Adrian let out a derisive snort of laughter.
“Oh, did you hear that? I think someone’s heart just shattered into pieces.”
His voice was sharp and cold, oozing arrogance. As he finished, he glanced over at Luke Holloway, expecting to see him sulking. But to Adrian’s surprise, Luke simply crossed his arms, watching the two women embrace with a look of genuine warmth flickering in those deep–set eyes of his.
Adrian stared, bewildered.
Was he really the only clown here?
So the broken heart lying on the ground–turns out, it was his all along.
He scoffed inwardly. Well, what else could you expect from Lieutenant Holloway?
The man could stare down a hurricane and not even blink.
Truth was, Luke Holloway would’ve liked nothing more than to march over and deck Carmel right then and there. But for Selene’s sake, he gritted his teeth and held
himself back.
Adrian took a deep breath, determined to follow Luke’s example. If he couldn’t handle a little competition, how could he hope to be the “mysterious third party” in
this twisted drama?
“I want kisses too, Carrie!” Daph piped up, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she watched Selene smother Carmel with affection.
Selene scooped Daph up, and the little girl planted several noisy kisses on Carmel’s
cheek.
Carmel’s eyes grew misty, her cheeks and neck flushing scarlet.
She stammered shyly, “Is… is she your daughter?”
Selene nodded. “Yes, her name’s Dafina Thompson, but you can call her Daph.”
Carmel’s expression softened as she gathered Daph into a gentle hug. Selene wrapped both of them in her arms, pulling them close.
Adrian felt like the air had been sucked from his lungs. He looked as pale as a wounded swan plummeting from the sky–striking, but ashen with distress.
“Why aren’t you doing anything?” Adrian finally blurted, unable to hold back.
19
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Chapter 21
“Doing what, exactly?” Luke asked, genuinely puzzled.
“You go over there and start a fight–I’ll handle your bail,” Adrian replied, as if he’d already mapped out Luke’s prison sentence.
Two birds, one stone. With one rash move, he could knock out two rivals at once.
Luke shot him a look of utter disdain. Sensing Adrian’s hostility toward Carmel, he warned, “Don’t ruin their reunion.”
Adrian gaped at him. “You’re just going to stand by while your own sister gets all cuddly in public?” he demanded.
Luke shrugged, unfazed. “So what? Selene and Carmel haven’t seen each other in ages.”
Adrian stared at Luke as if seeing him for the first time. “So you’re all set to be…
what? The fourth wheel in this circus?”
Luke: “What?”
What nonsense was Adrian spouting now?
Adrian shot Carmel a dark, murderous glare, as if he could will her out of existence. Under his breath, he muttered, “As long as I draw breath, the rest of you will never be more than supporting cast.”
Luke, ever perceptive, caught on immediately.
He probed, “You’ve never actually met Carmel before, have you?”
“No,” Adrian replied moodily.
If he’d known sooner just how close Selene and Carmel were, he would’ve turned that flight to Capital City around before it even landed.
Luke looked genuinely surprised. “But Carmel used to work for you. You really
never…”
Adrian cut him off. “I’m the owner. Other than my manager, no one knows the real face or age of the boss behind Luna Racing Club.”
He’d founded Luna Racing Club purely to launch Selene’s career; as for the rest of the staff, he’d left all that to the professionals.
He’d never bothered to learn who the manager hired. The only one who mattered
was Selene. Who her co–driver was, what they looked like–he simply hadn’t cared.
A trace of smug amusement flickered in Luke’s eyes.
2/3
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Chapter 218
Meanwhile, Selene, arm in arm with Carmel, was already leading the way toward
them.
3/3
