Marcus hadn''t really wanted to trouble Victoria-after all, Max had already told her about the game.


    As soon as Victoria heard the details, she realized, Isn''t this the same racing game Gwh''s been obsessed with thesest few days?


    "Alright, Max, it''s just a game. But how about thister, your uncle will take you to see some real race cars."


    She nced at the racing app on her phone. "Want me to show you a few tricks, kiddo?"


    Victoria gave Max an encouraging wink.


    Marcus shot Victoria a look. "He''s just in a mood. Don''t let it bother you."


    Victoria smiled easily. "No worries. Some friends of mine actually helped develop this game years ago. Plus, I''m not too bad at this sort of thing-I might even be able to help Max pull off a win."


    Before she got married, Victoria had known all sorts of tech and finance people, and they still kept in touch.


    "Okay!" Max replied, a spark of hope in his eyes. At this point, he''d try anything if it meant beating Gwh.


    The server had just brought out the soup base, and the rest of the hotpot ingredients were still being prepared, so Victoria took the opportunity to slide into the seat next to Max and focus on teaching him the game.


    Max, being a bright kid, picked things up quickly-especially with Victoria''s clear guidance.


    He''d yed plenty before, but Victoria''s pointers gave him a new edge. As he surged ahead and clinched first ce among his teammates, Max could hardly believe it himself.


    No wonder he could never beat Gwh before-her skills were on a whole different level, probably thanks to Ms. Turner''s coaching.


    With his newfound confidence, Max threw himself into round after round, determined to set new records. He kept ying until he''d racked up a string of high scores and left his opponents in the dust.


    "I''m going to settle the score with that bratty girl," Max dered triumphantly, beaming at his new ranking and high score.


    Marcus frowned, giving him a warning look. "Watch your manners."


    The "bratty girl" Max referred to was, of course, Violet.


    After all, it was a woman who''d caused the ident that killed his parents. She''d been made up to the nines, and the image had burned itself into Max''s memory.


    Ever since then, any time he saw a woman with heavy makeup, Max couldn''t help but mutter under his breath.


    Marcus had never found a way to break him of the habit.


    After dinner, Marcus drove Max and Victoria over to see Teague.


    The old house was impably maintained, its architecture reminiscent of an early-twentieth-century European manor, with a touch of ssic city grandeur.


    A uniformed guard stood watch at the gate.


    "You may go in. The young master is expecting you."


    After Victoria called ahead, it took nearly fifteen minutes before the heavy front gates finally swung open. An elderly butler emerged, stern-faced, nose slightly upturned.


    The butler led them through the house to the living room, where they waited a while longer before Teague finally appeared-lounging in a robe, cigarette dangling from his lips, exuding an air of careless arrogance.


    "You made it?" His tone was steeped in smugness.


    Marcus recognized Teague immediately-one of Starfall City''s most notorious trust fund brats.


    His grandfather was a man of considerable influence, and his father was a leading candidate for the city council. No wonder Teague acted so untouchable—the Yates family really did have the clout to back it up.


    "Where''s the car?" Victoria asked briskly.


    Teague gave her an insolent once-over, barely bothering to hide his disrespect.


    Marcus stepped between them, blocking Teague''s gaze, but Teague just kept staring at Victoria, his eyes lingering in a way that made Marcus want to punch him.


    With a crooked smile, Teague finally said, "Follow me to my garage."


    The moment the automatic doors rolled up, Victoria''s eyes lit up the brightest of all. It was her first time seeing so many supercars in a private garage.


    "Take a look around," Teague said, jerking his head.


    Max was just as excited-his uncle really had brought him to see the cars up close.


    Marcus, on the other hand, looked less than pleased. Just how much had this family skimmed off the top to afford all this?


    Victoria walked straight over to the Pagani, methodically inspecting it for Teague.


    Both Teague and Marcus watched as she examined every detail, moving with a practiced confidence.


    Teague found it amusing. He''d only invited her over because of her striking looks -he hadn''t actually expected her to know what she was doing. Watching her now, he couldn''t help but be a little surprised.