Chapter 276 You Won't BeatThis TBrenna was a stranger to Jade's true nature, yet she knew her ruthless racing tactics all too well.
Their last showdown had laid bare Jade's readiness to use any underhanded trick to clinch victory, even resorting to illegal vehicle modifications.
Brenna circled the matte-black racer, her fingertips trailing along its chassis. One practiced touch revealed the car's enhancements to her.
As she leaned in for a closer look, Jade blocked her path with a firm stance. "Why are you staring at my car?" Jade understood that Brenna's mechanical prowess could decode any unauthorized tweaks easily. "Catch you on the track," Brenna said, pivoting toward her own vehicle.
Jade watched Brenna go to the area where the crimson-accented racer was parked, its custom alloy wheels and aerodynamic curves captivating every photographer's lens.
"Style over substance," Jade muttered begrudgingly, slipping into her car.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMemories of their last competition flooded her mind-how she had pushed her machine to the brink, sacrificing it in a desperate bid to catch Brenna's taillights. In the end, her car lay in ruins, nearly totaled, and she had still failed to defeated Brenna.
That defeat had always festered like a thorn in Jade's side.
Each subsequent race had found her scanning entry lists for that alias "Night". Years had passed since she last saw it, and she had doubted Night would ever show up again. But today, her worst nightmare returned.
Doubt gnawed at her. Then, she caught sight of her cockpit's illegal modifications. It struck her that victory might demand sdirty tactics. Even if it meant tarnishing her own reputation, she was determined to take down Brenna this time.
Officials lined up the racers for staggered starts, one-minute intervals separating each vehicle, with final rankings determined by lap times.
Cars launched one by one. Brenna held the ninth starting slot. Brenna realized that Jade had inexplicably secured permission to start at the stas her. Because of the Hewitt family's clout with the organizing committee, this blatant rule violation had slipped through the cracks.
The two striking vehicles surged ahead at the starter's signal, accelerating like arrows released from a bow. 0.0% 0 16:30 ||| < Chapter 276 You Won't BestThis TWithin moments, they vanished from the oval track's view, maintaining identical speeds.
Brenna skillfully maintained her position, a car length behind Jade, steering one-handed while casually taking in the scenery and her rival through the window.
In stark contrast, Jade fought to keep her grip. Her white-knuckled hands clutched the steering wheel as she drove, her eyes darting frequently to the rearview mirror to see Brenna's car.
Sweat slicked her palms, the engine's roar drowned out all other sounds as she zeroed in on the road. The gravel section loomed ahead, notorious for sending racers into spins and rollovers.
Yet, she noticed Brenna still held her ground a car length back. Five minutes in, and Brenna had not closed the gap It appeared to her that Brenna's skills had waned; she felt a fleeting moment of relief.
Confidence surged through her.
As she approached the notorious gravel section, its reputation held strong Despite passing three competitors, her car shuddered violently, speed ebbing away as the tires struggled.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
She poured every ounce of strength into controlling the steering wheel, fighting to keep the vehicle steady. But a sideways glance shattered her composure-Brenna had caught up with her, and her car glided alongside hers with ease.
Panic surged, and Jade slammed the accelerator, disregarding the punishing terrain beneath her. Brenna's window slid down further, her free hand waving lazily. She looked like she was bored.
Fury ignited within Jade as she floored the gas pedal, surging past Brenna. "You won't beatthis m time!" Then a deafening crash En.
pierced the air. Ahead of Jade's car, a red car lay overturned in a ditch, smoke billowing ominously from its hood. Jade knew recklessness could lead to disaster, so she held her speed, focusing on the road to avoid a similar fate.
Her car continued to bounce wildly, but she kept her mind sharp, recalling her pre-planned strategy. But thirty seconds later, the familiar whine of Brenna's engine signaled to her that Brenna had caught up with her again. There Brenna was, the window still open, reclining in her seat as if enjoying a leisurely drive. A flash of malice flickered in Jade's eyes as her finger hovered over a black button. With a decisive move, she pressed down.
A circular hatch in the center of her car's body sprang open, revealing a conical drill that extended and began to spin, reaching out thirty centimeters beyond the vehicle.
The screech of metal being cut echoed. Brenna noticed from the rearview mirror that Jade had activated her illegal modification as she had expected.