Her crimson lips curled into a faint, cold smile. It carried a hint of bloodlust. No one else noticed, but Douglas saw it clearly—the wicked intent hiding beneath that gorgeous smile.
The group signed their names and pressed their thumbprints onto the waivers.
Serena raised an eyebrow and glanced toward the livestream cameras. Looking straight into the lens, she offered a sudden, brilliant smile. The expression was radiant, adding a dangerous allure to her stunning features. "I hope, in front of all these viewers, you'll honor your bets."
The race was about to begin.
The drivers gathered at the starting line. The thousands of spectators in the stands screamed in excitement, completely hyped up by the promise of a Death Track race.
Serena stood in front of the pink supercar.
Seeing her beloved car commandeered by Serena turned Anna's face green with rage. Grinding her teeth, she snatched the keys to a different car from one of Augus's lackeys and pulled up to the starting line.
She sneered at Serena. "I hope you survive the first corner in my car."
Seven cars idled side by side at the starting grid. Anna was positioned in the middle, surrounded by the others like a star.
Suddenly, a commotion rippled through Augus's crew. A man in a professional racing suit, carrying a helmet, strode straight toward Augus's heavily modified monster truck.
"That's... Hurricane!"
Someone in the crowd recognized him and gasped. "Isn't he the undefeated underground racing king for the past three years? Augus actually hired Hurricane to drive for him?"
"Holy crap! A professional racer? The king himself!"
"That's absolutely shameless! Putting the underground king up against a young girl?"
Everyone knew what underground racing entailed. It was dirty, ruthless, and brutal. To become the king of the underground, a driver had to be capable of unspeakable tactics. Augus was blatantly trying to kill the beautiful Elyndor girl.
Boos echoed through the stands.
Augus just looked smug. "The rules never said I couldn't hire a proxy driver. If she
has the connections, she can hire one too."
Anna laughed gleefully. "Exactly. Let's see her hire a pro."
But even if Serena had the money, no one at this track would dare take the wheel for her. This was a Death Track race against Hurricane, and the other five cars were all driven by Augus's loyal men. Entering the race meant facing a six on-one execution Squad. Who would be crazy enough to step in? Serena should have established the rules before agreeing. Now, she was entirely at their mercy.
Douglas walked over, his tall frame cutting an imposing figure. He raised a brow, his voice low. "Do you need my help? I've heard of Hurricane; he's got some real skill."
He paused, a smirk playing on his lips. "This time, you don't even have to beg me."
While he enjoyed watching the drama unfold, he didn't actually want to see Serena get hurt. This entire setup was a coordinated hit on her.
"Douglas!" Anna cried out, panicking that her plan would be ruined if he intervened. Why was he always siding with this country bumpkin?