That night, on the drive home, Wade Saunders couldn''t shake off what Mrs. ck had said about him at Curry ck''s birthday party-how she''d called him utterly useless.


    In the past, he wouldn''t have cared. He''d never wanted to be anything more than a carefree trust fund kid. But tonight, his little sister had been there too. The thought that someone as aplished as Citrine had a brother like him-a disappointment-gnawed at him.


    The car was unusually quiet as they made their way back.


    It was Citrine who finally broke the silence, ncing at her troubled brother. "What''s wrong, Wade? You look upset."


    Wade hesitated for a moment before replying, "Citrine, I''m sorry. I embarrassed you tonight."


    She blinked, surprised that tonight''s events were bothering him.


    With a gentle smile, she said, "Come on, Wade. You don''t have to worry about what Mr. Gorman or Mrs. ck said. They don''t know you."


    Wade was about to brush it off, but Citrine continued, "When you were eighteen, you took first ce in the racing league. At neen, you ced third in your first international pro race. At twenty, you won the city championship, and at twenty- one, you took the top spot in the statepetition. Wade, your path has been paved with sess. You''ve never been less than anyone else."


    Never less than anyone else.


    Wade could feel his heart pounding in his chest.


    Citrine smiled at him. "In your field, you''re already outstanding. But if you don''t think it''s enough, you could start your own racing teampete together, share the passion, and shine even brighter."


    "A racing team?" Wade''s eyes lit up with excitement.


    But then he remembered he''d never actually started his own business before, and doubt crept in. "Citrine, do you really think I could pull that off?"


    "Of course," Citrine said, her voice unwavering.


    For the first time in a long while, Wade felt a spark of hope and determination. "Alright. I''ll do it. I''ll take your advice."


    But just as he spoke, he remembered his dwindling bank bnce and his enthusiasm fizzled.


    "Actually, maybe not..."


    "What''s wrong?" Citrine asked.


    Wade looked embarrassed and stammered, "Well, it''s a bit awkward, but I''ve only got about fifty thousand in my ount right now. That''s nowhere near enough to start a team."


    The Saunders family never spoiled their children. Once they turned eighteen, the financial safety was gone. If they wanted money, they had to earn it themselves.


    Wade had barely worked these past few years, and his bar wasn''t exactly thriving. As a result, he was easily the poorest member of the Saunders n.


    Citrine had been expecting


    something more serious. When she realized it was just about money, sheughed softly. "Don''t worry about that, Wade. If you''re serious about this, I''ll invest. Call it my way of buying in."


    She said it so easily that Wade was stunned.


    "You really trust me that much? Aren''t you worried I''ll lose your money?"


    Citrine smiled, her tone firm. "That''s just businèss—sometimes you win, sometimes you don''t. But I trust my instincts, and I trust you. Besides, I''m


    not nning on losing.


    Wade was floored. More than surprised, he was profoundly grateful.


    "Thank you, Citrine. I won''t let you down." For the first time in years, someone


    truly believed in him, and the feeling of trust was overwhelming.


    He was determined not to waste it.


    No matter what, he would make this work.