Betrayed By The Billionaire

108

The core of the issue was as cold and hard as the asphalt on the track. In the world of high-stakes racing, a car is a bottomless money pit, and from initial purchase to high-performance modifications, a team can sink hundreds of thousands—even millions—into a single machine. Every race consumes tires, fuel, and parts that no ordinary person could afford, and it was clear that Coach Lee had gambled his entire life savings to polish Feifei into a star over the last two years.

Now, Feifei was the only asset Team Swift had left, with her name being the sole reason sponsors stayed and students signed up for the training academy. If she walked away, she wasn't just leaving a job; she was taking the team's life support with her, and Team Swift would likely be forced to declare bankruptcy within weeks.

Despite Coach Lee standing there with bloodshot eyes, Feifei’s expression remained as cold as ice as she challenged him to show everyone the paperwork, claiming her contract had expired six months ago. Her friend Serena chimed in, telling the crowd that Feifei had been incredibly loyal by staying an extra half-year out of respect for her late boyfriend, Ethan. For a moment, the spectators seemed to agree that a rising star shouldn't be chained to a dying team forever just because of a past romance.

However, Coach Lee finally snapped, roaring that Feifei was a nobody—a complete rookie—two years ago when she gained Ethan's spot. He argued that he only poured his heart and wealth into her because she looked him in the eye at Ethan’s grave and promised never to leave. He pointed out the brutal logic of the industry: no team signs a rookie to a two or three-year deal because the massive investment in training and equipment takes much longer to recover.

In the racing world, a short-term contract is a luxury reserved only for established stars who bring their own millions in funding or for wealthy "pay drivers" who fund their own hobby. Since Feifei was a penniless newcomer two years ago, it became painfully obvious to the onlookers that Coach Lee had only treated her like his own daughter because of a vow that she was now conveniently discarding.

Watching this from the sidelines, Chloe Bishop felt a surge of cold mockery. She knew the Chen family genes well, as both Feifei and Cindy were masters of the calculated betrayal, using people as stepping stones only to kick them away once they reached higher ground.

Chloe looked at the weary Coach Lee and then at her arrogant cousin, realizing that her own path to freedom was right in front of her. If she wanted to satisfy Xavier Grayson’s ultimatum and win a top-three spot in the Qualifiers, she didn't need a corporate giant—she needed a team that had already lost everything and was hungry for a miracle.

Stepping forward with her heels clicking sharply against the concrete, Chloe drew every eye in the pit lane as she approached the shell-shocked Coach Lee. Ignoring Feifei’s scoff about socialites and ballrooms, Chloe bowed her head to the veteran in a gesture of deep respect and made an offer that silenced the entire track.

"I'll make you a deal, Feifei," Chloe said, her voice like silk over a blade. "One lap on this track. If I beat your best time in Coach Lee’s 'scrap metal,' you walk away and leave the sponsors to the man who built your career. If I lose, I’ll personally fund your new team for the next three years."

Coach Lee looked at Chloe as if she were a guardian angel, while Feifei’s eyes gleamed with greed at the prospect of the Bishop fortune. Chloe knew the risk, but as she looked at Liam Jr. watching the cars with wide eyes, she knew that for both her and Team Swift, it was time to stop being victims and start being victors.