He Betrayed Me, I Dumped Him

Chapter 3

Under their disbelieving stares, I stood my ground.

"If you don't believe me, Ethan, call Julian and ask him to come over."

A genuine smile finally broke across my mother's face.

"Julian from the Reed family? Fine. He is capable, dependable, and his grandmother is known for her kindness. Ethan, call him. I'll ask him myself."

My brother had barely fished out his phone to dial when Chloe jumped right back into the conversation.

"Ethan, why do you have to make everything so formal? If you and your mother summon him for an interrogation, he may not dare admit that he isn't interested in Nora.

"Why not hold a race? Announce that the winner gets the chance to pursue Nora. Then we'll see how hard Julian is willing to fight for her."

My mother's brow furrowed deeply.

"Nora's future is not a game. Julian may be brilliant in court, but that does not mean he can race. If he gets hurt, who will take responsibility? I won't allow it."

Chloe pouted and pressed herself against Ethan's arm.

"Every woman admires a man who knows how to drive. I fell for you the moment I saw you behind the wheel. Nora's boyfriend can't be someone who does nothing but read, can he?"

Then, with theatrical flair, she c****d her head to the side, feigning innocence.

"Doesn't the media call you the head of the Carter family? Why do you still need your mother's permission to make a decision?"

The moment she said that, Ethan's expression hardened.

And my heart sank right along with it.

My mom had once run the company and had handed control to Ethan only after he returned from overseas. His insecurity about that had never disappeared.

Whether Chloe had discovered that weakness by accident or was deliberately driving them apart, one thing was clear. The race was going to happen.

As expected, Ethan's voice hardened.

"If Julian truly cares about Nora, he'll do everything he can to win. If someone else wins, then perhaps he and my sister are not meant to be."

My mother opened her mouth, ready to protest, but my brother shut her down immediately.

"Or do you think I'm incapable of making even a small decision for my sister?"

With things having come to this, my mother could only let out a heavy sigh.

"Then Nora's custom jade necklace will be the prize. But phrase the announcement carefully. Do not make the result binding."

Chloe could barely contain her delight.

"I'm racing too. I've been stuck at home for so long that I'm going crazy. Nora, I'll be on a team with Ethan and Ryan. Don't be upset when we win."

So that was why she had suggested a race.

Ethan was the head of the Carter family, and everyone wanted his favor.

Who on that track would dare take victory from Ethan and his future wife?

If their team won, they would still try to force me into Ryan's arms.

Her scheme could not have been more obvious.

However, Chloe did not know that Julian had been formidable in my previous life. After forcing Ethan to apologize publicly, he had independently gathered enough evidence to dismantle a fraud ring and rescue more than ten victims.

*****

On the race day, Julian looked unexpectedly striking in his racing suit, sharper than usual.

But he still didn't dare meet my eyes.

I couldn't stifle a smile.

"I don't want to be with anyone else. You are not allowed to lose today. Do you understand?"

A spark flickered in Julian's eyes. He glanced up at me.

Then he looked away at once. His ears turned bright red, but his answer was firm.

"I'll win. I promise."