Chapter 56

The crowd held its breath as the countdown reached its end, the glowing numbers fading into a single digit-1.

A bright message stretched across the screen: "Congratulations! You cleared the challenge!"

"No way! She actually pulled it off? It's been two whole years since anyone managed this."

"I figured it was just another wannabe influencer chasing views, but she is the real deal. She even finished ten minutes quicker than the veteran who passed three years back. Now I'm dying to know what style she used."

"The tower never reveals the details, only whether you passed or failed. We could just ask...wait, where did she disappear to?"

The crowd scanned the plaza, but Emilia and Sloane were already gone, their car slipping into the street before anyone could stop them.

Inside the car. "I honestly thought you might be out of practice and fall short, but clearly I was worrying for nothing," said Sloane, grinning as he glanced her way.

"I guess I was a little out of practice. I only managed to finish 10 faster than the one who cleared it three years ago," said Emilia, slumping against the seat with a faint trace of sadness in her tone.

"Oh, cut it out! You were holding back on purpose. If you'd gone all in, you would've shattered the record, made headlines across the country, and had every academy principal knocking on your door before sunrise,"remarked Sloane with a knowing look.

Had Emilia chosen to unleash her full ability,her record might have stood as an untouchable mark for years to come.

"Come on, I'm not that good," Emilia teased with a crooked smile.

"In my eyes, you are the best. No matter what anyone else says, you'll always be the best in the world to me," Sloane said with a laugh.

Their banter soon turned into an exchange of playful exaggerations, both tossing out over-the-top compliments until the car was filled with laughter.

The lighthearted mood broke as the apartment building came into view. Sloane's grin faded in an instant.

"What the hell is that bastard's brother doing here?" Her eyes narrowed, her displeasure plain as she caught sight of Sebastian lounging against a sleek black Ferrari.

"Look at him, trying to pull off the cool act with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Too bad he's nowhere near Elias' league," Sloane muttered,tightening her grip on the steering wheel and rolling her eyes with deliberate annoyance.

For a fleeting second, she imagined slamming her foot on the gas and sending Sebastian flying.He had been nothing but a nuisance to Emilia,and she'd been itching for an excuse to wipe that smug look off his face.

The mention of Elias' name stirred something in Emilia, her mind painting the image of his strikingly defined face.

His features seemed as though they were chiseled from stone-sharp lines, bold and commanding, with a proud nose and thin lips that came together in near perfection.

Sebastian might have been handsome in a conventional sense,but when measured against Elias, he was just ordinary.

Sebastian drummed his fingers against the Ferrari, irritation building as he debated asking Rodger for Emilia's number. Just then, a plain black car rolled into viewv. He wouldn't have spared the vehicle a thought if not for the sight of two familiar figures stepping out-the very women he couldn't stand.

Neither Emilia nor Sloane spared him a glance.They closed the car doors and strode off as if he didn't even exist.

Still propped againstthe hood, Sebastian had expected them to come over, maybe even demand an explanation for his presence.Instead,they brushed past him without the slightest acknowledgment.

"Hey, wait up!" he shouted, the sting of being ignored reddening his face as he rushed forward.

"What do you want now?" Sloane retorted,her eyes narrowing with open contempt. "Move it! This doesn't concern you," Sebastian snapped,giving her an irritated glare.

Turning to Emilia, Sebastian asked, "Do you have the guts to place a bet with me?"