Chapter 314 Brutal Accident
Every gain comes with a loss.
But what Tilda had gained was way more important than anything she lost.
“We can’t wait to see your surprise.”
Tilda didn’t want to say more, so Dane and Mystro didn’t push her.
They respected her choices.
That was what seniors like them should do.
The second round of the race started.
Santiago sat in a Lamborghini Countach 5000.
Its sleek green body sat low and flat. A modified rear wing made it look even sharper.
When he hit the gas, blue flames shot out of the exhaust.
Everyone’s eyes went wide.
Santiago gripped the wheel, closed his eyes, and took a few deep breaths.
I can’t let Tilda distract me.
All my questions and confusion will have to wait until after the race.
Calm down. Stay calm, Santiago.
But no matter how hard he tried, his mind kept thinking about Tilda—the Tilda he had just run into, the Tilda from photos and video calls.
All the confusion was swirling in his mind…
Suddenly, the referee’s whistle blew, and Santiago snapped back to focus.
He slammed the gas.
I’m already behind!
Damn it!
He bit his tongue to clear his head.
This is a race. Focus, Santiago! No distractions!
But…
Tilda smashed the world record. Five minutes, twenty seconds.
A time I can only dream of.
Can I even get close?
That single thought almost threw him off balance.
On a high-speed, dangerous night race–with dim lights, slick snow, and wet roads–any distraction could be deadly.
Tilda and the others watched the race.
They noticed immediately when Santiago fell to last place.
“That Countach 5000 is tuned really well. On a straight, it shouldn’t lose to a Mercedes 300SL or Ferrari 250 GTO.”
“Tilda, is he trying to copy you? Waiting in the back to pull off a corner overtake?”
Cars like this were men’s ultimate dream.
Mystro always looked untouchable as Myst; he was cold and silent. Few knew who he really was.
But he had an amazing car collection, consisting of rare models and limited editions.
His garage stretched for miles, with machines most people only saw in magazines.
Why? Because he could. When you had that money, indulgence was its own answer.
“No,” Tilda said flatly, sipping her orange juice.
“He’s just sloppy because his head’s a mess. At this rate, he’ll be lucky if he doesn’t flip the car, never mind finishing near the top.”
Her voice dripped with contempt.
Dane and Mystro noticed her sour mood immediately.
I see.
The driver who got under her skin is the Countach 5000 guy.
If Tilda hates him, then we both hate him.
In another lounge, Harry and Amanda watched the live broadcast.
Harry nearly jumped out of his chair. “What the hell?! Santiago’s dead last! How could he mess up this badly?!”
“This isn’t good.”
Amanda’s face went pale.
She knew cars and racing. She could tell immediately.
Santiago was barely holding it together, clutching the wheel as if it were slipping.
This wasn’t him, not even close. He wasn’t driving at a third of his usual level.
On a fast, dark, dangerous mountain road, the tiniest mistake could be fatal.
Amanda almost ran to find a race official to tell Santiago to quit before it got worse.
But the worst still happened.
Screech!
Santiago went into a curve.
His speed and angle were all wrong.
Bang!
The Countach hit the edge.
At that speed, the car lifted into the air.
Then it slammed down hard.
The crash shook the track.
The Lamborghini crumpled into a twisted heap, with shattered pieces flying everywhere.
A brutal accident had happened.
The crowd gasped.
Harry and Amanda stared at the live stream, hearts pounding.
“S–San…”
Harry’s mouth hung open.
He was so shocked that he couldn’t even speak.
It was as if he’d lost his voice.
Because Santiago had been last, the three cars ahead sped on almost unaffected.
The crash barely changed the race.
Everyone chosen for this race was well-trained, with plenty of experience in big events.
They knew the Rocky Mountains’ Christmas track was dangerous.
All had signed waivers, fully aware that death was a possibility.
The medical team was already rushing out.