The g dropped, and the two cars shot forward like arrows released from a bow.


    Gwh spent the first fewps getting a feel for the track, easily letting Connor take the lead.


    They raced for over a dozenps, and Gwh deliberately kept her speed in check, making sure not to overtake Connor.


    She could feel that he was a skilled driver, but she had been raised by professionals.


    Hayden Noel and her other honorary uncles had put her through special physical training since she was a child, teaching her the fundamentals and advanced racing techniques.


    As good as Connor was, the only real advantage he had over her was a man''s physical strength.


    When they crossed the finish line, Gwh was a fullp behind him.


    Even though she never overtook him, the men in the stands erupted in cheers.


    "Gwh, you''re a beast! That was amazing!"


    To them, Connor was untouchable.


    Even losing to him by just onep was an incredible feat.


    All of these drivers had raced against him, and none had evere close to his speed.


    Being threeps behind was the norm.


    But this woman Connor had brought with him had only lost by one.


    They werepletely stunned, and they weren''t the only ones.


    When Connor got out of his car, he looked at Gwh as if she were some kind of freak.


    "I had no idea you were that good. I really underestimated you."


    His expression was grim, and Gwh silently stuck out her tongue.


    He hadn''t even seen her true potential yet.


    She was afraid that if she had actually beaten him, his ego wouldn''t have been able to handle it.


    Her Connor might never want to marry her then-or worse, he''d be scarred for life.


    "Well, you said it yourself. I''m a racing legend''s daughter. I guess some of it is gic," Gwh said, trying to lighten the tense mood with a yful tone, but Connor wasn''t having it.


    Racing was his greatest pride, and he''d almost been beaten by a girl.


    He couldn''t let it go.


    "Want to go again? Maybe you''ll actually catch me this time."


    There was a dark edge to his voice that sent a shiver down Gwh''s spine.


    "Connor, we''re just having fun. We don''t have to be so serious about it."


    She didn''t want to race again. There was no point.


    But Connor was relentless. "No."


    From his tone, it was clear he wouldn''t take no for an answer.


    Gwh had no choice but to agree.


    The pit crew came forward to inspect their cars.


    While she waited, Gwh scrolled through her social media feed.


    A new message popped up.


    "Gwyn, are you really noting back to thepany? Did you quit? That woman, Patti, just started. And people are saying she''s pregnant... they''re all guessing it''s Mr. Everhart''s. Everyone in the gaming department believes you''re the real Mrs. Everhart. Can you please tell me if it''s true? Is she really having his baby, or is it just a rumor? If you''re really Mrs. Everhart, you shoulde and clear the air!"


    Gwh felt like she had been punched in the gut.


    She swayed on her feet, struggling to stay upright.


    Patti Yale was pregnant.


    Given Hawthorne''s past behavior towards Patti, and everything


    nine-in-ten chance the


    had seen and heard, et


    his.


    No one noticed her distress.


    The cars were checked and ready to go.


    Connor''spetitive streak was fired up, and he issued a new challenge. "Ready for another round?"


    Gwh felt a rush of blood to her head, and the world started to spin.


    As she took the helmet, she was already running on autopilot. "Fine. One more race."


    A heavy pressure was building in her chest, desperately seeking an outlet.


    Seeing her agree so readily, Connor suited up and climbed into his car.


    Gwh stared at the track ahead, but all she could see were the from that message, haunting her like ghosts. Cent belongs i


    "Ready..."


    The g dropped.


    St


    Gwh mmed her foot on the elerator, and the carunched forward with blistering speed.


    Before Connor could even react, she was already a blur in the distance.


    "Shit..." he cursed, flooring it to catch up.


    The crowd in the stands was dumbfounded.


    They had barely seen the sh of movement that had just shot past.


    There were only two cars on the track, and it definitely wasn''t Connor''s.


    "Whoa, Gwh was holding back! Go, Connor, she''s about to beat you!"


    The entire grandstand was electric.


    If they witnessed Connor losing to a woman today, it would be an epic moment.


    Connor couldn''t believe her speed.


    It was far beyond what he had anticipated.


    He pushed his engine to the limit, chasing after her.


    Gwh''s car got faster and faster.


    Connor, too focused on winning, lost track of how manyps they''d done before he finally started closing the distance.


    "Dammit, I can''t lose to a girl!" he muttered.


    closing


    Meanwhile, in the other car, tears were streaming down Gwh''s face as she


    drove.


    Patti Yale was pregnant.


    It had to be Hawthorne''s.


    Why couldn''t she just let him go?


    As the thought consumed her, she felt lightheaded, and her car began to drift from


    the track.


    Connor had been determined to catch her and win, but he slowly realized something


    was terribly wrong.


    "Gwyn, watch out!"