Chapter 144
Chapter 144:
By the time Brinley and Austin returned to Hillcrest Villa, the clock had already crept toward ten.
The butler spotted them at once and stepped forward with practiced deference. “Mr. Moore, Mrs. Moore, dinner has been prepared. Shall I warm it up for you now p>
Austin shook his head lightly. “No need. We already ate out p>
“Very well,” the butler murmured, bowing slightly before retreating down the hall.
Inside the quiet living room, Brinley started toward the stairs, but Austin’s voice stopped her. “Hold on a second p>
She glanced back. “Is there something else p>
Closing the distance between them, Austin drew a small velvet box from his pocket and offered it to her. “This is for you p>
Brinley accepted it, curiosity flickering in her eyes. When she lifted the lid, a delicate brooch gleamed inside—shaped like a rose, its clean, elegant lines catching the light with understated beauty.
“This is…” Her voice trailed off, caught between surprise and wonder.
Austin’s smile softened. “Think of it as a good-luck charm for your exhibition race. I hope you crush it out there p>
𝘔𝗼𝗋𝖾 𝗇о𝘃el𝗌 𝗈𝗻 𝘨𝘢𝗅𝗇𝘰𝘷еlѕ.𝗰o𝘮
A swell of emotion rose in Brinley as she cradled the brooch in her palm.
She lifted her gaze to him, her voice low. “What is it that you really want to know p>
His eyes lingered on her, layered with unreadable depth. “I just want to get to know the real you p>
Her chest tightened, her pulse stumbling.
She parted her lips, but the words refused to come.
Rather than pressing her, Austin’s mouth curved into a quiet smile. “Get some rest p>
As his footsteps faded, Brinley curled her fingers tightly around the rose-shaped brooch.
Its weight pressed into her palm, a reminder that his suspicions were sharpening—and she would have to tread even more carefully.
As the countdown entered its final week before the exhibition race, Brinley spent nearly every day at the racetrack on the city’s edge.
To keep up her “novice” facade, she stuck to the white car and deliberately kept her cornering speeds steady and tame.
Yet the more she held herself back, the harder it became to bury the wild streak that belonged to Rosara. Every glance at the glowing numbers on the timing board tugged at her hands, whispering for her to push harder, faster.
Later that afternoon, as she zipped up her racing suit, Jensen strode over. “Rosara, Fenton’s tied up with some family matters today and can’t make it. I’ve arranged for Bowman to step in. He’s been around nearly ten years—knows this place better than anyone p>
Brinley followed Jensen’s line of sight to a man in the corner. The middle-aged mechanic, clad in a gray work uniform, was polishing a wrench with deliberate strokes.
At the sound of his name, he lifted his head and offered a courteous smile. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Moore. I’m Bowman Alvarez. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you’re in good hands p>
A ripple of unease ran through Brinley.
Something about Bowman didn’t sit right. The glint in his eyes clashed with the easy facade of a veteran trackhand.
Still, Jensen was trustworthy, and she forced down her misgivings with a curt nod. “Thanks p>