?Chapter 123:


    Just imagining Elliott’s lingering, fascinated stare aimed at Christina made Katie’s blood boil.


    “It’s not really Christina’s fault, though. The guys are the ones showing interest in her,” Ynda offered quietly, acting as if she was truly defending Christina.


    “Oh,e on! If she wasn’t always batting hershes and acting all coy, would they even notice her? She’s out here prowling for guys and you know it!” Frustrationced Katie’s words as she snapped back.


    “Well…” Ynda faltered, as if she’d run out of arguments. She shot a discreet nce at Brendon, who was already scowling. Their bickering was pushing his patience to the edge.


    Katie barely got a word out before Brendon silenced her with a cial look. “If you don’t want to be here, then get out of here!” he hissed, his tone icy.


    Flushed with anger, Katie jerked her gaze away, swallowing anyeback.


    “Alright, alright.” Ynda quickly jumped in, as if she hadn’t subtly fueled the argument, looping her arms through theirs. “Come on, let’s just watch the race, okay? No point in arguing.”


    Out on the track, Elliott gripped the wheel, guiding the car with smooth, almostzy confidence. He’d intended to take it easy, but after just onep, it hit him—Christina was the real deal! At the very first turn, a split-second distraction sent her surging ahead, stealing the lead before he could react. He was floored. His jaw clenched, eyes wide with disbelief. So, her victory over the second-ce pro…


    He realized then that it hadn’t been some lucky break. He’d assumed she was a fluke neer, but her pure skill shattered that belief.


    The realization stung—he’d made a rookie mistake of his own, letting his guard down and misjudging his opponent. All traces of yfulness vanished as he bore down, every nerve sparking withpetitive focus. This was no longer just a warm-up—now it was war. By the second turn, he hunted for any chance to slip past her, analyzing every move with sharp-eyed intensity.


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    Finally, right before the third bend, he spotted it—a subtle, nearly invisible error in her line. A sly grin tugged at his lips. She slipped up. She’d finally given him an opening. And that was all the cue he needed. Elliott barreled into the turn, tires screaming as he pulled off a wless drift, surging ahead in one clean, ruthless move. The instant he shot past her, a wild rush of adrenaline tore through him—intense, addictive, the kind of high he hadn’t tasted since Skybreaker retired.


    To Elliott, the second-ce racer was not bad, but nowhere close—leaving the second-ce racer in the dust was child’s y. But this woman? She was a different story. She’d actually forced him to push his limits. No wonder she’d smoked the second-ce racer. Sure, his win had never really been at risk, but for the first time in ages, thispetition had actually meant something.


    The exhration twisted inside Elliott, sharp and sweet, leaving him feeling invincible.


    “Elliott pulled it off! He just passed her!”


    “No way! I can’t believe how good he is—this race is nuts!”


    “Holy crap! For a minute there, I thought he might choke. But let’s be real, she’s just a woman. Like she ever stood a chance.”


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