Jasper arrived quite soon. Mr. Walker had got everything prepared. He held the leash of a mare, handing it to Jasper, “This one is yours. The race will begin at any minute.”
This mare couldn’t even hold a candle to Linford’s. Cristelle was not an expert, but she could tell at first glance. She stared at Mr. Walker, “We know how to pick our horse. You don’t need to worry about this, Mr. Walker.”
And then, she took Jasper to the stable. Cristelle picked one of the most vigorous ones, but Jasper only shook his head, “Our main job today is to keep Linford Bradley happy. I don’t want to steal his thunder. I’ll take whatever Walker gives me.”
“No!” Cristelle was pretty pissed off, “Why should you humiliate yourself just to make him look good? Just listen to me. You must take this one.”
Jasper sighed and nodded reluctantly, “Fine… If you insist on that.”
After picking out the horse, they left the stable. Cristelle went to sit among the other audience, ignoring all the curious looks shooting in her direction.
BANG!
The signal gun sounded, and all the horses dashed out simultaneously. Linford looked as brave and eye-catching as a knight on his horse, leading the race at the beginning and catching all the attention.
Cristelle stared at the course intensely. She didn’t want to look in that man’s direction, but she still couldn’t help searching for him on the course. Linford looked like he could rule the whole city when he was on the horse. Cristelle went lost for a second, but she soon realized that she’d been gawking at him. She dropped her gaze and bit on the straw of her coke embarrassedly.
Fritzi noticed the look on her face. She smiled faintly. As much as Cristelle tried to hide her feelings for Linford, sometimes it was just impossible to hide one’s affection for someone.
Fritzi believed they would be together in the end.
Most audiences were cheering for Linford. Cristelle just got more and more anxious. A man suddenly stood up among the crowd, “Who’d like to bet on this round? I will bet 1 thousand on Linford Bradley!”
“Me too, 2 thousand on Linford Bradley!”
“I will bet on Mr. Walker.”
Most people bet their money on Linford. Someone choose to leave their faith to their family or friends.
Fritzi also bet on Linford.
Linford used to be good at all sorts of sports, golf, horse racing, skiing… Just name it. People knew they would never lose if they bet on him.
Cristelle was sick and tired of these ass-kissers. She knew she should be rational, but she still shouted on purpose, “I’m betting 5 thousand on Jasper Johnson.”
The stands fell silent.
Were they witnessing a love triangle right now? What was so special with this Miss Friesley that she could make both Mr. Bradley and Mr. Johnson fall for her?
Some young rich ladies were so jealous, “Miss Friesley, don’t you think you’re making the obviously wrong choice? You’re probably gonna lose millions if you bet on Jasper.”
Cristelle was confident, “Jasper won’t lose.”
What she said just made those young girls even more jealous. Mr. Bradley had been so sweet with her. But this woman still wouldn’t stay loyal.
How could she try to seduce another man under Mr. Bradley’s nose? It was absolutely disgusting. Most women silently screamed in chorus with these thoughts in their minds.
Cristelle could tell what they were thinking about her when she looked at them. But she didn’t care.
Fritzi tried to remind her, “Cristelle, you will really lose money if you are that stubborn. Just… Withdrew the bet.”
“It’s okay. I trust him,” Cristelle was a bit mad.
“Okay then… Just do whatever seems fit to you.” Fritzi sighed and shrugged.
****
After the bet, all the rich young ladies started to cheer for Linford. Cristelle only rolled her eyes.
The race on the course was intense. Linford and Jasper seemed to be in a tie. They were not even that far from each other. Jasper didn’t want to continue this boring competition anymore. He sped up his horse and was ready for the last sprint.
However, his horse suddenly went mad in that split second. It started to jump and struggle, trying to get Jasper off its back.
Everyone went dumbfounded. Some girls started to scream. All the other racers falling behind all held their reins, making their horses stop. Linford also noticed the accident. He held the reins and turned around. The first thing he saw, however, was Jasper sent flying across the course. The horse he rode went crazy, kicking and jumping in the dust.
People were scared of getting threaded. They all tried to stay away as far as they could.
Jasper was left on the ground, lying there motionlessly.
“Where’s the manager?! The manager!” Mr. Walker yelled. How could this happen at the moment as important as this?
“Jasper!” Cristelle almost ran toward the course, but Fritzi stopped her from doing so. “That horse is crazy! You can’t get too close!” Fritzi was nervous, “You’ll get kicked, Cristelle.”
“But…” Cristelle looked up and went frozen.
Linford had jumped off his horse at the moment. He dashed forward and grabbed the crazy horse’s reins before it could tread on Jasper.
He held the animal back and jumped on its back the next minute, making it calm down.
People in the stands started to cheer for Linford.
Cristelle let out a shuddering breath. She felt her knees getting weak.
Fritzi watched with her mouth open when Linford saved Jasper from his doom, “Jesus, Cristelle… Did you see that? It was so cool. I thought I was watching a horrifying stunt in a movie.”
Cristelle couldn’t wait anymore. She followed the clerks into the circle immediately, dashing toward Jasper, who was still lying on the ground, “Jasper? Are you okay?”
Jasper looked pale, and his face was covered in a cold sweat, “It’s okay. I’m fine.” He tried to stand up, but he suddenly collapsed again. He pressed a hand on his knee, wincing at the sharp pain.
Cristelle covered her chest. She felt so scared that she started to lose her breath. Her legs were shaking. Luckily, Jasper was still alive.
“Just… Just stop moving. Let’s go to the hospital first.” Cristelle could tell his injury was severe. She was so anxious.