The BMW swiftly weaved through the traffic, drawing many eyes, but it moved so fast that most people couldn’t see it clearly before it disappeared.
Inside the car, Karlee wore a proud and determined expression, while Darnell leaned against the window, looking pitiful and almost ready to cry for help.
The scene resembled a feudal lord forcibly taking a peasant girl, but with roles reversed. This time, this young lady was forcibly taking Darnell.
“Seven more minutes.”
The BMW stopped at an intersection, its engine revving. It wasn’t that Karlee wanted to stop or didn’t dare to run the red light. There was an accident ahead, handled by traffic police. With no way forward, Karlee turned to Darnell in the passenger seat.
“With this accident, you might get three more minutes, but it won’t change the outcome.”
“And don’t try to grab my steering wheel.”
She locked the gear lever and warned Darnell, “If you try, I’ll floor it and crash us both.”
Darnell felt awkward, not expecting his intentions to be seen through so easily. He quickly raised his head and scoffed, “I wouldn’t grab your steering wheel.”
“I’m here because there’s an airbag. Whether we crash into the Whiteville River or another car, I have a better chance of surviving. Go ahead and drive.”
Karlee was taken aback. “You’re not afraid of dying?”
“You’re so pretty, so young, and with such a background. If you’re not afraid of dying, why should I be?”
Darnell glanced at Karlee’s white thighs. “Besides, having someone like you as company in death wouldn’t be bad.”
Karlee was wearing shorts and a T-shirt today, along with flat sandals that revealed her toes, which were painted a bright red.
Her exposed legs were smooth and fair, youthful and charming.
Karlee angrily said, “You’d rather die than be with me?”
Darnell replied defiantly, “I’ll never be easily swayed by beauty!”
But deep down, he thought to himself that if Karlee really wanted to end it all, he might as well give in during the last half-minute. His life was more important than his pride.
He prepared himself to offer himself when necessary.
Karlee huffed, “Then wait and see. If I can’t have your heart, I’ll have your body.”
At that moment, another car pulled up beside them, a yellow Lamborghini sports car that was very eye-catching.
Karlee’s face turned cold.
The Lamborghini’s window rolled down automatically, revealing a delicate face. The woman inside glanced at the BMW and then sneered, giving Karlee a thumbs-down gesture.
A blatant provocation.
Before Karlee could react, the woman flicked her hair and mocked,
“I wondered who was driving that BMW like a plane early in the morning. Turns out it’s you, Karlee.”
“But why aren’t you racing at Mount Doomwood? Showing off your mediocre skills in front of everyone instead?”
She laughed mockingly, “Miss Henning, don’t you find this boring?”
Beside her sat a young man, who was driving the Lamborghini. He also smiled through the window.
“Karlee, out so early? Taking your boy toy for a ride?”
He seemed to know Karlee too and threw out a sarcastic remark before glancing at Darnell. He wondered why Karlee had someone like him in her car when she usually kept men at arm’s length.
His eyes showed confusion mixed with sharpness, as if Darnell had encroached on his territory.
“But this boy toy doesn’t look attractive.”
Darnell fumed. Was there anyone more attractive than him?
“None of your business!”
Karlee hadn’t managed to win over Darnell yet and was filled with frustration. Now that someone had come along as a scapegoat, she talked back without hesitation.
“Whether I race or date is none of your business.”
The delicate woman in the Lamborghini sneered, “Oh, Miss Henning has grown more temperamental since becoming president.”
“Rachael, stop it. Everyone knows she bought her position. No need to point it out,” the young man laughed harshly. “Otherwise, Miss Henning might get angry and have us chopped up.”
He looked like a rich kid, handsome and distinguished but spoke sharply.
Darnell could tell from his heated gaze towards Karlee that he was someone who disparaged what he couldn’t have.
Rachael pretended to be frightened. “So scared!”
Karlee turned her head coldly. “Frank, Rachael, if you want my position as president, compete openly. These provocations are meaningless. If you can beat me fair and square, do it. Otherwise, get lost.”
