Osborn''s test run was over, and the other driver was already packing up to leave.


    He inquired about the guy''sp times-fastestp, 1 minute 45.265 seconds.


    "Damn-"


    Osborn muttered a curse under his breath. Looked like he finally had a worthy rival.


    Violet had already changed out of her helmet and racing suit when Gwh practicallyunched herself into her arms, clinging to her like she never wanted to


    let go.


    McNeil handed over a tissue. "You''re all sweaty-"


    Violet epted it and offered it to Gwh. "Want to help me wipe my face?"


    Gwh nodded with great seriousness. When Violet crouched down in front of her, Gwh carefully dabbed away the sweat from Violet''s face and forehead.


    From a distance, the two looked every bit the picture of motherly love, and the crowd in the stands Violet''s loyal fans-went wild with apuse and cheers.


    Violet waved to her supporters, then took Gwh''s hand and strolled down the track, Gwh strutting along with a proud, almost regal expression.


    Outside the arena, fans showered Violet with gifts-so many that McNeil''s car was nearly overflowing.


    "Wow, Violet, look at all these presents from your admirers! So many plushies!"


    Because Violet was one of the few female drivers, she had a devoted following- fanboys, fangirls, even some old-school racing enthusiasts-all eager to gift her cuddly stuffed animals and toys.


    "Now they all belong to Gwyn. I''m giving them to you," Violet said, barely ncing at the pile.


    At this stage in her life, she had everything she wanted. The gifts from fans didn''t mean much to her, but if Gwh liked them, she was happy to hand them all over.


    "Really? Thank you, Violet!" Gwh squealed, diving into the mountain of stuffed animals, absolutely delighted.


    "You''re going to spoil her rotten," McNeilmented, though the fondness in his eyes betrayed nothing but affection for Gwh.


    Violet replied, "These are nothingpared to what you''ve given me."


    Their eyes met, and Violet''s cheeks flushed pink.


    Truth be told, she wanted their rtionship to move forward—something more than just boyfriend and girlfriend.


    "Isn''t today Gwyn''s birthday? Let''s take her out for dinner."


    Just then, McNeil''s phone rang. It was Xenia calling from the house.


    McNeil hadn''t been back since he found out Victoria had moved out.


    "What''s up?"


    "Ma''am came home today. She brought a present for Miss Gwh."


    Gwh overheard and immediately perked up. “Daddy, it must be a new game from Mom! Let''s go home so I can get it."


    A game?


    Both Violet and McNeil frowned.


    If memory served, Victoria was always the one most against Gwh ying games.


    McNeil couldn''t figure out why she would have bought one now.


    Still, Gwh was insistent-she wanted to go home and get her present.


    "Let''s go have dinner. I''ll have the driver take Gwyn home first," McNeil decided.


    He and Violet waited for another car while the driver took Gwh back to the house.


    Buzzing with anticipation, Gwh barely waited for the car to stop before jumping out and dashing inside.


    "Mom, I''m home! Did you bring me the game?"


    She hadn''t gotten her fill at the gameunch earlier, and now her mom had brought her a copy-perfect.


    Xenia greeted her at the door. "Miss Gwh, your mother waited for you all day, but she had to leave before you got back."


    "Oh... Mom''s not home?" Gwh''s disappointment was brief-after all, it was the game she really wanted.


    Xenia handed over theptop Victoria had left. "Your mom said the game''s all downloaded and ready. She wanted you to have it."


    Gwh snatched it up eagerly. The new app looked just like the one she''d yed earlier.


    She booted up the game-sure enough, it was the same one. Excitement bubbled up inside her, but barely halfway through her first round, her smile faded.