Chapter 9

,"So, who's stepping up first? Or should I pull straws for you?" asked the referee, surveying the contestants with curiosity in his tone.

Rodger started to answer, but before he could speak,Emilia raised her hand.

"He can take the first turn."

A gasp rolled through the audience. This wasn't any ordinary contest. The Death Race was infamous for pushing both body and mind past their limits.Anyone who went up earlier had a distinct edge. The rules were simple but cutthroat-if two scores matched,the one who competed first would always win.

Stepping up sooner meant less pressure and better odds of survival. Year after year, the statistics never changed. Contestants who waited longer to perform had a grimly higher chance of meeting their end.

"Did she just give up her chance to go first? Is she really that sure of herself?"

"I have to admit, that kind of guts is impressive. Even if she loses, I'll respect her for this."

"Maybe she has no clue how these things work.I mean, she's just a housewife. Maybe the rules are over her head."

Rodger stared at Emilia, his surprise obvious.He hadn't expected her to hand him the advantage. A wrinkle of uncertainty crept into his expression.

Was Emilia so confident that she didn't care? Or was this some kind of secret message?

"You do realize what you're giving up, right? Going first could easily decide the outcome. Why give me that edge?" Rodger leaned in, unable to hide his suspicion.

Emilia cut him off before he could say another word."Believe me, I know exactly what I'm doing."

With a teasing grin, she asked, "You don't actually think I'd throw away an advantage just because l've still got a soft spot for you, do you?"

Rodger bristled, his discomfort plain. "Then tell me.Why are you doing this?"

"Because I'm confident enough," said Emilia, arching an eyebrow with confidence. "I know I can take you down, Rodger, no matter what advantage you have."

Her challenge seemed to hit a nerve, and Rodger's frown grew even sharper.

He forced a mocking laugh. "Big talk. Alright then,Emilia. Let's see you try."

Before he climbed into the driver's seat, Rodger tossed a smug glance her way. "You'd better brace yourself, because today's not your day."

Emilia watched him buckle up, her smile never fading. Almost under her breath, she whispered,"Let's see who has the last laugh, Rodger."

The second the green light flickered on, his car blazed off the starting line.

Rodger barreled down the track, knowing the stakes. He could not afford to slow even a second too soon,or it would all be over for him.

Nerves buzzed under his skin. He had never attempted a Death Race, and every muscle in his body tensed as he gripped the wheel, heart thumping wildly.

Rodger locked his gaze on the finish, the line standing between triumph and defeat. Missing it by a fraction would cost him everything.

Too much speed could spell disaster, yet slowing down even a moment early would mean certain loss.

Every beat of his heart echoed the tension in the arena.

Pushing the car past the line, Rodger slammed on the brakes, nerves stretched tight as wire.

He squeezed the steering wheel so hard his hands ached,sweat dripping from his fingers.

The vehicle screeched to a halt, the nose stopping just short of the stacked barrels of gasoline. The referee bent down to check, then called out, "7.5centimeters!"

Instantly, applause and shouts erupted from the stands.

"Did you see that? Rodger pulled it off! First Death Race, and he nails it-pretty

incredible!"

"That's the gap between the pros and the amateurs.With a score like that, she doesn't stand a chance."

Sloane's expression tightened as she watched,anxiety knotting in her stomach and her hands clenched tight.

She had faith in Emilia's strength, but three years of Emilia living quietly, away from the track, left her unsettled.One wrong move could end it all.

"You were incredible out there! I can't believe I get to call you mine!" Violet bounced over to Rodger,practically glowing.

From the sidelines, Sloane rolled her eyes and tossed out a snarky remark. "Is that all it takes to impress you? He barely got close to the barrels. Not exactly worth bragging about, if you ask me."

She'd had enough of Violet's fake enthusiasm and could barely stomach her presence.

"What, you think you're some racing genius?"Sebastian sneered, not missing a beat. "If you had half a brain, you wouldn't be hanging around someone like Emilia. That woman's nothing but a parasite. My brother came out here and crushed his first Death Race, so maybe you should start making plans for Emilia's farewell party. She might crush in a blaze-and nobody will even remember her."

Without warning, Sloane's composure snapped. She struck him hard across the face. "You'd better watch what you say! I won't stand here and let you talk about Emilia like that!"

The knot of dread in her chest only tightened.Between her fears for Emilia's safety and Sebastian's vicious taunts, Sloane's patience had finally run dry.

How dare they look down on Emilia? Who gave themthe nerve?

Sebastian's face twisted with rage. "You've got some nerve laying hands on me!"

Sloane straightened her shoulders, not backing down an inch. "I'll do it again if you open that mouth one more time!"

Within moments, the argument exploded into a brawl, fists flying and chaos erupting around them.By the time it ended, Sebastian was left nursing more than just his bruised ego.

On the track, Rodger basked in his success, thinking the risk and sweat had all paid off. The thrill of victory made him forget his nerves.

A wave of self-satisfaction swept over him as he caught Emilia's eye. In his mind, defeat for her was inevitable. She didn't stand a chance.

He walked up to her, voice dripping with condescension. "Save yourself the trouble and call it quits now. Maybe you'll walk away in one piece."