Chapter 29

Stacey hesitated. "Phillip, I've trained so long for this race. I don't think I'm any worse than Rylie. Why can't I be the one to compete?"

One of the crew chimed in, "Let Rylie handle it. She reacts better to sudden turns. Tonight's course is brutal-we're racing on a mountain road. We're just looking out for Stacey's safety."

Phillip nodded. "They're right. It's risky out there. I don't want anything to happen to you. Let Rylie do it.You'll still get credit either way."

Stacey didn't want to argue or take the risk. She faked a disappointed look and gave a small nod. "If that's what you think is best, Phillip, then okay."

Phillip gave her head a gentle pat. "I'll go sign Rylie up."

Britton was about to wave Rylie over when Phillip bumped into him on purpose. He narrowed his eyes."You're starting to act really smug."

Phillip gave a short glance. "Facing someone who always loses? | think I've earned it."

Britton raised a brow. "Don't start talking like a winner just yet."

Phillip ignored him and stepped forward, cutting Rylie off. "Didn't you say you weren't coming? So what are you doing here now?"

Rylie stared at him flatly. "Why do you care?"

Phillip clenched his jaw but said nothing at first. The race was about to begin, and he forced himself to stay calm. "If you insist on racing for my team, fine. I'll allow it. I'm letting the past go-even after how you treated Stacey. The race is starting soon. Go sign in. You'll be the backup."

Rylie gave a short, cold laugh. "Backup? Phillip, are you serious? Did I ever agree to race for you?"

Phillip's face froze. He raised his voice. "Then why are you at the sign-in booth?"

"Boss!" Britton suddenly stepped in between them, nudging Phillip out of the way as he grabbed Rylie's arm. "You promised you'd race for us."

Phillip suddenly understood that Rylie had chosen Britton's team, and he nearly exploded with anger.

"Rylie! You're actually joining Britton's team! You do know he's our biggest rival this year, don't you?"

Rylie smirked. "Why are you upset? Didn't you brag that your team could win first without me?"

Phillip snapped, "But that doesn't mean you can join Britton's team. That's betrayal!"

"Betrayal?" Rylie's face turned cold. Her voice sharpened. "You aIl kicked me out. Your family disowned me in public. I was never part of you to begin with." If anything, they betrayed her first!

Phillip's mouth opened, but no words came out. His face burned with anger. "Fine. One last offer. Join my team and I'll split the prize money with you. I'll even let you stand on the podium."

"No thanks." Rylie brushed past Britton and walked straight up to Phillip. She met his eyes and said clearly, "I'm going to win this race. That trophy? It's mine. Not yours."

Phillip was fuming. All he could do was yell, "Unbelievable! You really think you'll win without being on my team? Rylie, you're going to lose-and badly!"

Meanwhile, Britton looked pleased as ever. He led Rylie straight to the sign-in area where she signed her name under his team.

Phillip's crew stared in disbelief. "What just happened? Why would Rylie choose Britton's side?"

Stacey spoke quietly."It's probably because I joined. Maybe she didn't want to be on the same team.Should I just drop out?"

Phillip snapped his head toward her."Absolutely not! You've been training with me all this time. It would mean nothing if you quit now."

Stacey's eyes welled up. "But Rylie doesn't want to be here. Maybe I should say sorry. Ask her to come back."

Phillip's voice rose. "No! I only asked her to race out of sympathy. We'll win with or without her."

Over on Britton's side, Rylie was welcomed with cheers. The team looked thrilled to have her.

Britton turned to her. "Boss, the mountain road's rough tonight. The weather shifts fast, and the cold hits hard. Which lap do you want?"

This race had six team members per side. Each one ran a full lap. The fastest team overall would win.

Back then, Phillip's side had always counted on Rylie to make up for Stacey's slow time.

Now, with worse weather and a tougher course, Rylie glanced toward Stacey and said, "Phillip's team probably kept her as the final lap. I flew in by helicopter. The top of the mountain's already raining.Roads are slick and freezing, and it's only going to get worse as we go."

Britton nodded. "So, you're taking the last lap."

Ryle gave a firm nod. "I am. I'll show Phillip exactly what happens when he puts the wrong person at the finish."

Britton grinned. "If you're driving the last leg, we're not losing."

The starting horn blared.

Lights flashed across the track.Excitement rippled through the crowd.

Jake Hardy, the first racer from Phillip's team, walked upto Rylie and spoke in a low voice. "We always saw you as family. What you did tonight really stung. Your brother's hurt. So are we."

Rylie didn't flinch. "You say I was family, but I've never been allowed on the podium. Not once."

Jake looked away. "I thought you weren't the type to care about that kind of recognition."

Rylie let out a laugh and flipped him off. "Recognition? Then why are you even racing for first? Just for fun? And if you're so above it all, why didn't any of you give me your spot on that podium?"