Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 441

Rory had somehow pulled together a team made up entirely of A-level drivers, while almost everyone on Chris' side was B-level. The gap in skill was obvious. How were they supposed to win like this?

Earlier, they’d tried a one-on-one race. Weston, one of Rory’s guys, jumped in... and immediately lost. That’s what sparked all the drama.

Rory could see Chris hesitating, so he grinned and said, “If you don’t want to race, that’s fine. All you have to do is shout ‘we’re losers’ three times and we’ll call it a day.”

Lydia just shot him a look that could freeze lava. Rory clammed up instantly.

There’s a saying about picking yourself up where you fell. If they wanted to get back at the Team Country D, they had to win. No other way around it.

“You all, over here,” Lydia called to Chris and his five teammates.

Chris wasted no time getting everyone together.

Lydia went down the line, asking about their strengths, what awards they’d won, and what kind of racing they’d done before. Then she started breaking down a plan for each of them, customizing their roles for the race ahead.

Chris could barely believe it. His sister-in-law knew all this? She sounded more experienced than some of the pro coaches he’d met overseas.

Lydia didn’t get bogged down in the details. She picked out the most important points, just enough to make sure everyone had a shot at winning.

Rory was huddled with his own team, laying out their game plan.

“They’re all B-level, so there’s no way they can beat us,” Rory told his crew. “But Chris' brother is here. That means we do this by the book. Show what you’ve got. No sneaky tricks, okay?”

The team was still shaken by Connor’s earlier show of force, not to mention Aiden lurking nearby with a gun. No one wanted to mess around after that.

Archie, still nursing a bruised and swollen face, whispered, “But, what if… just saying… what if we win and they still don’t let us go?”

Rory scoffed. “If we win fair and square, they won’t dare touch us.”

Another teammate nodded. “Yeah, come on. This is France. They can’t do anything.”

Even though it was night, the track at Rush Bay was lit up bright as day. Rows of lights lined the course, shining like strings of pearls, cutting through the dark.

On the starting line, both teams’ cars waited, engines rumbling like wild animals ready to pounce. The noise sounded like battle drums, setting the stage for a race full of adrenaline.

The signal light went from red to green, and in a split second, ten cars launched forward. Tires screeched, rubber burned, smoke billowed behind them.

Chris took the lead right away, his car slicing through the first turn with a perfect curve. His hands were steady on the wheel, every maneuver precise, every risk calculated. It was pure skill and guts on display. The other cars chased hard, always looking for a chance to pass.

For a heartbeat, two cars went side by side. The tension was so thick you could feel it in your chest.

Rory was all focus now, eyes locked on the road, searching for any opening to get ahead.

“Shit!” Rory snapped as he got left behind again. Another failed attempt to pass. It made sense that Chris was leading, but how were those rookies on Chris' team also ahead of him? And why couldn’t he get around them?

A glance in his mirror told him what he didn’t want to see. All his prized A-level teammates were stuck behind him too.