Unmasking the Heiress

hapter 73

"Goddess! Goddess!" The crowd chanted loudly, her star shining brightest on the racetrack tonight.

In the throng of people, there was someone encircled by fans, her silhouette and stance a mirror image of Evangeline's. She even brought to mind the defiant figure who had given Evangeline the finger at Sunlit Heights. Was it truly her? Walter elbowed his way through the crowd.

"Let's race. The prize? The winner takes the loser's night. Are you game?" he said, locking eyes with the queen of the racetrack.

The woman hesitated, her reaction silencing the crowd momentarily.

Staking one's own night was a bold move.

"So, if I lose, you 'own' me?" she asked, her tone not quite matching Evangeline's.

"That's right. However, if you lose, you're mine tonight," said Walter, emphasizing every word.

She let out a scoff, laced with scorn. "I won't lose. But sure, I'll bet against you, just to see that look of scorn wiped off your face later. Unless I'm mistaken, weren't you the one who lost the mountain race last time?"

She was still the same fierce competitor from Sunlit Heights.

Noticing the Rolls Royce Phantom behind Walter, she quipped, "Really? You're challenging me in that?"

Walter strode over to a fellow racer, flipping him the keys. "Let's make a deal, this car's yours."

The young racer, born into wealth, knew well that Walter's ride was worth more than a fleet of his own. Grinning, he accepted the keys and handed over a polished helmet to Walter. The other racers looked on enviously, wishing they had been the ones to strike such a deal Their eyes met, both filled with fierce determination. As the starting gun fired, they took off like arrows from a bow, leaving behind nothing but a cloud of dust.

"Wow, look at him go! That guy's got some serious skills," someone in the crowd marveled.

The kid who had just sold his car was left slack-jawed, scratching his head in disbelief. "Holy cow, is that really my old ride? It's like a rocket! Part of me wishes I hadn't sold it."

"Don't play coy just because you snagged a bargain.

"Any bets on who's taking home the win tonight?"

"Come on, it's a no-brainer. The goddess got this in the 3g. That dude's money didn't help him last time at Sunlit Heights. He's probably in for another embarrassing sprint up the mountain tonight!" Meanwhile, Walter and Evangeline were oblivious to the chatter down below. For them, the serpentine mountain road was the only thing that existed, and victory was the only thing on their minds.

However, Mystic Opal Hill was a beast compared to Sunlit Heights, with its higher elevation and icy roads at night. Walter kept his focus on the road and on

Evangeline's every move.

They raced through the night like specters, their cars darting between the trees and shadows.

Sparks flew from the motorcycle's tires, leaving a glittering trail on the asphalt.

A fallen branch blocked Evangeline's path. At those speeds, dodging meant a dangerous turn, and on the icy road, their only choice was to slow down and switch lanes. However, slowing down could mean losing it all. Evangeline did not let up. She gunned the engine, aiming to jump right over the obstacle. It was a risky move on the downhill slope, practically flirting with death.

Her bike soared over the gap like a wild horse leaping a ravine, but as soon as it touched down, the icy road sent it into a treacherous slide.

Walter did not hesitate. With a swift maneuver, he steered his bike against

Evangeline's, preventing her from a disastrous swerve. In a flash, they both crashed to the ground.

Rolling across the dirt, Walter clung to Evangeline, their bodies coming to a stop after several tumbles. Thankfully, their helmets had spared them from serious harm. Are

you okay?" Walter's voice was laced with concern as he helped her to her feet. "I'm fine, but what about you?" Evangeline brushed herself off, her heart still racing +75 BONUS

from the near miss. If Walter had not intervened, she could have been a goner, her bike a twisted wreck at the bottom of the hill.

In that critical moment, he had thrown caution to the wind to save her, a total stranger. Maybe he was not as indifferent as she had thought.

He was a decent guy, risking it all for someone he did not know. However, why did he have to be the one to break her heart so thoroughly?

"I'm good," said Walter, standing up and shaking off the dust.

Relieved that he was unharmed, Evangeline jumped back on her bike and took off without a word. She had a race to win. Walter had bet on himself, and she would not disappoint. She was determined to make him lose, big time, to pay him back for his cockines Walter watched her speed away, then quickly mounted his bike to chase after her. She was playing with fire.

Goddess! She was a goddess on wheels!

"Wow, fourteen minutes! The goddess just set a new record at fifteen minutes!" someone exclaimed.

"That's insanely quick. Most racers can't even come close!"

Little did they know, Evangeline had lost precious time from her fall. Had she not, her record would have been even more jaw-dropping.

As the striking figure in black made her grand return, the crowd's anticipation reached a fever pitch. They erupted into cheers, welcoming back their queen with

open arms.