The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 25

After all, accepting a loss was an unspoken rule in the scene, especially on such a public occasion. Plus, Max was up against the Mitchell family.

“Smash the cars.” Max practically squeezed the words out from between his teeth.

He spun around to the lackeys behind him, who looked just as deflated, and roared, “What are you standing around for? Bring the cars over.”

The guys made reluctant faces as they went to get their cars. They all felt miserable. They had poured a ton of money into modding these rides, treating them like treasures.

Soon, four flashy sports cars sat lined up in the clearing. Max’s black GTR led the pack, followed by a neon green Lamborghini, a bright orange Ferrari, and a sapphire blue Porsche.

Someone had found a few heavy sledgehammers from a construction site, glinting in the light.

Ryan rubbed his hands together eagerly and stepped up to grab one of the hammers, testing its weight. “Damn. This has some heft to it. Max, are you doing the honors yourself, or should I help?”

Max glared at Ryan, snatched the hammer out of his hand, and nearly staggered under its weight.

Then Max walked up to his GTR, the car that had been his partner through every race on Blackridge Mountain, the one he’d poured his heart into modding. His eyes were red.

The crowd around them had gone completely quiet. The only sound was the wind.

Max took a deep breath, as if summoning every ounce of strength he had. He raised the sledgehammer and brought it down on the GTR’s windshield.

The crack of impact echoed through the night. The shatterproof glass instantly webbed with cracks. Then he swung again and again and smashed the hood, the doors, the windows, and the headlights.

Expensive carbon fiber parts and flawless paintwork buckled and splintered under the hammer’s brutal force. The screech of twisting metal and shattering glass sent a chill down the spectators‘ spines.

The three lackeys watched Max’s ruthless display, then looked at their own beloved cars. Their legs went weak. But they didn’t dare refuse. Offending the Mitchell family over this would be worse.

Soon, the clearing filled with the sound of crashing blows and muffled groans of agony. What had once been symbols of speed, wealth, and status were quickly reduced to heaps of scrap.

The crowd around them murmured among themselves.

“I say good riddance. Max and his crew have ripped people off all the time. They had the nerve to go after Mr. Mitchell. Serves them right.”

“Yeah. Max used to throw their weight around as the king of Blackridge Mountain, and everyone was too afraid to speak up. Now let’s see how tough he acts.”

19:52 Tue, Apr 28

Chapter 25

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“That girl is so cool. And she’s gorgeous. I’ve never seen anyone this beautiful in Harbor City. I bet even actresses aren’t as pretty as her.”

“Right. But I wonder what her deal is with Mr. Mitchell.”

“Probably just friends. They don’t look like a couple at all.”

Olivia couldn’t hold back her smile. She thought, ‘This is so intense. This is what real punishment looks like. The catfights I used to have with my so–called girlfriends are nothing compared to this. They’re as childish as playing house.”

Natalie watched the whole thing without a change in expression. It wasn’t until Max and his crew stopped, breathless, the sledgehammers hitting the ground with a loud clang, leaving nothing but scrap in front of them, that she gave a small nod.

“That’s enough,” she said flatly.

Max shot Natalie a look, then pulled the keys to his Venom from his pocket and tossed them over to her. “Here.”

Natalie caught it, turned sharply to leave.

But then Max called out, “Hey. Wait.”

Natalie stopped and glanced back, waiting for him to speak.

“At least let me know who I’m losing to,” Max said. He truly knew he was wrong now.

He thought, ‘I’ve never seen this chick before, but she’s definitely not ordinary. I gotta know who she is. If I can’t beat her, I can still avoid her.‘

“Natalie Moore.” Natalie only gave her name. Her voice wasn’t loud, but everyone heard it.

The crowd started buzzing when they heard the name.

“I’ve never heard of any big–shot Moore family in Harbor City.”

“Me neither.”

Natalie drove back. Ryan spent the whole ride exclaiming in amazement.

“I really didn’t see this coming,” he said with a laugh. “Natalie, you’re secretly some kind of racing prodigy. Your skills and presence are insane.

19:53 Tue, Apr 28

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