The roar of forty stock car engines rewing simultaneously was a physical force that vibrated de ep in Anissas chest.
She stood behindthe thick soundproofglass of the Thunder Speedway's VIP skybox looking down at the starting grid Caleb stood two paces behindher, a silent, lethal shadow.
The skybox was luxurious filled with catered food and leather sofas, but the air insidewas completely toxic.
Sitting on the prime center sofa, holding a crystal flute of champagne. was Brendan. Next to himwas Ashlee. Her miraculous recovery from her “heart condition’ was complete. She was glowing her cheeks flushed with excitement as she looked down at the track.
Brendan refused to look at Anissa He was staring rigidly at the television monitors, still hiding from the reality of the legal document buminga hole in his pocket.
Ashlee, however, couldn resist. She saw Anissa standing alone by the glass. Like a shark smelling blood, she stood up, smoothed her Chanel skirt, and walked over.
Ashlee stood next to Anissa looking down at Forrest's red and white car onthe grid.
“It's so dangerous out there, isn't it?" Ashlee murmured her voice dripping with fake concern. She leaned closer, droppingher voice to a venomous whispermeant only for Anissa. ‘Especially that hairpin turn. | heard the brakes take a terrible beating there. Forrest always pushes so hard... it would be sucha shame if somethingwent wrong Can you imagine? You'd be so devastated, sister.”
Anissas blood froze.
Ashlees words weren't a guess. They were a gloat. Ashlee knew about the brake line. She might not have cut it herself, but she absolutely knew the hit had been ordered,
A wave of pure violent rage washed over Anissa. She wanted to wrap her hands around Ashlee s throat and squeeze until her eyes poppedout She rubbed her thumb hard against her index knuckle suppressingthe 0.0% 1500 „Ji
S chà tế 35, #% +120 Points at most urgeto commit murderina VIP box
Anissa didnt look at her, She k ept her eyes on the track.
“You're goingto be very disappointed” Anissa said, her voice droppingto a temperature that could freeze nitrogen His car is in perfect condition. But you should be worrying about your own brakes, Ashlee. Because you'reabout to crash."
Ashlee let out a soft, mockinglaugh. ‘Please. Mom hired the best crisis PR firm in Manhattan this moming That stupid piece of paper you gave Brendan? It's a clerical error. Nobody can prove | forged your signature Im untouchable”
To prove her point Ashlee reached up and touched the heavy diamond necklace resting on her collarbone. It was a cheap r eplica of Anissas grandmother's necklace, but Ashlee wore it like a crown.
“Next week is the Manhattan Elite Charity Ball” Ashlee smirked. Til be walking the red carpet. And you? You'll be sitting in some hotel room, waiting for your old man to finish using you. You can't even get an invitation.”
Anissa slowly turned her head. She looked at Ashlee's smug triumphant face.
Anissa smiled, It was a terrifying predatory smile that made the hairs on the back of Ashlee's neck stand up.
Anissaleaned in her ips hoveringinches from Ashlee's ear.
“If you dare show your face at that ball,” Anissa whispered her voice vibrating with dark promise, 1 wil buy the entire event. | will have the DJ cut the music. And | will project the forensic handwritinganalysis of your forgery, along with the bank transfer records of the stolen money, onto the walls of the ballroom in fifty-foot highletters *
Ashlee’s breath hitched
“Iwill stripyou naked in front of every single person you have ever tried to impress.” Anissa continued her tone merciless. 'l will make sure you leave that buildingin police handcuffs
Absolute, paralyzing terror flooded Ashlee's eyes. She stared at Anissa, realizing with sickening clarity that the woman In front of her wasn't bluffing. Anissa had the Snow Empire's wealth behind her. She could absolutely do Ít.
Ashlee's hand began to shake violently. The crystal flute tilted
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A splash of cold champagne spilled over the rim soakingdirectiy intothe front of her expensive Chane! jacket.
Down on the track, the green flag dropped.
The deafeningroar of the race began. The cars shot forward like bullets. Anissa turned her attention to the massive television monitor hanging from the ceiling The camera tracked Forrest's red car as it approached the notorious hairpin tum-the exact spot where he had died in the previoustimeline.
Ashlee held her breath, her wet dress forgotten, staring at the screen with desperate, manic hope Crash. Please crash.
On the screen, Forrest didr! t brake early. He drove de ep into the corner, ‘waiting until the absolute last millisecond,
He slammed on the brakes. The liquid metal patch held flawlessly
The cars rear end kicked out. Forrest executed a violently aggressive perfectly controlled drift, sliding the car within an inch of the concrete wall. He used the momentum to slingshot past the lead car, stealing first place ina move of pure, arrogant brilliance.
The crowd inthe grandstands went absolutely insane
Ashlee's face tured the color of wet cement. Her mouth fell open. The plan had falled. Forrest was alive, and Anissa held her life in her hands. Anissa looked at the red car pulling away from the pack. A fierce, proud smile lit up her face.
She tuned her head slightly, lookingat the trembling champagne soaked girl beside her.
“Enjoy your last few days of freedom, Ashlee," Anissa said softly. ‘The countdown has started
Anissa walked away, leaving Ashlee suffocating in her own terror. She walked to the leather sofa, took a glass of sparkling water from Caleb, and sat down to watch her brother win.
100.0% 1509 ml
< Mamying My Exs Powerfui Blfonare Un.. #* +120 Points at most The black and white checkered flag waved violently inthe ai.
Forrest's red and white stock car tore across the finish line, a full four seconds ahead of the second-place driver. He hadn't just won; he had absolutely annihilated the track record.
The Thunder Speedway erupted. The roar of the crowd was deafening, but it was nothing compared to the absolute chaos inside the Apex team's pit garage. Mechanics were screaming hugging and spraying cheap beer into the air.
Upinthe soundproof VIP box, the atmosphere was a stark contrast. Brendan sat frozen onthe sofa, hisface a mask of bitter humiliation The racing team he had personally sponsored and heavily invested in hadnt even cracked the top ten. He had come hereto gloat, and instead, he was watching the brother he had discarded become a legend.
Down on the track, Forrest didn't drive into the winners circle immediately. He slammed on the brakes right below the VIP skyboxes. He ripped the steering wheel off the column, threw himself out of the window, and scrambled up the heavy chainlink catch fence like a madman. Hanging ten feet in the air, he ripped off his helmet and balaclava
He looked straight up at the glass of Anissas box and threw up a massive, two- fingered 'V for victory.
Anissastood at the glass, pressingher hand against the pane, a massive, genuinesmile breakingacross her face.
Fifteen minutes later, the official trophy presentation began on the podium
Forrest stood on the top st ep, completely soaked in expensive champagne The league presidenthanded hima massive, gleaming silver cup.
Instead of holding t up for the cameras, Forrest tucked the heavy silver trophy under hisarm. He ignoredthe screamingr eporters and the podium girls. He jumpeddown from the stage and marched straight toward the 00% 1519 N1
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