?Chapter 131:


    “So?” Elliott shrugged. “None of that bothers me. She’s exactly my type. Plus, I’ve always liked women who can handle a race car.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “If I win her over, we can race together anytime. Sounds perfect to me.”


    The instant those words left Elliott’s mouth, Brendon’splexion darkened. Every muscle in his arms went rigid, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white, veins standing out like ropes along his temples. If he hadn’t been so damned cautious about picking a fight with Elliott, he would’ve swung at him right then and there.


    Off to the side, Bruno gaped, his jaw practically unhinged in disbelief at the scene unraveling before him. Was this seriously the same Elliott he’d always known? Elliott barely wasted breath on anyone outside his tiny circle. Getting him to talk more was like trying to squeeze blood from a stone. Even with his family, he never bothered with extra words. And now, out of nowhere, Elliott was leaping to defend a woman he’d just met,unching into an uncharacteristic speech on her behalf.


    Bruno’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing with schemes. Was Elliott actually interested in Christina? Calction flickered in his eyes.


    Elliott looked at Christina, his voice low and direct. “Need a ride?”


    Christina offered him a measured, friendly smile, dangling her car keys between two fingers. “Thanks, but I brought my own.”


    “Alright, everyone. We’ll take our leave,” Christina said, ncing at Davina and giving her hand a gentle squeeze before the two of them turned to go.


    Davina gave Christina’s hand an eager squeeze, lowering her voice to a murmur. “Be honest—what do you think of Elliott? The way he jumped to your defense? Damn, that was hot. I’m telling you, he’s totally into you. You should go for it!”


    Christina let out a dismissiveugh. “You’re reading way too much into it. We’re both in the racing circuit—maybe that was just his professional ethicsing into y. Plus, I’m divorced. And older than him.”


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    “So what?” Davina shot back, arching a brow and waving her hand like the idea was ridiculous. “If he doesn’t care, why should you?”


    Christina shrugged as she argued. “Maybe he doesn’t, but what about his family? That’s a whole other problem.”


    Davina scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Please. His family’s opinion isn’t worth a dime. Frankly, he’d be lucky to have you. If his family knew who you really are, they’d be crawling on their hands and knees just for you to marry into their family!”


    Davina thought even the Scott family, the most elite family in Lorbridge, should consider themselves honored if Christina became part of their lineage.


    But honestly? Davina believed no man alive was good enough for Christina—she belonged on a pedestal, adored and revered like some untouchable goddess.


    A quietugh slipped from Christina, but her thoughts wandered back to everything with Brendon. If he’d ever known her true identity, he wouldn’t have dared treat her with such icy contempt. He’d have put on a show—fawning over her, drowning her in phony praise, and pretending she was everything he wanted.


    Yet, what was the point of that empty performance? When money and power entered the picture, who could separate truth from pretense? Christina’s voice softened. “You know how it goes. The moment wealth and influence show up, everything getsplicated. I just want something genuine.”


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