The two men lowered their windows almost simultaneously—one cold and regal, the other gentle yet distant.
Their icy glares collided in mid-air, and the surrounding temperature seemed to plummet to the freezing point. Xavier Grayson’s face was a mask of frost, his gaze razor-sharp with a silent warning. "Know your place. If there is a next time, consider yourself warned of the consequences."
Facing Xavier’s intimidation, Liam Martin didn't flinch. His own gaze was just as piercing, though laced with a thick layer of resentment and bitter hatred. "Xavier, you should never have laid a finger on her."
Xavier’s aura was that of a dominant predator; even sitting still, he commanded a terrifying, wordless authority. "Remember this: she is my woman now. Unless I decide I no longer want her, no one else is permitted to even think of her."
Under Liam’s dark, unwilling stare, Xavier slowly rolled up his window. His black sedan pulled away, quickly vanishing from sight.
Chloe’s phone rang for a long time, only connecting on the very last ring. "Where are you?" her voice was frantic.
"Right behind you," Xavier replied simply.
Chloe immediately twisted around to look out the rear window. Three seconds later, Xavier’s car reappeared in her line of vision. She let out a heavy sigh of relief, the disappointment that had begun to pool in her chest finally evaporating. She had truly thought he had abandoned them midway for work.
She had no idea that her "current" and her "ex" had just had a head-on confrontation only a few blocks away. Seeing his father's car, Liam Jr. finally relaxed completely.
Team Swift Headquarters
Vince had arrived at the track early that morning, only to find Coach Lee already there. The two of them sat by the edge of the massive practice field, looking out over the sprawling facility and reminiscing about their former glory.
Team Swift had started much earlier than the current powerhouse, Warship Racing, and had once been a staple on the international circuit. Even now, Swift boasted the largest grounds in the city, perfectly situated between the West City Racetrack and the legendary Ethan’s Circuit.
However, the team had withered away. They were down to twenty low-spec practice cars, barely a dozen professional drivers, and a handful of students. Meanwhile, their long-time rival, Warship, had become the new "cradle" for rising stars.
Vince patted the back of Coach Lee’s hand. "Everything is going to get better."
"I know," Coach Lee murmured. "From the moment I first saw her the other night, I knew she was the one we’ve been waiting for."
Vince nodded, checking his watch. "The time is almost up. She should be arriving soon. Let’s head out to greet her."
But just as Vince helped Coach Lee to his feet, a series of loud, crashing thuds echoed from the front of the building, accompanied by a chaotic stream of shouting and cursing. Vince looked toward the entrance, his face instantly darkening with alarm.
"Something's wrong. Coach, call the police! Now!"
Before the words could even leave his mouth, several men armed with iron pipes burst into the courtyard, heading straight for them.
"Who are you? What do you think you're doing?" Vince stepped forward, shielding Coach Lee and attempting to block their path. One of the men didn't hesitate; he delivered a brutal kick to Vince’s abdomen, sending the mechanic crashing to the ground.
"Vince!"
Seeing the violence, Coach Lee tried to retreat while fumbling for his phone to dial emergency services. But the intruders were too fast. Before he could even press a button, the phone was snatched from his hand. Thankfully, they didn't lay a hand on the elderly man, but their intent was clear.
"Smash everything!" the leader roared.
The sound of shattering glass and twisting metal filled the air as the men began systematically destroying the few remaining assets of Team Swift.
Chloe is pulling up to the gates of Team Swift with the most powerful man in the city by her side, unaware that the team she just joined is being dismantled by thugs. Will Xavier step in to save the "crippled old man" he was just mocking, or will he let Team Swift burn to test Chloe’s resolve?