chapter352

Nathaniel clenched his jaw, refusing to back down. He floored the gas, sweat dripping down his face while his heart thudded in sync with the roaring engine.

Behind him, Chris and the others raced after them on their bikes, wanting to catch every second of the action.

Nathaniel's crew saw what was happening and jumped in their cars too, engines rumbling as they joined the chase.

Wind Canyon had never been so loud and wild. The place was buzzing.

"Well, would you look at that! Kids these days have so much energy. Lydia is something else. She even makes street racing look cool," Mr. Jefferson said, squinting through his binoculars, barely able to keep up with the blur of cars.

He laughed, a big, booming laugh. "Look at this bunch of wannabes. My granddaughter-in-law is the real deal."

He felt genuine pride swell in his chest. She was everything the Jefferson family could hope for. That car looked like it was about to take off into the sky.

Lydia sped through the winding track and crossed the finish line first, easy as anything.

Connor glanced at her, sitting in the driver's seat, totally in control. His lips curved into a proud smile.

"How many more surprises are you hiding?" he asked.

Lydia grinned. "You'll just have to find out."

Connor nodded, a little awestruck. "I plan to."

Honestly, she never stopped amazing him.

Nearly five minutes passed before Nathaniel's car finally showed up at the finish.

In racing, five minutes was a lifetime.

Lydia had left him so far behind, it was like she'd erased him from the track. She didn't just win she humiliated him.

Nathaniel and Evan sat there, stunned. For a second, they wondered if they had taken a wrong turn. They hadn't even seen a glimpse of her car.

"Boss, is my car really that fast?" Evan asked.

"Shut up," Nathaniel snapped.

It wasn't the car. It was the driver.

Nathaniel was burning with frustration. He'd driven like his life depended on it. When he finally pulled up to the end Lydia and Connor were already out of their car, holding hands by the roadside, soaking in the view. The sunset washed over them, making everything look golden and unreal.

They turned at the sound of his engine.

Nathaniel's face burned with embarrassment and disbelief.

He never imagined Lydia could

handle both bikes and cars like an et

pro. She was in a league of her own. Seriously shed wiped the floor with him from start to finish.

Lydia checked her phone, then shot him a mischievous smile. "We waited for you for six minutes."

She didn't say anything else, but Nathaniel got the message. He was way out of his depth.

Totally outclassed.

He never realized he could lose so badly.

Nathaniel swallowed, trying to steady his breath. He managed a weak grin and gave Lydia a shaky thumbs-up My Queen, you're insane

Connor chimed in, "What about me?"

Nathaniel forced a laugh, dragging out the words. My King."

Right then, Chris and the rest of the gang rolled up, taking over the whole road.

Chris looked at Lydia, completely floored. "Lydia, you can race cars too? You're unreal."

Lydia just shrugged. "It's nothing."

Truth was, she hadn't even shown everything she could do. She didn't need to, not against a rookie like Nathaniel.

Chris glanced at Nathaniel, who was still licking his wounds, and couldn't help but gloat. So, Nathaniel, you giving in?"

Nathaniel's pride was already in pieces, but he forced himself to nod. "Yeah."

"Then call me King," Chris teased.

Nathaniel just stared, speechless.

Evan piped up, not hiding his annoyance. "Why should he? You didn't even win."