Chapter 81
Chapter 81:
A voice from the stands cut through the air. “If you can’t ride, get off!” Isabella heard it loud and clear. She didn’t have the energy to focus on Brenna now.
She had seen Brenna mount earlier—smooth, confident, and effortless.
Brenna clearly knew how to ride a horse.
Isabella’s legs started to shake, and her grip on the reins faltered.
Just then, the starting gun fired. Nine horses surged forward like arrows, thundering down the track. However, Isabella’s horse didn’t move.
“Come on…” Isabella’s face burned as she yanked at the reins. “Move, please p>
Laughter exploded from the stands. “Just give up!” someone jeered.
Isabella’s ears rang with mocking laughter as anxiety gripped her. No matter how much she tugged at the reins, the horse refused to move. Panic crept in—had someone tampered with the horse? Otherwise, why wouldn’t it move?
From the stands, Alex erupted into laughter, his arrogance on full display. He whistled and shouted, “What a joke! Is this really the best Belden has to offer? How did they let someone so stupid join the competition p>
His voice echoed loudly across the arena through the megaphone. Shame burned through Isabella. The more flustered she became, the more stubborn the horse was, refusing to move forward.
Alex continued his taunts, riling up the spectators. Their frustration boiled over, and soon, a chant erupted, demanding Isabella get off the horse. “Get off! Get off! Get off p>
Isabella longed to exit the arena, but fear kept her frozen. Stuck in the middle of the field, she had no idea how to dismount.
The shouting escalated, and Alex, emboldened, took his insults further, jeering at both Isabella and the crowd, “You people from Belden are all idiots p>
A bottle soared through the air, crashing near Isabella. Then another. And another. The sudden barrage startled Isabella’s horse, which reared up, kicking its front legs wildly. With a sharp cry, Isabella lost her grip and fell hard onto the ground.
The horse, spooked, bolted down the track, leaving Isabella sprawled on the ground, tears spilling down her face.
She had narrowly avoided being trampled.
Dazed and struggling to her feet, she staggered toward the sidelines—only to find herself directly in the path of two galloping horses. Brenna and Rosie thundered past her on their horses, completing their lap. Just then, Rosie’s whip sliced through the air, nearly hitting Isabella. Isabella gasped, frozen in fear, before collapsing into fresh sobs. The crowd erupted in mocking laughter. They believed Isabella had deeply embarrassed their country.
When Isabella attempted to move again, another wave of seven horses thundered past, forcing her to recoil in fear.
Jordy, still on horseback, felt the sting of humiliation. He felt as if the entire audience were mocking him.