Whenever the girl spoke, Kurt would adjust immediately. His speed was faster and more stable than in the first round. His progress was astounding.


    Melvin stood with his arms crossed, a deep smile forming on his lips, a look of genuine pleasure he hadn''t shown in a long time.


    "Melvin, what are you smiling about?" his assistant asked, surprised, as he arrived at the finish line with a coffee. It had been ages since he''d seen him smile like that.


    "Don''t you think..." Melvin narrowed his eyes, speaking slowly, "that girl has a bit of J''s vor to her?"


    Her racing style, in particr, was strikingly simr. Why hadn''t he ever seen her on the national or international circuits?


    "Her?" The assistant nced at Juniper and chuckled. "How can shepare to J?"


    J was a legend in the racing world. Even Melvin himself had to show deference in J''s presence.


    "With some training, she could be the next J," Melvin said thoughtfully.


    No wonder Kurt had brought her to the track. Where did he find such a gem?


    "Melvin, are you saying..." the assistant paused, then asked tentatively, "you want to take her on as your apprentice?"


    Melvin just smiled, his silence a confirmation. If she was willing, he would teach her everything he knew. If it were possible, he would even ask J to train her personally. The first female F1 driver in history, hailing from the Orient Country... That news would shake the world.


    But the deadline for his team''s "entry" was tonight. His initial attitude had been poor, and he had definitely offended her. If he approached her now, he wasn''t sure if he could win her over.


    ...


    Ten minutester, Kurt''s car crossed the finish line. He was three seconds faster than thestp. With a bit more work, he could break the tep minute mark of he


    If do that,


    not only would a top-five finish be guaranteed, but he might even have a shot at the podium.


    We could a


    "That''s it for today. You keep practicing," Juniper said, gathering her things as she gave him final instructions.


    As she was about to leave, a tall figure blocked her path.


    Oh. The rude poser. What bad luck!


    "What do you want?" Kurt immediately stepped in front of her, eyeing Melvin warily. As much as he admired Melvin, his country came first. This poser was the enemy.


    "Could I have a word with you?" Melvin ignored Kurt, his gaze fixed on Juniper as he spoke in a low voice.


    “No, you can''t,” Juniper replied, tilting her head up slightly. Her face was cold, her tone distant and dismissive.


    Melvin froze, taking a moment topose himself. She certainly had a temper. This wasn''t going to be easy.


    "Ms. Payne, I apologize for my rudeness earlier," Melvin said, his tone sincère. "At first, I was genuinely concerned you would distract the drivers. After all..." chances of a woman appearing on an F1 track were practically zero. Who would have thought a teenage girl would be a training partner? It was incredible.


    "Anyway, your technique is excellent. Why haven''t I seen you on the national or international circuits?"


    asked


    Has anyone ever told you


    "Has


    he


    that your racing style is very simr


    to''s? You know of J, right?"


    Hearing his barrage of questions, Juniper finally looked up, her patience worn thin. "What do you want?"


    Melvin had nned to be more diplomatic, but since she was cutting to the chase, he decided to be direct. "Are you interested in joining my team? In the future, my team will serve the Or-"


    "What the hell?"


    Before Melvin could finish, Kurt lost his cool. No wonder he''d been staring at Juniper, practically drooling. He was trying to poach her!