Chapter 139
Chapter 139:
Brinley was still at the project site, double-checking the accuracy of the track markings, completely unaware of the storm brewing across the internet. Her phone, left on top of a toolbox, kept lighting up and dimming, buzzing with notifications she ignored.
It wasn’t until Corbin rushed over and urged her to return to the office that she finally saw the flood of messages and the swirl of rumors spreading online. She had never intended to race under her real name, but somehow the information had leaked and was now going viral.
Back at the company, the senior staff had already gathered in the conference room. They sat around the long table, tension etched across their faces. In front of each person were printed reports with bold, sensational headlines.
“Rising Real Estate Star Dabbles in Racing—Industry Questions Professionalism”
“Brinley Moore Using Project for Publicity? Housing and Urban Development Department Launches Review”
“Brinley, so it’s true? You really are entering the race? Or is this just a rumor?” Jerome Byrd, one of the most experienced team members, finally broke the silence. His face was lined with worry and disapproval.
𝗟a𝗍𝖾𝘀𝘵 𝗰hа𝗽𝗍е𝘳𝘀 𝘰ո
Brinley paused, then nodded slowly. “Yes. At this point, there’s no sense denying it p>
Jerome sucked in a sharp breath. “In the real estate industry, reputation and stability are everything! Why would you invite this chaos? If you lose, people will gossip—and they’ll even question your professional credibility p>
“I’m not doing this for publicity,” Brinley said, lifting her gaze to meet his. “Jerome, you’ve worked with me for years. You know I don’t make reckless decisions p>
“Not reckless? Then what is this?” Jerome’s voice rose. “To prove you can race? Is that really worth it? You’ve poured endless nights and all your energy into this project. Why gamble with it now p>
“It’s exactly because we’re at a crucial stage that I have to race,” Brinley shot back. She picked up one of the reports and tapped a line on the page. “Look at this. They’re saying I don’t even know flag signals or track rules. Letting these lies stand unchallenged would hurt the project more than anything else p>
Corbin added cautiously, “But if the government freezes the approval process, the financial damage would be huge p>
“Approvals depend on compliance and quality, not on whether I can drive a car,” Brinley said as she rose and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window. “I’ll make it clear to Elisha that racing is a personal interest, unrelated to the project’s professionalism. But giving up is not an option. Some doubts can only be silenced on the track p>
“Brinley!” Jerome stood as well, slamming a hand on the table. “Your hobby cannot outweigh the future of this company. Don’t you see? Our competitors are waiting for you to slip. You’re giving them ammunition p>
His voice faltered, but then he added, “Racing isn’t something you master overnight. If you perform poorly, the damage to our credibility will be even worse. It would be smarter to clarify things now and minimize the fallout p>
The conference room fell quiet, the only sound Jerome’s heavy breathing.
Corbin opened his mouth as if to speak, but fell silent again.
The legal advisor pushed up his glasses, breaking the silence in a measured voice. “From a legal standpoint, Brinley’s personal involvement in racing won’t impact approval. But from a public relations angle, the risks are real and shouldn’t be dismissed p>
Brinley turned back, her gaze sweeping over every face at the table. “I understand your concerns. But trust me—I’ll deliver results you’ll be satisfied with p>
She grabbed her car keys and strode toward the door.
Before leaving, she added, “Have PR prepare a feature on racer training routines—their schedules, their intensity. Push it to our media partners tomorrow p>
Seeing the worried faces around the table, she softened her tone with a reassuring smile. “Don’t be afraid. Leave this to me. The exhibition race is just around the corner. The harsher the criticism now, the stronger the comeback will be p>
With that, Brinley walked out.
Corbin watched her retreating figure and sighed. “Honestly… Brinley has a point. Our whole project is built around the spirit of racing. If even the leader won’t face challenges head-on, wouldn’t that make the message hollow p>
Jerome sank back into his chair, his chest rising and falling with emotion. His voice was quieter now. “It’s not that I don’t want her to race. I just don’t want her to get hurt. And the project could suffer significant negative consequences as a result. She’s the one who’s given the most to this—working day and night, pushing herself harder than anyone. I’ve seen it all p>
The legal advisor leaned forward, adjusting his glasses. “Then let’s support her strategically. I’ll draft a statement stressing that her racing is entirely personal and unrelated to the project. Corbin, line up some positive coverage—highlight the eco-friendly materials we’re using and showcase the professionalism of our work. Shift the focus back where it belongs p>
“I’ll handle it right away,” Corbin said with a nod.
Jerome sighed and picked up the blueprints spread across the table.
The design of the track—its smooth curves and sharp angles—carried Brinley’s imprint in every detail. Every line spoke of her persistence, her passion. Maybe he had been too cautious. Maybe Brinley really could prove herself.
By then, Brinley had already left the company.
Instead of heading straight to the racetrack, she drove to the Housing and Urban Development Department.
She brought a file folder with her, filled with her strongest arguments against doubt: the latest environmental assessment reports and updated progress schedules.
When she walked out of the building, the sky was washed red by the setting sun.
Elisha’s attitude had been less severe than she’d expected. Perhaps the solid evidence had swayed him. In the end, he simply said, “Be careful with your personal choices. Don’t let them create problems for the project p>