"An F1 champion should know the rules, shouldn''t he?"


    Juniper''s eyebrow twitched in amusement as she watched his expression darken. She despised people like him who would resort to underhanded tactics just to win. On one hand, he was privately investigating J''s whereabouts, and on the other, he was actively trying to sabotage the Orient Country''s team.


    "Or perhaps..." Juniper held up her phone, azy smile ying on her lips. "We could call F1 headquarters and have them exin it to you personally?"


    Melvin''s face was a thundercloud. He had indeed acted selfishly, trying to bar her from entry because he was worried she''d distract Kurt. He never expected this young woman to be so sharp-tongued. Not only did she know the regtions inside and out, but she even had the number for F1 headquarters. Did Kurt tell her?


    "You''d better behave yourself," Melvin grumbled, not wanting to argue further as his training time was approaching.


    "You should watch yourself," Juniper shot back coolly, her posture casual but her eyes dark. "You poser."


    "You-!" Melvin sputtered, but before he could retort, she had already shoved her hands in her pockets and sauntered past him with an air of brazen confidence.


    "Hmph." Melvin stood there, hands on his hips, feeling a rage so intense he thought he might have a heart attack.


    Who raised her? So beautiful, yet her words were so venomous! Thank God she wasn''t his sister, or he''d have to teach her a lesson she wouldn''t forget.


    "Melvin,” his assistant said, approaching just in time to witness the scene. "Why don''t you publicly announce that you''ve applied to change your citizenship back to the Orient Country?" "It''s not necessary,” Melvin said, walking away with his helmet, his eyes following Juniper''s retreating figure. "Besides, the citizenship transfer might not even be finalized before the race."


    He had started the processst year, but the authorities in Moralia were dragging their feet. It had taken a significant effort to speed things up even slightly. If the transfer was sessful before the race, his results would count for the Orient Country, and futurepetitions would be straightforward. If not... then Kurt was their only hope. That was why he was so worried about Kurt''s performance.


    "By the way..." Melvin stopped, his expression turning serious. "How are things with that task I gave you?"


    "Binary Oracle rejected the job," the assistant replied respectfully, bowing his head. "I''ve contacted Cybeic Shadows at Sigma Network instead."


    Binary Oracle and Cybeic Shadows were the two top hacker collectives in the country, easily on par with international groups.


    “As you instructed, this time I only requested they find J."


    After all, finding his family would be a time-consuming task that could be done anytime. Finding J was urgent.


    "Good." Melvin nodded and put on his helmet. "The race is just a few days away. Tell them to find J as soon as possible."


    "Yes, sir." The assistant nodded,


    feeling a wave of admiration. Melvin was truly giving his all for the Orient Country''s Lacing scene. The next time he heard someone call him a traitor, he wouldn''t be so polite.


    ...


    Inside a private lounge at the training grounds, Kurt was hunched over, carefully preparing a te of


    fruit for Juniper. Ghoul sat on the floor hair a mess staring lifelessly at his phone screen.


    Juniper nced down and saw what was on the screen. It was her chat window.


    Ghoul had sent a barrage of messages, all of which had failed to deliver.


    "Is he okay?" she asked, blinking curiously at his catatonic state.


    "He''s fine," Kurt said, bringing the


    fruit with a mischievous grin


    "Just got his heart broken by that heartless He''ll be over it ma couple of days."


    The heartless J was speechless.