNerd23: "Damn, she's lasted over an HOUR against Stephanie?! Respect." @KickQueen: "Stephanie's savage lol." @ElderFan: "Elder Knox doesn't look impressed tho []."

Elder Knox's expression was indeed stone hard, eyes narrowing at his granddaughter's every move. "Victory means little when achieved without honor," he muttered under his breath.

From his seat, Damian Knox crossed his arms, smirking faintly. "She m should have known better than to stand against my children. Carl's choices... have consequences."

Arthur's eyes never left Nnenna. His jaw was clenched so tight a muscle ticked in his cheek. She's losing... but she won't give up. That's her all over. Stubborn girl. But good for her.

Stephanie smirked mid combination. Look at her, still trying. She doesn't know when she's beaten. Fine. I'll end this with a clean sweep.

Somto's chest ached with every hit Nnenna took. If she goes down again... I swear I'll- Then it happened.

A brutal spin kick from Stephanie slammed into Nnenna's ribs, sending her sprawling hard against the stage floor.

She didn't get up.

"Nnenna!" Carl half rose, his voice sharp with panic.

Arthur's body tensed, ready to jump in.

Somto's hands gripped the railing so tightly his knuckles went bone white.

On the judges' stand, Tayo's voice cut sharp. "Referee=" But then... something shifted.

Inside Nnenna's mind...

The roar of the crowd faded. The pain in her ribs dulled.

She was somewhere else, on the edge of what seemed like a cliff.

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