The racetrack sprawled out, almost as big as thepetition arena next door. With the area cleared, only Mirabe and Grady''s cars were there, along with a few vehicles from As and his crew who had followed them in.


    Mirabe''s car sat confidently on the starting line. She casually rested a hand on the steering wheel, her head tilted against the seat, her eyeszily taking in the empty track. It had been a while since shest drove.


    Over on the adjacent track, Grady was all set. He nced over at Mirabe, excitement lighting up his eyes. "Ready?"


    Mirabe straightened up, shed a cool hand gesture, and then floored the gas pedal. Her sleek sports car shot forward like a silver arrow, tearing through the night.


    Grady had heard tales of Mirabe''s racing prowess from As. When As described it a few days ago, Grady had felt a thrill of anticipation. Now, watching her in action, his adrenaline surged.


    He pressed down hard on the elerator, his car speeding after hers. Under the night sky, the two cars raced fiercely, one chasing the other. The silver sports car was particrly impressive, its speed and smooth cornering rivaling that of a professional racer.


    Grady''s interest piqued even more. Miss Mira was something special.


    In the monitoring room of the nearbypetition arena, tension was building.


    "Curtis, today''s race is going to be tough. Cruz''s team brought in Andi, the world''s third-ranked driver. Our drivers don''t match up to him."


    Curtis watched the monitor as several modified cars moved into ce. His attention was drawn to the blond, blue-eyed man leaning against the lead car, his arrogance almost tangible through the screen.


    That was Andi, the world''s third-best driver. Curtis narrowed his eyes. Compared to the Shepherd family''s team, there was a noticeable gap in confidence. Today''s race seemed to have a foregone conclusion.


    "Has James shown up?" Curtis checked the time.


    With twenty minutes left before the official race started, his assistant nodded. "He''s been here for a while. The pressure must be getting to him; he took his car to the training field."


    James was the country''s second-ranked professional driver, but facing Andi was daunting. Curtis rubbed his temples, then said, "Get him back to prepare."


    "On it, I''ll get him now."


    Curtis stared at therge monitor, deep in thought, wondering where James was. If James were here, they might have a shot in today''s race. Losing would mean handing over those rare weapon materials to Cruz. Curtis''s expression darkened; those materials had to stay with the Shepherd family.


    He took out his phone and made a call.


    James had just driven his race car to the training field and hadn''t even hit the track when a few parked cars blocked his way.


    "Sorry, this area''s been rented out. You''ll need to leave," As said, dressed in ck, exuding an air of danger with his expressionless face. He was not someone to be messed with.


    James gripped the steering wheel, leaned out to look at As, and frowned.