Chapter 123 After the Race
Jean furrowed her eyebrows. “Mr. Royden, it’s my freedom to choose who I associate with. You should worry about yourself.” She looked at him icily.
He had no right to chide her with their current relationship. Even if she couldn’t put up with it anymore, what did it have to do with him?
“If you called me on the car just to say this rubbish to me, then please stop the car now, Mr. Royden.” He took out the bracelet gift box and chucked it at her.
“Take this as a reward for handling the Oprah couple for me,” he said stiffly and raised his head. “stop the car at the front, Mr. Hughes.”
Giving the box a brief look, Jean took it and got off the car. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Even so, Jean had no choice in her situation. If Edgar had dug a hole and told her to jump into it, she would have to do as he said with a smile on her face.
That is how the world works. She took a few steps and turned back to the car driving away. “Surprisingly, he didn’t lose his temper.”
…
Three days later, on the night before the Thunderbolt Cup. Jean received a call from Sonny.
“Our co-driver for Dark Horse had an emergency. The race is tomorrow, but we can’t find a substitute. If you have time, can you help us one more time? Don’t worry, I won’t let you work for nothing. Shall we split the prize money three to seven?”
Sonny was worried that she would disagree and quickly added, “Ben refused to get you to help at first. But the race is coming up, and I just couldn’t find anyone to help.”
It would be Saturday the next day, and Jean had free time. “Sure, I’ll help. But you should try continuing your search. If there’s anyone that is more suitable…”
“You are our one and only outstanding candidate! No one could compete with you, our goddess of victory!” He slapped his thigh in joy as Jean agreed. “I think I can make an order for a celebratory dinner now.”
Early the next morning, Ben came to fetch Jean. He was quiet, unlike usual. Jean leaned her head against her head and faced him. “Are you nervous?”
He shook his head. His hand was gripping the steering wheel. “Is there trouble among the crew again?”
He kept silent and sighed. “Hmm.” “You shouldn’t get on the field if there’s something on your mind,” Jean advised sensibly. Once they entered the track, there would be no turning back. No one could bear the consequences if anything were to happen during the race.
The car came to a stop outside the racing tracks. The sound of engines was rumbling throughout the place. Ben laughed out of the blue. His dark eyes shone brightly. “Jean, will you give me a chance? Let’s have a talk after the race.”
Is he distracted by this problem?
Jean nodded and gave him a thumbs up. After they registered, they headed to their respective changing rooms.
Jean was trying on a helmet when she heard two workers gossiping. “Did you hear that Dark Horse had a fallout with his family over the cost of their crew?”
“I did. Apparently, his family forced him to get engaged to a young woman from a wealthy family. But he likes someone else and argued with his family.”
“I heard the person he likes is the one he proposed to on stage during the prize-giving ceremony. That…”
“Shh! Not so loud!”
Jean waited until the workers had left, then walked out. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed absentmindedly.
They needed to have a good talk.
The seats on either side of the racetracks were filled with audiences.
Edgar was present as a sponsor. He sat in the VIP room instead of the seats by the track.
“Mr. Royden, Mr. Edbert has boarded the plane. He’s estimated to arrive at Yorktown International Airport in four hours.”
“Make sure the apartment is ready.”
“I understand, Mr. Royden.”
Edgar raised his head. His eyes landed on the screen, and there was an unreadable expression on his face.
Earlier in the morning, Royden Group had terminated their contract with Ludwig Group. It wasn’t that he bore a grudge against Ben. He just wasn’t satisfied with the quality of Ludwig Group’s products.
The previous collaborations were successful. This time around, Edgar decided to restructure his company internally. At the same time, the group had terminated cooperation with a few old company partners.
Ludwig Group was one of them.
Ten minutes before the race, Ben received a call from Farra.
“Benny, your father has invited Mr. Sans’ family for dinner tonight. You must come after your race, alright? There is a lot of trouble in your father’s company this time. It’s all Edgar Royden’s handiwork behind our backs…”
Ben was tired of hearing the complaints about home and the company.
“Mom, I have to go. You can tell me about the rest at night.”
Farra was displeased. “Which one is more important? Your racing competition or your parents? You know that so much trouble has come up in our company. Only your engagement to Ally will save our family!”
“Dark Horse, you’re next on stage.”
Ben lowered his head and said in a low voice. “Mom, I beg you. Let me finish this race. I’ll listen to whatever you say, alright?”
He was the only son in the family. There were certain things that only he could do.
She sighed in relief at his words and smiled. “That’s the right thing to do. Mom believes you’ll make the correct decision.”
Ben hung up the phone, drained by the call. He put on his jacket and walked out.
Was that the correct decision for him to make?
The sounds of cheering from the fans in the audience were deafening.
“Dark Horse! Dark Horse!”
Jean was waiting in the car. She smiled amusingly. “I didn’t know you were this popular.”
A smile began to form on his lips. He pushed his turbulent emotions out of his mind. “Jean, I will win this time.”
Whether it is in this race or in business.
He could only protect her from others’ ill treatment if he was stronger.
Jean didn’t notice the hidden meaning behind his words. She smiled. “Yes, you must win.”
Moments later, the race started.
“Dark Horse is taking the lead at the first bend.”
“He’s going fast. Will Dark Horse create a new record again this time?”
“Audiences, let’s wait and see who today’s champion will be… Wait, what’s happening with Dark Horse? Let the cameras zoom in. It seems that Dark Horse has lost control of the car!”
Sonny burst into the control room. “Get the ambulances. Dark Horse’s brakes are malfunctioning.”
Bang!
The crashing sound resonated throughout the area.
As smoke began to billow from the car, the rescue worker carried Ben and Jean out with stretchers.
Ben held onto Jean’s hand and yelled her name frantically.
…
Half an hour later.
Farra sobbed by the operation room, “My son! You have to survive!”
Mr. Coleman came to comfort her after inquiring with the nurse on duty. “Please calm down. Mr. Ludwig is still in surgery. I’ve contacted the hospital director for the examination.”
“I told him before, don’t enter these races anymore. Yet he wouldn’t listen! It’s all that woman’s fault! Is she only satisfied if my son dies!”
