Chapter 168
Chapter 168:
Brinley leaned back casually, her voice light. “By the way, I heard Nightblade’s showing up for the exhibition race p>
Austin’s grip on the wheel faltered just slightly before he answered with practiced ease. “That’s what people are saying p>
“Wow, this is huge!” she remarked, her feigned amazement carrying just the right edge of curiosity. “In his prime, he was a force to reckon with. Too bad he vanished without warning. What do you think brings him back at this point p>
His eyes cut toward her, sharp and searching. “You sound a little too intrigued p>
“Well, he is a legend, after all.” She turned her head to avoid his gaze, looking out the window. “And honestly, your knowledge of racing has always felt… more than casual. Do you actually know him p>
A shadow of a smile tugged at Austin’s mouth, hinting at hidden meanings. “Why don’t you take a guess p>
Instead of giving her a straight answer, he deflected smoothly. “Tell me this—what do you know about Rosara p>
The sudden shift hit her like a jolt. Brinley’s pulse kicked hard, and her fingers clenched around the seatbelt, the strap biting into her palm as her breath quickened.
She slowly turned to face him, only to find his expression calm—as though mentioning Rosara meant nothing at all.
“Just… heard about her.” She forced her voice into a casual rhythm. “Rosara used to be one of the big names—she even went up against Nightblade. It’s a shame she slipped away just as suddenly as he did p>
After a short hesitation, she added, as if testing him, “Doesn’t it strike you as odd? They both retired around the same time, and now they’re both stepping back into the spotlight together. Do you think… maybe they’ve had some kind of connection p>
𝖲𝗁𝖺rе 𝗒𝗼𝘶𝘳 𝘁𝗁𝘰𝘂g𝗵𝘵s 𝗈𝘯 ѕ.𝘤𝗼𝘮
Austin’s fingers idly traced the leather of the steering wheel while his eyes stayed on the traffic light glowing red ahead.
As the car eased to a stop, he finally turned, his gaze steady and searching. “Possibly. Two racers of that caliber might’ve been close off the track. By the way, I can’t help but notice that your racing skills are far from those of a beginner. On the simulator, your lines had the same precision—almost the same style—as Rosara’s p>
Brinley’s pulse gave a startled jump at his words, though she masked it with a light, practiced laugh. “Oh? What a coincidence p>
She reached for the bottle of water in the console, twisted off the cap, and took a measured sip, using the motion to steady her nerves. Her gaze slid back to him, playful yet probing.
“Come to think of it, you sound awfully familiar with Nightblade. Don’t tell me… you’re actually him p>
The remark landed somewhere between jest and suspicion, and she watched his expression with deliberate care.
Austin arched one brow, started the engine, and eased the car into the morning traffic. His voice was maddeningly unreadable. “Suppose I said I was p>
Her heartbeat stumbled again, and she leaned forward, ready to push—until his mouth curved into a sly, teasing smile.
“Too bad. I’m not. I don’t have that level of talent p>
The light turned green, and the sleek Maybach glided seamlessly into the stream of cars.
Whatever tension had sparked between them dissolved into the steady hum of the engine, leaving the cabin deceptively calm.