Given her royal lineage, it was compulsory to provide the finest materials for the princess's gown, as comfort was paramount
within the opulent walls of the palace.
After scouring the intefor royal attire appropriate for a variety of high-society events, Arabella found that night had fallen upon
her.
At the Kowloon Bay Raceway, not far from the starting line, a crowd had gathered. Among them were the members of the Drift
Kings and the Light Fleet, with onlookers to catch the night's action.
The Drift Kings had handed defeat to numerous teams in the past races, and tonight, curiosity was piqued. Would the Light Fleet
rise to the challenge and conquer the track at Kowloon Bay?
Ophelia Almond, the captain of the Light Fleet, had declared that victory would lead to an open invitation. All racing enthusiasts
would be welcto come, experience, and train on their turf.
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"Tell me, has your leader chickened out?" Harlan, the vice-captain of the Drift Kings, sneered from atop his sleek white sports car,
glancing at his expensive watch, "What's the hold-up? If you're scared, just admit it. Why send these rookies to take the heat?"
Laughter rippled through the crowd, and Candice, a fiery member of the Light Fleet, shot back, "First t| see someone so eager
to get schooled. The race is still six minutes away, not six seconds. Chill out."
"Exactly," echoed the rest of the Light Fleet.
"Enjoy your laughs now. | have a feeling you won't find anything funny when you're the ones eating dust," Candice retorted,
unafraid of Harlan's biting sarcasm.
The Drift Kings erupted into laughter, especially the vice-captain Harlan, who looked at the Light Fleet with a mocking grin, as if to
say they were in over their heads.
"Please, I've seen your captain's driving. If you think you can make us cry, you've got another thing coming," before Harlan's voice
trailed off, a beauty sidled up to him, initiating a heated exchange that left little to the imagination.
Candice had never cared for their antics, but with only five minutes to race time, she wondered about Arabella's whereabouts.
"Audrey, is Arabella going to show?" Mignon, another teammate, whispered to Candice, her gaze fixed on the scene before them,
"We're running out of time. Should we call her?"
They knew Arabella was Ophelia's close friend and wouldn't stand them up without a good reason. Still, a quick call might be
prudent.
"Ms. Almond said she's swamped and not to rush her. We wait," though worry creased her brows, Candice couldn't reveal any trace
of panic. If Arabella didn't show, she'd step in. Her skills weren't on par with Ms. Almond's, but she wouldn't go down without a
fight.
Harlan and his crew were unabashed in their public displays, embracing and kissing the women eagerly.
With just two minutes to spare, Harlan peeled away from his entourage, strutting towards Candice and taunting, "Looks like your
captain's bailed on you tonight."
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Candice ignored him.
"How about you keepcompany instead? | might even let you have a round," Harlan lifted Candice's chin with a lecherous smirk.
Furious, Candice smacked his hand away, delivering a stinging slap across his face. The Light Fleet rallied to her side in an instant.
"Talk is talk, but hands off!"
"You think you've got the right to touch Audrey like that?"
"Get a clue about who you're dealing with."
Harlan's cheek stung from the slap, and his team, inflamed by the affront, surged forward.
"Believe me, we can make you do it right here, right now."
"You're on our turf. Don't get too full of yourselves."
"Are you gonna take a slap from Harlan, or give a kiss to make Harlan feel better? Your choice."