Chapter 4 Winning the Championship
Cecilia nodded politely at Felix, her tone sincere. "Thank you, Mr. Knightley. I owe you one."
Felix's lips curved up almost imperceptibly. "This car performs well. Give it a try."
Then Cecilia's gaze shifted away from Felix and finally landed on the sleek, powerful-looking silver racing car beside him.
She didn't spare Miles another glance, as if he and the group around him were nothing but trash.
Bang—the car door shut, blocking out the noise from outside.
Miles watched helplessly as Cecilia got into that car, with Felix standing right beside it, and felt inexplicably irritated.
"How does she know Mr. Knightley?" Thea gripped Miles's arm tightly, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
Miles's face darkened. He said nothing.
How could the woman who didn't even dare speak loudly in front of him suddenly transform and catch Felix Knightley's attention?
Jason and his friends didn't even dare breathe loudly, shrinking to the side without the courage to even look at Felix.
Noelle lifted her chin proudly, rolled her eyes in Miles's direction, and let out a scornful snort.
On the track, Cecilia put on her helmet and gripped the steering wheel.
She took a deep breath, pressed the gas pedal, and the roar of the engine brought back that old feeling—she had regained her freedom.
This was her.
This was the real Cecilia Laurent.
The starting gun fired, and a dozen racing cars launched simultaneously.
Cecilia held steady in second place, staying close behind the red Ferrari ahead, maintaining a perfect following distance, patiently waiting for a chance to overtake.
Her peripheral vision swept across the rearview mirror. Felix's silver supercar followed behind at a steady pace, showing no sign of rushing to pass.
Just as she was about to adjust her rhythm, an accident happened.
The leading Ferrari suddenly lost control entering a turn, its rear end swinging violently before crashing sideways into the barrier, instantly blocking the track.
Flying debris hit Cecilia's windshield with crackling sounds.
The track was narrow, visibility blocked by thick smoke and dust, with no room to go around.
In the stands, Miles instinctively clenched his fists, his heart suddenly tightening. He leaned forward, his eyes locked on that silver sports car.
"Oh my God, please don't let anything happen..." Thea sat beside him, full of worry.
But deep in her eyes lurked a barely detectable excitement, wishing Cecilia's car would flip right off the track.
"Can she handle it?" Jason couldn't help muttering quietly. "What if she's just showing off and wrecks Mr. Knightley's car?"
Miles said nothing, but his frown deepened.
In his limited understanding, Cecilia only knew how to cook, arrange flowers, and manage household chores. She rarely even drove over the speed limit.
He had never seen this side of Cecilia—focused, decisive, brave...
In the car behind, Felix's hand gripping the steering wheel showed bulging veins.
He leaned forward, brow furrowed.
A few seconds later, he released his clenched jaw, certainty rising in his eyes.
He firmly believed this woman had the skills to handle the current crisis.
Cecilia jerked the steering wheel hard, the car's center of gravity shifting as her foot slammed the brake to control the slide.
The car didn't lock up or veer off track—it skimmed past the edge of the wrecked red car with inches to spare.
The tires screeched against the pavement.
She showed no fear. Seizing the gap, she floored the gas pedal, and the car burst through the dust cloud, taking the lead position.
Through that final sharp turn.
Cecilia's car crossed the finish line first!
Felix followed close behind, taking second place.
The crowd in the stands erupted in cheers.
Miles let out a long breath, then felt utterly shocked and incredulous.
In his view, Cecilia pushed open the car door and stepped out, removing her helmet and casually shaking out her long hair.
Radiant, bold, wild—these words perfectly described Cecilia right now.
There was no way to connect her with that dull, boring Mrs. Sterling from before.
Miles's hands clenched tight, his eyes glued to Cecilia.
He never imagined Cecilia had this side to her!
Thea's fake smile couldn't hold up either.
Her face turned ashen, teeth biting her lower lip, staring at the woman on the podium with jealousy and resentment.
Felix pushed open his car door and walked forward, watching Cecilia on the platform, his deep eyes full of undisguised amusement and congratulations.
Standing at the edge, Noelle immediately narrowed her eyes, sensing someone staring at Cecilia, and protectively positioned herself in front of her.
Thea's expression grew worse and worse. She kept whispering in Miles's ear, but Miles seemed not to hear at all.
He suddenly remembered what his grandmother had said—"You have no idea what you've lost."
Could this be what he had lost?
A Cecilia he had never truly known?
On the podium, Felix took the microphone from a staff member and publicly announced Cecilia as the champion, awarding her a huge cash prize.
...
Afterward, Felix, as the host, set up a lavish banquet in the top-floor VIP lounge, open to all racers and spectators.
The banquet hall was lively.
Noelle held a champagne glass, glancing with disgust toward the distance.
Not far away, Miles was carefully cutting steak for Thea.
"That scumbag never did even small things like pouring water for you before," Noelle said coldly.
Cecilia swirled her wine glass, not bothering to acknowledge that pair of cheaters.
Just then, a well-dressed man approached.
"Two beautiful ladies, I'm Roman, the bartender here." He wore an enthusiastic smile. "Please allow me to present specially crafted cocktails for the champion and her friend."
"A bartender dressed more expensively than the guests?" Noelle muttered quietly.
Roman winked with a smile. "Status doesn't matter—good taste does."
The three chatted happily, Roman's wit and humor drawing constant laughter from the two women.
Cecilia laughed brightly and boldly. Under the influence of alcohol, her usually cool eyes took on a hazy quality, her cheeks flushed, and she radiated a fatal attraction.
