Chapter 184
Chapter 184:
Hardly a day had passed since the exhibition race when Austin hosted a lavish banquet in Brinley’s honor at Bleron’s most opulent hotel.
Crystal chandeliers cast dazzling prisms across the vast hall, bright as midday sun.
At Austin’s side, Brinley shone in a tailored silver gown, the sleek fabric tracing her figure with effortless grace.
By the entrance, a large framed photograph captured her crossing the finish line, frozen in triumph.
Guests slowed their steps, drawn in by the striking display, their expressions shifting between awe, curiosity, and a trace of disbelief.
Who could have guessed that Austin’s wife would turn out to be a dark horse—exploding onto the racing scene out of nowhere?
Across the room, tycoons lifted their glasses to Austin, smiles on their lips even as their eyes kept drifting to Brinley.
An elderly gentleman with silver hair remarked, “Mr. Moore, your wife is not only radiant in presence—her skill behind the wheel is absolutely extraordinary p>
𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻
Austin inclined his head, his arm tightening around Brinley’s waist as he drew her closer. “Thank you for your kind words. She loves it, so I let her enjoy herself,” he said lightly.
His gaze never left her, brimming with unrestrained pride, as if declaring to the entire room that his wife was born to shine this way.
Meanwhile, a cluster of veteran racers who had once mocked her stood off to the side, their faces taut with embarrassment. One of them, clutching his wine glass, gathered the nerve to approach—but the moment he met Austin’s steady, unblinking stare, calm yet weighted with authority, he faltered.
The pressure of it made him hesitate, then back away awkwardly, retreating into the crowd to nurse his drink, unwilling to risk another step closer.
At the same time, Brinley carried on a lively exchange with a seasoned driver who compared her style to Rosara’s and asked whether she had ever trained professionally.
She was just parting her lips to reply when her handbag vibrated softly against her hip, her phone buzzing insistently inside. Glancing at the screen, she saw Felix’s name.
She murmured an excuse to the driver beside her and slipped away to the terrace, where the banquet’s noise dimmed to a hush.
“Brinley! You were unbelievable!” Felix’s voice burst through the line, practically vibrating with excitement. “I just watched the replay—your drift, your cornering—it was insane! Since when did you get that good? How did I not know p>
Brinley leaned against the railing, a faint smile tugging at her lips at his enthusiasm. “Nothing serious. I just got lucky,” she said lightly.
“Lucky? Don’t fool me. Even my coach is hounding me about you!” Felix shot back, his tone edged with disbelief and mock complaint. “Brinley, you hid this from me so well! I bragged to my teammates that you’re my sister, and they laughed in my face—said I was making it up p>
Then he added, anticipation thick in his voice, “By the way, I’ll be back next month after my race. Promise me you’ll give me some drifting lessons! Oh, and check your account—I just transferred some money to you. Pick up the sharpest car and equipment out there. When I get back, we’re racing for real p>
A laugh slipped from Brinley, warm and unrestrained. “Alright. Come home, and I’ll take you on p>
She had barely hung up when her phone lit up with a familiar number.
A quiet laugh escaped her as she answered. “Hi, Dad p>
Brandon’s voice carried both relief and worry. “The headlines popped up a moment ago—did you really win the race p>
“I did,” she admitted softly, her tone gentler as she rested against the railing. “First place p>
“That’s wonderful.” As if choosing his words carefully, Brandon let the silence stretch for a beat. “If you get a break in the coming days, come spend it here at home. I already asked your brother to clear his schedule so we can have a proper family dinner p>
A gentle warmth spread through Brinley’s chest. She smiled, her voice light. “Alright. Once things settle here, I’ll come home p>
“Don’t push yourself too hard,” Brandon said with quiet concern. “And bring Austin with you p>
“He’s been caught up in a lot these days, but I’ll bring it up to him,” Brinley answered softly, unwilling to speak for Austin when his schedule was already packed.
Once the call ended, she lingered at the railing, her gaze drifting over the glittering night skyline as her thoughts wandered.
“Mrs. Moore!” a voice called out behind her.
Corbin hurried over with a folder clutched in both hands, his expression bright with excitement. “Some partners just sent congratulatory letters, along with several new cooperation proposals. Would you like to look them over now p>
The moment the folder touched her hands, Brinley opened it.
On top lay a letter, warm in tone as it congratulated her on her victory. Beneath it were proposals from three major real estate groups—companies that had once hesitated, but were now stepping forward.
One document even outlined a preliminary plan for a racetrack, with a note scribbled at the bottom: “Mrs. Moore can refine this proposal as she sees fit p>
As Brinley let her hand glide over the project titles, the corners of her lips lifted in quiet amusement.
Those same companies had once brushed her off or tried to bury her under impossible terms. She had walked in and out of their offices more times than she could count, fighting for an opening that never came.
Now, because of one dazzling victory, her name had become shorthand for grit and promise. The irony of their sudden eagerness wasn’t lost on her.
“This win really did pay off,” Brinley murmured. She snapped the folder shut and handed it back to Corbin. “File everything for now. We’ll hold a meeting tomorrow morning to go through the details p>
“Understood!” Corbin replied, unrestrained excitement in his voice. Hugging the folder to his chest like contraband treasure, he hurried off.