Chapter 316 Recognized
Seeing that Santiago still had energy to tease Harry, it was clear he wasn’t seriously hurt. All the worry Harry had felt while Santiago was unconscious had almost eaten him alive. Right then, Harry and Amanda exchanged a look. It seemed as if they wanted to say something.
Santiago asked, “Something else happened, didn’t it? Just say it. You don’t usually keep secrets. If this is about my car flipping, don’t bother. Honestly, I’ve never felt this humiliated in my career. But the fact is—I crashed. I can’t argue with that. I lost. And I’m alive. That’s already a blessing.”
Santiago took the defeat calmly. Even the best drivers make mistakes. Anyone who raced at such high speeds and adrenaline levels was bound to slip up sometimes. Santiago had dared to take that risk, but he wasn’t fearless. He was scared of dying. Now, lying in bed, alive, he let out a big breath of relief. When the car flipped, memories flashed through his mind like a movie reel. Most of them were about his family. He had really thought he was going to die.
“Look at this message yourself,” Amanda said. She had meant to tell him in person, but the words stuck in her throat. So she handed him her phone, showing the chat with Tilda.
Santiago took it, confused. When he saw the conversation, he froze.
Harry carefully asked, “Santiago… you really didn’t know Tilda cut ties with the Jensons?”
“That’s impossible… I didn’t know. My parents never told me either. No. I need to call home! I have to find out what’s going on!”
Harry tried to stop him. Santiago was still injured. Getting worked up could make things worse. But Amanda held Harry back.
“Amanda, what…”
“This is the Jensons’ family business. We can’t interfere. Now that Santiago knows, he won’t rest until he gets answers.”
“Ugh! I told you we should’ve waited a few days before telling him, but no, you had to do it now…”
“I was afraid I wouldn’t have the courage later. And if Santiago found out later, he’d hate us for keeping it from him.”
Harry sighed in defeat. All he could do was stay by Santiago’s side.
Santiago grabbed his phone and called Russell. Ring… ring… ring. No answer. Then he remembered—it was Christmas. The family must be at the estate, celebrating together. It was the Jensons’ tradition. They hadn’t always celebrated Christmas. It only started after Kyla came into their lives. Young Kyla had loved snowy Christmas nights, Santa Claus, reindeer, and stockings full of gifts. The family decorated and celebrated, just to make one of her childhood dreams come true. Over the years, it became a tradition. Even if family members were scattered, whoever stayed home would host a party, and the family group chat would stay active with messages and blessings.
After a while, Santiago lowered his phone.
Harry asked softly, “Santiago… you’re not calling?”
“It’s Christmas. The family is celebrating. I won’t bother them now.” Even with countless questions, he swallowed them for his family.
At that moment, the results of the third group were announced. The top three were set. First place was Tilda. She had set a new world record—five minutes and twenty seconds. Second place was Amanda, and third place was Lance Cross. The winners’ names were called to accept their awards.
Silence fell over the medical tent. Santiago felt it most deeply. He had been beaten by his own sister and nearly died in a crash. This was a stain on his career that he’d never be able to erase.
He noticed Amanda hesitating, to avoid hurting his feelings. He pressed his lips together. “Amanda, go accept your award.”
“But you-”
“Enough. Do I look fragile? It’s just a crash. I won’t let it break me. I’ll face my fears and move on. Our rivalry can wait. As for Tilda’s record? Forget it. I don’t stand a chance against that.”
Santiago shrugged. Amanda didn’t argue. She just nodded silently.
On the podium, Tilda, the world-record breaker and first-place winner, stood in the spotlight. Confetti flew, cameras flashed, while phones and camcorders aimed at her. It felt as if everyone was watching a new star rise in racing.
Suddenly, someone recognized Tilda.