<b>Chapter </b><b>486 </b>
<b>In </b>third ce, Abel’s car finally started to show signs of trouble under extreme speed.
First, the steering became unresponsive. Then he found he couldn’t slow down.
He tried to brake and control the wheel, but the car only elerated harder.
The very thing he feared was happening–and fast. With no way to stop and veering off course, Abel made a split–second decision.
If he was going down, he was taking someone with him.
He yanked the steering wheel and aimed the car directly at Yates.
From the stands, the audience began to panic as they realized something was off.
“What’s going on with that car?”
“Oh my God, it’s heading straight for the one in front! What is he doing?”
“Is he trying to get himself killed?”
Caitlin shot up from her seat, sensing something wasn’t right. Zora tensed. Yasmin nearly screamed.
“That car–why is it heading for my boyfriend?!”
Gasps echoed from every direction as Abel’s car barreled toward Connor’s.
.
Boom!
Yates narrowly swerved and avoided the crash, but the two cars behind him weren’t so lucky. Abel’s car mmed into Connor’s, and both went spinning
off the track into the safety barrier.
A deafening crash.
The two cars collided hard, metal crumpling under the force.
Yates, realizing the wreck behind him, mmed his brakes and brought his car to a stop.
Sebastian had already witnessed the whole thing unfold. He killed the engine, jumped out, and ran to the wreckage.
Yates followed quickly.
“There’s been a crash!” he shouted.
His heart dropped when he saw his prized car destroyed<b>, </b>but he didn’t care about that now.
He ran straight to the crumpled vehicle, yelling, “Abel! Abel!”
Sebastian was already on his phone, calling for the track’s emergency team.
From the stands, Caitlin rushed down the steps toward the track. Yasmin, seeing Connor’s car wrecked, ran after her in panic.
Zora broke into a cold sweat. She had just seen Abel’s car crash in real time. The scene was terrifying.
“Let’s <b>go</b>–let’s check it out!”
Spectators started pouring down from the stands. Even Reese and the other women couldn’t resist getting <b>a </b>closer <b>look</b>.
<b>Zora </b>followed the crowd to the scene of the crash.
Up close, the damage was even more shocking.
The racetrack’s rescue crew and medics were already arriving on the scene.
Connor was pulled from his car
Abel wasn’t so lucky.
Thankfully, he was unharmed–just shaken. His car’s entire rear end had been obliterated, but he was okay
His car’s front was a mangled wreck. Abel had been severely injured
in
Medics carefully extracted him from the vehicle and ced him on a stretcher.
His head was bleeding badly. His face was covered in blood. He was
Zora mped a hand over her mouth, too afraid to step forward. She didn’t
So she stood back and watched helplessly as Abel was carried away.
Yates, meanwhile, was consumed with guilt.
to reveal their rtionship–not now.
“My car… maybe he wasn’t used to the specs… If I hadn’t switched with him, this wouldn’t have happened!”
He looked at his beloved car, now totaled, and could barely hold back his remorse.
Sebastian said nothing at first. Then, patting him on the shoulder, he spoke quietly.
“Enough. Let’s talkter.”
The crash would be handled ording to procedure, and the crowd began to disperse. Zora and her group also turned to leave.
Sebastian asked if Yates wanted to ride back together, but Yates shook his head.
“I need to go to the hospital. I should be there.”
“No,” Sebastian said, stepping in. “Have his assistant handle it.”
“But he’s seriously hurt. I’m his friend–I should be there.”
Sebastian let out a cold sigh.
“Yates, you think he’s your friend. But did he ever treaty
You the same?”
“What are you talking about? I’ve known Abel for years. I got into the industry because I went to an audition with him. I’ve always seen him <b>as </b>a brother- and he came to find me as soon as he got back.”
Yates had always been loyal. His problem was he was too loyal–too trusting. He couldn’t see through people.
Caitlin spoke up. “Yates, you’re too naive. You misjudged him–again.”
“What are you saying?”
“You really believe Abel saw you as a friend?” Caitlin continued. “Then ask yourself this: why did today’s crash happen<b>? Your </b><b>car </b><b>is </b><b>top </b><b>of </b><b>the </b><b>line</b><b>. </b><b>Even </b><b>an </b>average driver wouldn’t crash it like that.
“So why did Abel lose control?<b>” </b>
Yates’s expression turned serious as her words sank in.
<b>2/3 </b>
Caitlin pressed further. “And doesn’t this ident remind you of something? Like Sebastian’s crash not long agor
Yates’s eyes widened as the pieces began to click. “Are you saying… someone tampered with my car<i>?</i><i>” </i>
“Exactly,” Caitlin said. “Once the forensicse back, we’ll know for sure. But we’re already pretty certain this wasn’t a freax ident. And Riel is right
in the middle of it.”
Yates still couldn’t believe it.
“You think… Abel sabotaged my car?”
“Who else could it be?”
“No way. If he did it, why would he drive it himself? That’s suicide!”
“He had his reasons. He gambled–and Sebastian forced his hand.”
Caitlin looked at Sebastian.
“The only reason he even came here today, the reason he suggested you switch cars, was to bait Abel. Either he’d mess up–or the trap would spring on him.”
Yates looked crushed.
“But why would Abel do that to me? We’ve known each other for years. There’s no reason…”
He couldn’t connect the betrayal with the man he’d called his best friend.
“Because you’re too blind to see people for who they really are<i>,</i><i>” </i>Caitlin said bluntly. “You’ve always been like this–good–hearted but <b>totally </b>gullible.”
Yates didn’t argue. His mind was a whirlwind.
To help him face reality, Caitlin added,
“Think carefully, Yates. Ever since Abel came back into your life–what exactly has been happening to you?<b>” </b>
<i>AD </i>
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