Chapter 221
Before Secretary Burnett could finish, Carmel cut him off. “I can’t stand Vaughn Enterprises. None of my companies will ever work with them, not now, not ever!”
Secretary Burnett looked puzzled. “Is there some misunderstanding between you and Vaughn Enterprises?”
His gaze drifted to Selene, and a sudden realization dawned. He turned back to Carmel. “Did Miss Thompson say something to you? Something negative about us?”
“Mr. Howard, please don’t get the wrong idea. Miss Thompson doesn’t really know Vaughn Enterprises, and… her relationship with my boss is, frankly, hostile.”
He tried to regain his composure. “Mr. Vaughn has always hoped to hire you as Miss Felicity’s racing coach-he’s willing to pay handsomely. Please, at least consider it…”
“Not interested.” Carmel’s eyes narrowed, wary as she fixed her gaze on Secretary Burnett. She shifted closer to Selene, resting her chin on Selene’s shoulder. “I only work for Luna. No one else.”
“Carmel, why turn down such easy money?” A middle-aged man approached, his tone half-joking. This was Vincent, one of the engineers from Luna Racing Club.
Carmel’s expression darkened. “Harrison wants you all to back an amateur driver in a world-class race. Doesn’t that embarrass you?”
Vincent just shrugged. “It’s only an exhibition race, Carmel. No one’s taking it that seriously.”
Piecing things together from their conversation, Selene finally spoke up. “So Felicity’s entering an international race?”
Secretary Burnett’s chest puffed out with pride as he turned to her. “Vaughn Enterprises is one of the sponsors for the International Grand
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Prix-Capital City leg. Miss Felicity will be racing in the exhibition.”
He continued bragging. “To help her achieve a great result, Mr. Vaughn recruited several top engineers and mechanics from Luna Racing Club.”
He flashed a smug grin. “Maybe you didn’t know this, Miss Thompson: Mr. Howard is your friend, right? He used to co-drive for Luna, the best female racer Aldonia’s ever seen. He’s truly exceptional. Mr. Vaughn wants to offer him a generous contract-please, don’t stand in his way.”
Selene rolled her eyes. “You know, just because you stick a feather in a pig’s snout doesn’t make it an elephant.”
Secretary Burnett’s triumphant smile froze, the insult hanging in the air.
Carmel turned to Vincent, her voice sharp. “An amateur taking up a spot in the exhibition means a real professional loses their chance. The entire racing community is fed up with Vaughn Enterprises’ CEO for propping up a rookie. You’re all becoming a joke-and a disgrace!”
Vincent replied firmly, “But if we help Felicity make it into the top three, the whole industry will finally see our true skills! Carmel, for five years, Luna’s shadow has loomed over us. Luna’s been retired for five years, and the Luna Racing Club has been dissolved just as long. Yet, our peers and sponsors still call us ‘Luna’s team.’ We’re always seen as her
sidekicks.”
He squared his shoulders. “I want to prove once and for all-it was us, this team of elite engineers and mechanics, who made Luna Aldonia’s number one female driver!”
Adrian stood nearby, his cool blue eyes glittering with contempt.
Carmel’s breath caught in her throat. She was never good at arguments, but Vincent’s words left her flushed with anger.
She was about to retort when Selene quietly took her hand. Selene’s warmth seeped into Carmel’s palm, calming her racing thoughts.
Selene turned to Vincent and Secretary Burnett. “On the day of the opening ceremony, Luna herself will be racing in the exhibition. I’m sure
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she’s looking forward to meeting you all on the track.”
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