Love on the Fast Track

Chapter 15:

In the Mountain Racing tradition, winners could impose a condition on the losers. Historically, this often meant that the losers had to reveal their identity by removing their masks.

During a race two years ago, Norah won and chose not to reveal Nocturne’s mask, deciding instead to have another match with him some other time. Instead, she picked someone at random and revealed their identity.

After today’s race loss, Norah felt she had to reveal her own identity and quit Krusa Mountain Racing.

This standoff left the spectators buzzing with curiosity. “Is Nocturne asking Selene to show who she is? What’s causing the delay?”

“Maybe Nocturne is being kind and doesn’t want Selene to remove her mask?”

“This mask reveal is a tradition. With Mr. Scott watching, wouldn’t skipping it upset him?”

“Perhaps Nocturne wants someone else to remove their mask.”

“Selene wasn’t the only loser, after all.”

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The crowd was abuzz with their theories. Kathy couldn’t hide her disappointment and said, “Didn’t Selene win? I was hoping she’d be the one to uncover Nocturne!”

Madeline tried to offer some solace. “Selene’s just a girl, and it’s normal for girls to make mistakes in something like this. Aren’t you glad the racer you were cheering for won?”

Derek scrutinized the racer known as Selene, sensing something familiar about her.

Then, Madeline’s hands encircled Derek’s arm, pulling his attention away. “Derek, can we seek out Nocturne after this? Kathy admires him.”

Derek masked his brewing thoughts with a nod and said, “Of course.”

Derek accepted a glass of water from a passing waiter, took a drink, and added, “After the official race events wrap up, I’ll escort you backstage.”

Madeline asked, “Derek, who is this Mr. Sean Scott? Why haven’t I heard of him before?”

Kathy eagerly answered, “Mr. Sean Scott is a member of the Scott family, having only taken an active role a few years ago. He made his mark through sheer determination. He is quite a formidable person.”

Sean’s reputation was well-known throughout Glophia. Derek was quiet, his attention drifting back to the racecourse. As he mentally prepared to head backstage, something caught his eye, leaving him stunned.

Norah, with a defiant grin, declared, and in a swift motion, she removed her mask, unveiling her striking features to all. “I don’t like being threatened, so I can’t accept your terms.”

Now unmasked, Norah radiated a fierce beauty. She carried herself with confidence and pride, her gaze sharp and determined.

It was Norah who had been among the spectators moments before. Cradling her helmet, Norah faced Nocturne and complimented him, “You’re an exceptional racer.”

“When will we have the chance to compete again?” she asked, her head tilted with an earnest look.

Nocturne, observing her earnest demeanor, smiled and said, “Sure.” He gestured dismissively and added, “Norah, it was a pleasure. We’ll cross paths again.”

Ignoring Norah’s look of surprise, he departed in his sleek black vehicle.

Norah pondered over Nocturne’s enigmatic departure. His quick exit after she unmasked herself puzzled her, leaving her to muse over the odd encounter. She felt he was a strange person.

After the encounter, Norah returned her helmet to its place and headed backstage to change. Emerging from the dressing area, she was met by an upset Joanna.

“Norah, did Nocturne cheat? How did he manage to surpass you? Did you intentionally lose?”

Norah helplessly replied, “I bet on myself to win. There’s no reason I’d let him win. I can’t tell if he cheated.”

Joanna was baffled. “With your talent, beating Nocturne should have been easy, right? I still remember your race from two years ago. Your drifting skills were—”

Norah cast her eyes downward.

Two years ago, she was full of confidence and able to conquer anything. She clenched her fists, her voice determined as she uttered, “How can I be the same person I was two years ago? I’ve been out of touch with racing for too long. I’ve already told you I’m not as sharp as I used to be.”

Joanna’s frustration flared at the mention of the past. “This is all Derek’s fault! His obsession with his past love led him to ruin…”

She stopped before she could continue scolding Derek, who had just appeared.

Seeing Norah radiant, Kathy said with envy, “Didn’t I see this side of you when you were with the Carter family? Did you pick up some new tricks after the divorce, trying to lure him in? Did Nocturne leave so hastily because he wasn’t impressed by you?”noveldrama

Joanna, seething, snapped, “Can you think before you speak? If you’ve lost your senses, maybe a hospital visit is in order. Don’t bark like a crazy dog!”

“Did I have you there?” Kathy taunted.

Fuming at Joanna’s words, Kathy was ready to escalate the confrontation with a physical attack, but was held back by Madeline.

Derek, observing Norah’s transformed demeanor, asked with a frosty tone, “Since when did you get into racing? And how did you climb to the top as Selene, the leading racer?”

Norah responded with dismissive coolness, “Does it concern you, Derek Carter?” Her tone was ice-cold. “It seems I owe you no explanations about my life.”

Norah’s detached response made Derek’s expression harden. He retorted, equally cold, “Remember, the divorce isn’t final yet. You’re technically still a Carter.”

Norah scoffed. “Ah? So you still remember our unfinished divorce procedures? I was under the impression you’d forgotten. Are you waiting for me to plead for a divorce?” Her stare was sharp as she added, “Especially since you were pushing for those divorce papers a few days ago.”

Before Derek could respond, Kathy interjected, “Perhaps you’ve already found other men elsewhere, and that’s why you’re in such a hurry to leave the Carter family. Huh? You’re just a whore!”

Norah’s expression turned frosty, and she slapped Kathy without hesitation. “You uncultured thing!”

Kathy, with her face covered, hadn’t reacted when Joanna landed another slap on her. Kathy’s cheeks now bore symmetrical red marks from the double blow.

“It appears I need to educate you in place of your parents,” Norah remarked coldly.

Madeline rushed to Kathy, asking with concern, “Kathy, are you alright?”

Kathy, tears streaming down her face, cried out, “Derek, that bitch hit me!”

Madeline turned to Norah and Joanna, pleading, “Norah, Miss Andrews, Kathy’s just blunt. Was there really a need to react so? She’s just a kid. Kids say whatever comes to mind, holding nothing back. Why did you feel the need to hit her?”

Norah couldn’t help but find Madeline’s words somewhat amusing, retorting, “She’s in her twenties, and you’re calling her a kid?”

Joanna sneered. “You might see her as a kid, but we sure don’t. Don’t interfere. Better yet, just leave.”

Madeline replied with an innocent face, “Miss Andrews, do you have any misunderstandings about me and Derek? He initiated the divorce due to a lack of affection toward Norah. It could have been resolved smoothly, yet Norah continued to bother Derek… Besides, Derek was completely unaware of Norah’s identity as the racer Selene.”

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