Vulture strode over in a black racing suit. “I don’t care if you’re Gale or not. Today, I’m going to defeat you.”
“I’ve heard of you and even watched your videos. Not bad, you’ve got room for improvement. But beating me? Maybe in a hundred years,” Kaia shot back.
Vulture scoffed. “Damn, you’re cocky!”
Kaia leaned in slightly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, sorry. Not even in a million years.”
Vulture smiled. “I hope you’re Gale. And I hope you’ll be ashamed of what you just said!”
Kaia wagged her finger, looking serious. “You really won’t get that chance.”
“Calling you arrogant isn’t enough. You’re downright conceited!” Vulture’s face flushed.
Kaia said coolly, “Arrogant, conceited. Call it what you want. I’ve got the skills to back it up.”
“Fine! Let’s see if you really have the skills to match! Tonight, we settle this!” Vulture decided he’d teach her a hard lesson. He would show her what happened when she was arrogant with him.
Conrad cut in. “Not tonight. Don’t forget. This is just the preliminaries. The finals are in a week.”
The race for the Pioneer Retreat development rights had drawn not only top dogs from Morganburg, but also from other first–tier cities, over a hundred competing factions.
Racing all together was impossible, so they drew lots, splitting racers into ten groups. Predictably, Kaia and Vulture weren’t in the same one.
“Looks like you’re lucky tonight.” Vulture sneered. “Better hope you don’t get eliminated in the first round. Wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself.”
“Right back at you,” Kaia replied, utterly unfazed.
She wasn’t worried. Some people, however, were.
Gideon stared at Kaia’s car for a while, then told the man beside him, “Tell the Ponce, Carr, and Horton families to drop out of the race and focus on blocking that so–called Gale’s car. If necessary, they can…”
He made a throat–slitting gesture.
His man replied, “Understood.”
A whistle blew. The race began.
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Kaia had barely shot forward when a car behind slammed into her hard.
55 vouchers
Kaia grunted. The sudden impact knocked her head against the steering wheel. Her skull throbbed, her vision blurred.
“What the hell?” Russell was ready to storm out. “Seriously? You pull this kind of dirty stunt?”
Tobias’s eyes locked on the car that hit Kaia. He recognized it. “That’s the Horton family’s driver. They are related to the Fowler family. The head of the Horton family married Gideon’s aunt. No doubt they’re trying to knock Gale out of the competition.”
“Shameless!” Russell seethed. “If she gets hurt, I swear I won’t let the Fowler family off!”
Tobias said evenly, “You’ve got no proof. Go to them now, and they’ll just say their car malfunctioned. What can you do?”
“I…” Russell stammered, frustration burning in his chest. But he had to admit, Tobias had a point.
Russell said suddenly, “Wait a sec. You love racing too, and Gale’s practically your idol. Seeing her get bullied, how can you be so calm? You’re not worried?”
“She’s your idol, not mine. I like racing, but that doesn’t mean I worship Gale. Besides, she’s representing K&B, not the Moreno family. Even if something happens, it’s K&B’s loss, not mine,” Tobias said dispassionately.
“Wow. So there’s literally no one or nothing that can stir your emotions… except Kaia,” Russell muttered.
Kaia quickly regained her composure, refocusing. In her rearview mirror, she saw the same car trying to ram her again. She floored the accelerator.
Ahead was the first sharp turn. Any car here had to slow down. Even then, accidents were common.
“Damn! At this speed, she’s gonna crash. Maybe even get launched off the track!” Russell’s voice was tight with panic.
“She won’t make the turn,” Tobias said, brows knitting.
Miss Bennett, please don’t get hurt!‘ Conrad was praying.
Conrad wished he could slap himself. If he’d known Gideon was this shameless, he’d never have agreed to race. But he didn’t expect Kaia to be Gale.
“Mr. Dorsey, you’re really unlucky. But hey, you can’t blame anyone. Maybe the car behind lost control. Keep your cool. It’s just a racer,” Gideon said with a grin.
Conrad swore, “Gideon! Don’t think I don’t know the Horton family are your lapdogs! I’m warning you. If she gets so much as a scratch, K&B will never let the Fowler family off!”
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Gideon was shocked that Conrad was so angry for a racer. And it didn’t look like he was joking. Gideon figured this supposed Gale had some hidden connection with him.
Kaia’s car was already at the turn. Everyone held their breath. Some even covered their
to watch.
eyes,
unable
She focused intensely, hands and feet moving in perfect sync, spinning the wheel with precision.
And then, a miracle happened.
Instead of the wreck everyone expected, the car slid through a flawless four–wheel drift, hugging the curve like a dance move.
“Holy hell! That’s gorgeous!” Russell found himself walking forward without thinking, clapping hard. His admiration was plain as day.
And not just him. Once everyone else recovered from their jaw–dropping shock, they too began to applaud one after another.
In an instant, thunderous applause filled the air, rolling on without end.
There was no doubt about it. That was Gale. Only she could pull off something like that.
Tobias clapped as well, eyes full of appreciation but also a touch of regret. If only she were representing the Moreno family.
Conrad let out a long breath, patting his chest. That was way too close.
“Mr. Dorsey, you seem awfully tense. Could it be this Gale has… some unspeakable connection to you?” Gideon probed.
“None of your damn business!” Conrad snapped.
Gideon replied, “No need to be so rude. I was just asking…”
“None of your damn business!”
“Mr. Dorsey, you…”
“None of your damn business!”
Gideon went speechless.
“Wow! Amazing!” someone in the crowd cried again.
Kaia had just taken another corner at blistering speed. It was absolutely dazzling.
From the looks of it, Gale was destined to win.
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Gideon shot his assistant a glance. The assistant instantly understood, sending a message to the Ponce, Carr, and Horton families.
[Boss says he’s done waiting.]
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Chapter 80