“In terms of background and power, we can’t match you, but when it comes to driving skills, we’re not afraid,” Rachael smiled seductively. “How about a race? If you win, we’ll avoid you in the future. If you lose, step down as president for Frank. Deal?”
The young man called Frank whistled. “Karlee, I’ll even give you a head start.”
Karlee snorted, “I’ve got things to do today. No interest in racing with you. If you’re up for it, come to Mount Doomwood on Saturday.”
Rachael smirked and gave her thumbs-down gesture again. “Coward.”
Frank laughed, “Don’t embarrass yourself if you can’t drive well. It could end badly.”
Darnell urged Karlee to take them on. “Go for it!”
Only by diverting Karlee’s attention could he find a chance to escape from the car.
Karlee looked conflicted as if something was holding her back.
“Even your boy toy is urging you on. Are you really that scared?” Rachael laughed shrilly.
“Enough talk!” Karlee made up her mind. “From here to the Vertex via 305 Avenue. Whoever’s slower leaves the club.”
“Deal!” Rachael agreed immediately. “Our car has an advantage today, so we’ll give you two car lengths. Is that fair?”
Frank laughed while tapping the steering wheel, “Not enough? How about thirty seconds?”
Darnell was about to agree when Karlee refused flatly, “No need!”
Such poor negotiation skills!
Darnell glanced at Karlee in frustration for not taking advantage of their offer but felt smart for not giving in to her earlier.
Their values were too different. They couldn’t live together. He then shouted, “Just leaving the club is dull. In movies, winners take losers’ cars.”
Darnell proudly suggested, “Let’s add that bet. It’ll be more fun.”
Karlee rolled her eyes at him. “I don’t want their car.”
“I do,” Darnell retorted bluntly.
“Didn’t expect your boy toy to have some sense,” Rachael sneered after exchanging glances with Frank. “Fine, we’ll bet as he says.”
“Though your BMW isn’t worth much,” she planned aloud for future scenarios where she’d display it at their club as proof of their victory over Karlee.
Then she pointed at Darnell. “And if you lose, this boy toy will keep me company for a few days.”
Both Frank and Karlee were stunned while Darnell grinned widely, “A few days is too short. Feel free to keep me longer.”
“I’m not interested in you,” Rachael scoffed disdainfully. “But I love ruining Karlee’s things. Winning means throwing you among rich ladies.”
“Crazy woman,” Darnell muttered angrily.
Frank laughed heartily, “Yes, let’s add that bet.”
“No more nonsense! From here to the Vertex parking lot,” Karlee declared coldly while watching traffic clear ahead, counting down sharply.
“Five. Four. Three. Two. One.”
Both cars roared off like arrows from bows, engines screaming as they sped away.
“Karlee, I’ll wait for you at the Vertex.” Rachael’s mocking laughter echoed after her yellow Lamborghini shot past Karlee’s white BMW within seconds, leaving only taunting words behind.
“Don’t keep me waiting too long.”
“Bitch!” Karlee cursed under her breath while pushing harder on the gas pedal, hoping to close the gap and use the traffic to block and secure victory.
However, after driving a few more kilometers, her breathing became labored, her pretty face showed a hint of pain, and her legs trembled slightly.
Darnell was taken aback, sensing that something was off with the girl, but he couldn’t feel her pulse and could only watch her to assess the situation.
At that moment, the BMW approached an intersection with a red light ahead.
Karlee, however, paid no attention to the red light and just kept her foot on the gas, charging forward.
Out of the corner of his eye, Darnell spotted a dump truck rumbling by at a high speed.
He shouted, “Watch out.”
Darnell abruptly grabbed the steering wheel and turned it, also pressing down on the woman’s foot which was on the brake.
The tires screeched against the ground, creating an ear-piercing sound, and after skidding for over a hundred meters, the car came to a stable stop.
The dump truck rumbled past without even attempting to brake. The driver just glanced over and continued on his way.
Karlee’s face had turned a bit pale from the stop, but she gritted her teeth and was about to start the car again when Darnell held her hand and softly asked,
“Did you start your period?”