All That's Left Are Memories

Chapter 9 Not My Problem

Wesley didn't even look at her. He leaned casually against his sports car, arms folded, and addressed Russell instead.

"Mr. Shelton, you know how I do things. We race. If you win, the project is yours. I'll sign it tonight."

Russell's face lit up.

"Don't celebrate just yet." Wesley's tone shifted. His gaze finally drifted toward Cynthia. "If you lose, then Cynthia and I are going to have a little catch-up."

Russell barely hesitated. In his mind, it sounded harmless, nothing more than an old acquaintance talking. In their social circle, people were always trading favors like this.

Among the wealthy racing crowd, there was an unwritten rule.

Every driver had to bring a woman to sit in the passenger seat.

Wesley smiled. "Don't get greedy, Mr. Shelton. You can't take both. You only get one."

His eyes flicked meaningfully between Cynthia and Jessica. Under Wesley's knowing gaze, Russell chose Cynthia without much thought.

Wesley chuckled. He turned and grabbed Jessica by the wrist before she could react, pulling her toward his car. "Then I'll borrow your secretary."

Jessica frowned slightly but said nothing.

The engines roared to life. The race began.

Cynthia quickly realized something was wrong. Russell wasn't focused. His eyes kept darting to the rearview mirror. He was obviously worried about Jessica.

"You know," Cynthia said quietly, "Wesley and I have history. Your project is already gone," she continued calmly.

"Shut up!" Russell snapped, slamming his foot on the gas.

The sudden acceleration threw Cynthia back in her seat, tears falling down her cheeks. "You should've picked Jessica."

"I didn't ask for your advice!" Russell growled, staring straight ahead. "I'm already way ahead of him. Looks like the so-called racing legend isn't that impressive after all."

The moment the words left his mouth, Cynthia felt a chill crawl up her spine.

She had heard too many stories about Wesley. No one beat him on the track.

Then suddenly, a ferocious engine roar thundered behind them.

In the rearview mirror, Wesley's car was closing the distance at terrifying speed.

His window slid down. With a mocking grin, he shouted something across the wind. Jessica, sitting beside him, looked completely terrified. Her scream carried over the roar of the engines.

And then, a deafening crash ripped through the night sky.

The two cars collided with catastrophic force, instantly flipping.

Cynthia and Russell were trapped inside the mangled wreck.

Russell's voice drifted out weakly. "Does this still count as my win?" It was then that he noticed Cynthia pinned beneath the debris. "Don't worry. I'll get you out!"

Agony twisted Cynthia's features.

Through the shattered glass, she looked toward the other car. Wesley had already climbed out of the driver's seat. Jessica was still trapped inside. But Wesley didn't even glance at her.

Instead, he cast a look toward Russell and Cynthia.

"Good luck," he said casually. "Looks like the gas tank's leaking. I think I'll step away before things get exciting."

Russell had just crawled free of the wreck. His anger exploded. "You're just going to walk away? Someone's still trapped in there!"

Wesley paused. But he didn't turn around. "Not my problem. You've got limited time. That car's about to blow. So maybe stop yelling and decide who you're going to save."

With that, he walked away, never looking back.

Russell looked back at Cynthia. She was still trapped inside the wreckage. For a moment, his expression darkened. Then he turned and ran toward the other car.

He dragged Jessica out first, struggling as blood soaked through her legs. "I'm taking her somewhere safe!" he shouted toward Cynthia. "I'll come back for you!"

Cynthia watched his back as he ran. Her heart sank.

The slow drip of leaking gasoline echoed through the wrecked car like a countdown to her death.

Her vision slowly faded. Then, A pair of white sneakers stopped in front of her.

*****

By the time Russell had settled Jessica in a safe location and sprinted frantically back, a deafening explosion rocked the mountain.

The wrecked car erupted into flames right in front of him.