To secure first place, Chris Shelby had to overtake on the final bend. This bend, at Crow’s Nest Pass, was notoriously perilous. Few dared to pass here, for a slight misstep could easily lead to a fatal crash. Even the most skilled drivers proceeded with utmost caution.
The road was flanked on one side by a cliff and on the other by a mountain wall. Poor handling could send a car either crashing into the wall or plummeting down the cliff, both outcomes likely disastrous.
Seraphina took a deep breath. In her eyes, first place was hers for the taking. As she approached the final bend, she slowed down, knowing that too much speed could cause her car to overturn. At that moment, she could already see the cheering crowd ahead.
Whoosh!
Before Seraphina could react, a blue Lamborghini sped by the cliff’s edge at a stunning speed, making it through the final bend. The screeching of tires against the pavement was incessant, and plumes of white smoke rose.
Bang!
With a loud crash, the Lamborghini surged to the mountain top. Silence ensued-a deathly stillness.
All of this happened in a mere second or two. In that brief time, the driver of the Lamborghini, with breathtaking skill, clinched first place.
Everyone thought the driver was insane. Under such circumstances, a slight error could easily lead to an accident. Was this person not afraid of dying?
Seeing this, Seraphina was momentarily stunned. Then, she laughed.
“Worthy of being my father’s disciple indeed!”
After Chris Shelby stopped his car, James ran over excitedly.
“Chris Shelby, you are amazing! I didn’t expect you to win first place. From now on, you’re my idol!”
Chris Shelby rolled his eyes, indifferent to James’s childish exuberance. To him, a mere race was trivial.
At that moment, James approached Blake Noire, boasting, “Did you see that, Blake Noire? I won! Now call me boss!”
Blake’s expression darkened. He coldly retorted, “Who are you to demand that I call you boss?”
“What do you mean by that? Are you going back on your word?” James’s tone was hostile.
“Heh!” Blake Noire scoffed.
“Yes, I’m going back on my word. What can you do about it?”
James, flushed with anger, was at a loss for words. He didn’t dare confront Blake Noire too directly, as Blake was the young master of the Noire family, a family no less influential than the Vance family. If things escalated, James might not come out on top.
Blake Noire ignored James and walked up to Chris Shelby. After sizing him up, he asked indifferently, “So you are Chris Shelby?”
Chris Shelby noticed Lysander Frost and Spencer Sterling standing behind Blake Noire.
At that moment, Lysander Frost and Spencer Sterling glared at Chris Shelby with resentment. Seeing their expressions, Chris Shelby realized the situation. Blake Noire was clearly up to no good! Chris Shelby lit a cigarette and said, “I’m Chris Shelby. And who the hell are you?” Upon hearing this, Blake Noire’s expression darkened significantly.
It was well-known that he was the young master of the prominent Noire family, accustomed to respect wherever he went. Chris Shelby’s demeanor was a clear sign of disrespect. Lysander Frost stepped forward, shouting, “Chris Shelby, are you blind? This is Blake Noire, the young master of the leading Noire family among the top ten noble families! How dare you speak to him like that? Do you have a death wish?”
At this, Chris Shelby scoffed.
“I thought you were someone important. Are you the same loser I beat before? Do you want another beating?” Lysander Frost’s face turned ashen with rage. Although he yearned for revenge, he knew he was no match for Chris Shelby.
Then Spencer Sterling jumped in.
“Chris Shelby, don’t get cocky! This isn’t the East Coast; this is Middleton. You’re courting death by acting so arrogantly here!” Suddenly, James stepped forward, roaring, “Who dares mess with my brother messes with me!”
Lysander Frost and Spencer Sterling were taken aback. Although the Vance family was not among the top ten noble families, it wielded significant influence in Amerosia. The Frost and Sterling families, being at the bottom of the top ten, could not compare to the Vance family. Seeing James step in, both Lysander Frost and Spencer Sterling immediately fell silent.
Blake Noire, glaring at James, said menacingly, “James, Lysander Frost and Spencer Sterling are my men. What can you possibly do to them?” James clenched his teeth, visibly frustrated. With Blake Noire’s backing, he indeed couldn’t touch Frost or Sterling.
Chris Shelby was surprised to see James defending him, especially since James had previously despised him due to an issue involving Candace. It seemed James’s attitude had changed after Chris helped him win a race, proving that James wasn’t just a hopeless second-generation heir.
Blake Noire didn’t engage further with James, as his target that day was not James but Chris Shelby. Even though James was a member of the Vance family, Blake Noire had never considered him a threat. Chris Shelby was different. A self-made man from humble beginnings who had risen to prominence in Amerosia through his prowess on the battlefield was not someone to be underestimated.
Blake Noire smiled at Chris Shelby and said, “Chris Shelby, your driving skills are indeed impressive. I’d like to challenge you to a race. What do you say?”
“Not interested?” Chris Shelby replied dismissively, “Who are you to challenge me? If I accepted just like that, wouldn’t I lose face?”
Suddenly, a murderous aura emanated from Blake Noire. He said menacingly, “Chris Shelby, by refusing, you’re disrespecting the Noire family!” The Noire family, leaders among the top ten noble families, held significant sway in Middleton. Ordinary people trembled at the mere mention of them, yet no one had ever dared to disrespect Blake Noire like this.
Chris Shelby sneered and replied, “You want my respect? Fine, let’s make a bet then.”