CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: NATALIE VAUGHN WILL RISK HER LIFE FOR ZANE THORNE

The autumn night rain is bone-chilling, soaking through to one’s core, making them shiver.

Jay Sterling still held a beer bottle in his hand, and he smashed it on the car of the person speaking.

"Fuck your mother!"

These people were from another racing club, competitors and always rivals to FOX. Jay’s action ignited both sides’ fury.

"What? Did I hit a nerve? If you’ve got the guts, call him out and race us."

Dean Dempsey stepped forward with a dark face.

"You guys? Not worthy."

"Oh, isn’t this the recent champion? Winning a championship really changes things, doesn’t even acknowledge us, right, guys?"

After saying this, he whistled, and the group’s laughter was exceptionally grating.

Jay’s temper flared up, unable to suppress it.

"Who the hell are you to talk about Dempsey, you haven’t even won a championship."

Saying this, he spat in the guy’s face.

The guy wiped his face.

"One championship and you brag? We’ve won several and haven’t even mentioned it."

Jay suddenly turned his head to look at the person quietly standing aside.

Aaron Channing...

He’s a rising star in the racing world over the past two years, with talent, skill, and courage. Some even compare him to being a second Zane Thorne.

Aaron wore a hat, remaining silent, with a look of contempt for his teammates. He came here just to see Zane Thorne, not to listen to these people insult him.

A few hot-headed young men, relentless in their aim, spoke with barbs, even shouting Zane Thorne’s name.

Natalie Vaughn walked down the steps, one at a time.

"What are you dogs barking about?"

With that noise earlier, she understood everything.

These people heard that Zane Thorne got back into racing and recklessly wanted to challenge him. But they were conceited, thinking he was a has-been after five years out, even maliciously speculating about his retirement.

Where did they get the face, the qualifications, to lecture Zane Thorne?

Natalie didn’t know why she was so angry; she just couldn’t stand these people’s disrespect for him because she clearly felt Zane Thorne’s effortless control over racing just now.

What’s five years without racing? He remains the god atop the mountain.

The few people faced with Natalie’s sudden intervention were stunned, the leading snarky one furrowing his brows.

"And who the hell are you?"

Then, he paused as if he realized something.

"Aren’t you the chick sitting in Zane Thorne’s co-pilot seat? What kind of man lets his woman face us for him?"

Felix Langdon’s group, who were watching, had their expressions darken completely upon hearing this.

Theodore Langdon had a fiery temper too.

"Damn it, watch your fucking mouth."

Felix didn’t stop him.

Theo stepped up, aiming a kick at the man’s crotch.

Though he hadn’t learned much karate, he remembered this kick to the groin, modified slightly. The guy reacted quickly, saving his future lineage.

Aaron, who had been silent, couldn’t stand it anymore.

"Say less."

Natalie’s face was cold and stern, her eyes were icy.

"I’ll race you."

The guy hesitated, then burst into laughter.

"You want to race me? Hahaha, that’s fucking hilarious. Can you even race? You want to race me?"

Natalie smirked.

"I can’t."

"If you can’t, what the hell are you racing me for?"

Theo was puzzled, looking at Natalie in confusion.

"Sis?"

Natalie raised her hand and pointed somewhere.

"See that wall? Drive from here to there, let’s see who stops closest and fastest."

Natalie didn’t know those techniques, but she could step on the gas and brake. She had heard Phoebe Quinn mention this kind of play before; it wasn’t about skill, but about heartbeat, courage, life.

And she never lacked courage.

The guy was stunned, not expecting Natalie to propose such a lunatic’s challenge.

Theo was dumbfounded, Felix frowned, Phoebe’s heartbeat was in her throat, Aaron didn’t look good, but no one stopped Natalie.

Except, Felix turned to look at the hallway; the man smoking was no longer there.

The guy was still considering it.

This stretch of road only had one streetlight, and it was raining, making visibility poor; this wasn’t a simple game, it could cost lives.

"Race or not? Or are you scared?"

Natalie lifted her chin, provoking him.

She knew people like that couldn’t stand being goaded.

"Race, how about we raise the stakes a bit?"

"If you lose..."

A broad hand landed on her shoulder, and Natalie stopped. She looked up at Zane Thorne, who had approached without her noticing, his scent of smoke strong and heavy.

The man glanced at her.

"Don’t mess around."

Seeing Zane Thorne, Aaron Channing straightened from leaning against the car door.

Natalie took his hand off her shoulder.

"I’m not messing around."

Her fingers lightly traced his palm, raising her eyes to look at him meaningfully.

"I know what I’m doing."

Zane Thorne frowned.

Know what she was doing? What understanding could she have? With her half-baked driving skills, wasn’t she gambling with her life?

"Natalie."

The man’s face darkened, his voice cold as the rain.

But before he could speak, Natalie interrupted him.

"Do you trust me?"

Zane Thorne looked deeply at her, seriousness in his eyes; she wasn’t joking, and it almost seemed like she believed she could win.

But how could he trust that? How could he dare to? It was Natalie’s life at stake.

Initially, it had nothing to do with her; she was just standing up for him.

The boiling anger inside him was hard to suppress; Zane Thorne’s chest heaved as he took deep breaths to reign in his emotion, not wanting to be harsh with her.

But he couldn’t let Natalie do something so reckless.

"I told you not to meddle, didn’t you understand?"

Zane Thorne’s voice suddenly rose, anger barely concealed, eyes cold as ice.

Natalie was startled, frozen on the spot.

The man grabbed her wrists, pulling her behind him, a hint of red still in his eyes. His tall stature naturally exuded a sense of disdain.

"Let’s change the game; I’ll play with you."

The guy was intimidated by Zane Thorne’s cold gaze, instinctively stepping back to a safer distance, awkwardly, yet trying to appear steady, running a hand through his hair.

"Play what?"

"Head-on collision, whoever swerves first loses."

The guy was completely dumbfounded.

Madman, this man is the real madman. How could these two be more daring, more insane with each step?

Zane Thorne’s buzzed hair accentuated his stern brow as he looked down at the person before him, emotions stirred by Natalie mostly bottled up, speaking as if nothing unusual.

Casual as the night’s erratic rain.

Betting with Natalie’s life was out of the question; gambling with his own came easily.