Milly envisioned all sorts of reactions from Hera, ready to subtly drive the nail into her confidence and make her feel insecure and sidelined.


    "Sure!" Hera replied, her bright smile catching everyone off guard. The other guys around them found themselves momentarily entranced, unable to look away from her beauty.


    "Ehem!" Dave’s irritated throat-clearing snapped everyone back to reality, including Milly, who clearly hadn’t anticipated Hera’s response.


    Of all the answers she expected, Milly never thought Hera would ept such a challenge. Everyone knew that car racing was dangerous and could lead to serious idents. Unless a girl had a true love for challenges and a brave heart, few would dare to step into the fray.


    Even after extensive self-convincing and mental preparation to drive alongside others, she had her brother—a member of the national team—train her in the hopes of getting closer to Dave.


    Car racing wasn’t for beginners; it required skills and techniques that could only be honed through years of practice.


    When everyone heard Hera readily ept the challenge, half of the onlookers were skeptical, believing she was biting off more than she could chew just to grab Dave’s attention.


    Milly’s brother, in particr, dismissed her as shallow, convinced she was merely trying to impress Dave.


    Though Milly didn’t receive the response she hoped for, she noticed that most of the national team members were watching Hera with a mix of skepticism and frown.


    Dave raised an eyebrow as he regarded Hera, uncertain yet intrigued. He didn’t know her well, but he sensed that she wouldn’t take on a challenge unless she felt confident.


    Still, worry creased his features, prompting him to inch closer to her, concerned about the decision she had made.


    "Are you sure you want to join in?" Dave asked, concern evident in his voice. "If you do, I can teach you the controls and everything you need to know."


    "Yeah, and you could also take a few practiceps before we all race," one of the Young Masters chimed in, noticing Dave’s apprehension.


    He seized the opportunity to gain favor with Dave, hoping to impress him with his supportive gesture.


    Hera let out a light chuckle, a sound like chimes dancing in the breeze. It struck a chord in their hearts, effortlessly captivating everyone around her. Those who had initially dismissed her as shallow found their negative perceptions melting away, drawn in by her warmth and genuine charm.


    "Thank you, but I’m fine," Hera said softly, giving Dave’s hand a reassuring tap. However, her response elicited a scoff from Milly’s brother, who clearly disapproved.


    "Are you sure you can handle it? Race cars aren’t like regr cars. We can’t afford to have you getting into an ident here, so it’s best to let Dave teach you first and run a fewps before you join the others. After all, it would reflect poorly on our team’s image if news got out that we allowed a beginner to race with everyone else."


    Everyone caught the biting tone in his remarks, recognizing his attempt to embarrass Hera for turning down Dave’s offer. It seemed he believed she was pretending to know how to drive,pletely unaware of her own limitations.


    Milly’s brother was clearly trying to intimidate Hera, subtly reminding her of the potential dangers of a beginner racing alongside professionals. His words were a thinly veiled attempt to assert his superiority while keeping her firmly in her ce.


    Hera had sensed Milly’s intentions from the start and understood the underlying agenda behind her push for the girls to join. However, she refused to back down. If Milly could y her game, then Hera could y hers, determined to prove herself against the odds.


    Hera smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she locked gazes with Milly’s brother.


    He was clearly taken aback, caught off guard by her beauty, which struck him like a sudden gust of wind.


    Although he was ustomed to beautiful women—having traveled the world with his team and with a sister who turned heads—Hera’s allure was distinct. It made his heart skip a beat, a reaction he hadn’t anticipated.


    Hera exuded an aura that was both innocently pure and subtly seductive, reminiscent of a subus. This intriguing contrast melded harmoniously, creating a captivating allure that drew attention and left an indelible impression.


    Not only did Milly’s brother react this way; the other guys were equally captivated, their eyes fixed on Hera in awe.


    This only deepened the darkness in Dave’s expression, a simmering rage rising within him as he watched them stare. Yet, he hesitated to chide Hera for her charm, fully aware of how effortlessly enchanting she could be.


    "Then, since it’s a friendlypetition, how about we ce a bet?" Hera proposed, a cunning smile dancing on her lips. Her unexpected challenge caught everyone off guard; they were baffled by her audacity to suggest a wager, especially considering she was a beginner.


    But Dave’s expression softened as he yfully tapped the tip of her nose, looking both endearing and doting.


    "Are you addicted to bets? How do you envision this one ying out? I have to admit, I’m not keen on wishes. What if you lose and someone else wins? I wouldn’t want them making demands on you to satisfy their whims."


    Dave’s suddenment left nearly everyone choking on their own saliva. <i>’Does Dave really see us as unscrupulous, unable to control ourselves around women?’</i> All the guys collectively thought, their eyes wide with surprise as they turned to him.


    Meanwhile, Hera smiled wryly, a mix of amusement and helplessness in her expression as she nced at Dave.


    "How about we make it a mary bet? After all, everyone here has plenty of cash to spare. Since it’s just a friendlypetition, betting money could be seen as a lighthearted game of poker among friends. Sound good?"


    The Young Masters from wealthy families nodded in agreement. They were no strangers to friendly wagers, often ying poker and betting either money or assets like cars, pieces ofnd, or favors. When it came to cash, they typically wagered millions.


    With more than a dozen participants, if each of them bet one million, the winner could potentially walk away with over $10 million—a prize nearly equivalent to the winnings of a national race or a grand prix. The stakes were high, and excitement crackled in the air.</subtxt>