Save Myself from Desperation

However, Ryan quickly dismissed this thought.

He thought, ‘Everyone knows Ava, the Racing Legend is a man. And Ashley is a woman. How could the two be connected?” Ryan then quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

He pondered, ‘How can it be like this? Frankie’s search for Attelia led to Ashley, and Matthew’s mentor Ash is also Ashley. It is making me paranoid now. But thankfully, Ava, the Racing Legend, is a man. Ashley can’t possibly be Ava.

The tension inside Ryan then finally eased.

Yet, he still looked at Ashley curiously. “Mr. Lawrence just said he thought you were returning to racing today. How come | didn’t know you could race?”

Ashley responded indifferently, “There’s a lot you don’t know.”

“Ashley!” Ryan immediately felt irritated, thinking, “What kind of attitude is this toward her brother? Doesn't she have any respect?’

Ryan took a deep breath and stared intently at Ashley. “Since you can race, why not have a competition with me right now, here at the racetrack?”

He wanted to see just how good Ashley’s racing skills were.

If her skills were mediocre, then it was even less likely she was Ava.

But to Ryan’s surprise, Ashley, with a slight raise of her eyebrows, decisively refused his offer. “I don’t want to.”

With a look of confusion, Pullan turned his gaze to Ashley, silently asking why she refused to compete.

To Pullan, it seemed like a good opportunity to teach Ryan a lesson, especially after his rude behavior toward Ashley.

Sensing Pullan’s query, Ashley chuckled, yet with a barely noticeable bitterness, “Have you forgotten? | promised someone that | would no longer participate in racing competitions.”

Upon hearing this, Lester immediately understood and pondered, “This is 1/5

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the deal Ashley made with that doctor! Ashley announced her retirement to get the doctor to agree to operate on Ryan’s injured leg and promised the doctor she would never race again. For Ryan, she sacrificed her own. racing career without hesitation...

Hearing Ashley's words, Pullan suddenly remembered that Ava had. indeed said he would no longer participate in racing competitions when he announced his retirement.

However, Pullan only knew that Ava had suddenly retired, not aware of the specific reason behind it. Pullan thought it was such a shame.

For whatever reason, Ashley had to end her racing career at its peak, its most glorious moment. But it was Ashley's choice. All Pullan could do was support her.

So after Ava’s retirement, Pullan, overwhelmed with regret and heartache, never paid attention to racing again. Only when he heard Ashley was here today did Pullan come specially.

At that moment, Ryan, hearing Ashley say she had promised someone not to race again, scoffed derisively, “You're not scared, are you? You're afraid to race against me, so you found such an excuse?”

Ashley’s gaze then turned ice cold as she looked at him indifferently. Seconds later, she looked away with a poker face. “Feel free to interpret it however you wish.”

Ryan’s eyes flashed with more profound scorn. “Just admit it if you’re scared to race. There’s no need to give me such a ridiculous excuse, saying you promised someone not to race again. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

With that, Ryan deliberately let out an exaggerated and mocking laugh, which was particularly grating. Lester’s expression instantly turned grim, his gaze toward Ryan carrying a chilling, almost lethal edge.

Lester thought irritably, ‘Ashley sacrificed her career for Ryan to fulfill his dream of returning to the racetrack. She promised the doctor she would retire in exchange for Ryan’s treatment. And what is Ryan doing now? Mocking Ashley for being a coward and belittling her for not daring to

11:07 race. What did Ashley’s sacrifice earn her? Just this thankless, cold-hearted response?”

While Ryan was laughing loudly, he suddenly felt a cold, eerie gaze enveloping him, instantly silencing him. He turned to look and saw it was

Lester.

Lester was staring at Ryan with eyes as cold as the bottomless ice of a frozen lake.

Ryan was startled and quickly averted his gaze in a panic.

Ashley’s thick eyelashes fluttered slightly as she turned to glance at Lester. “The race is over. Let’s go.” With that, she turned and walked away.

Joseph and Jaden exchanged stunned looks, then hurriedly followed her.

Watching Ashley’s retreating figure, Ryan sneered again, “Ashley, it looks. like you really are too scared to race me. Since you've made up such a ridiculous excuse, I'll just assume you really did promise someone

race.” not to

Though Ryan said this, his tone was clearly sarcastic, mocking Ashley for being afraid to race him and deliberately finding an excuse to evade the challenge.

Bryce’s expression darkened, and after glaring at Ryan, he turned and walked away, following Ashley.

Ryan didn’t bother with Bryce, but he instantly felt a sharp pang in his heart when he caught Miranda’s disappointed and disheartened look.

Ryan mused, “Why does Miranda always side with Ashley? Can’t Miranda understand me for once? What’s wrong with me disliking Ashley and treating her poorly? Has Ashley ever been nice to me?”

Fuming inside, Ryan stared fiercely at Ashley’s back. “Ashley, this is your chickening out and running away. Don't regret it later!” Ashley seemed as if she hadn’t heard him and walked away without even. looking back.

Ryan was convinced that Ashley was definitely not Ava, as Ava wouldn't be this cowardly.

At that moment, Pullan glanced disapprovingly at Ryan and then at

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Ashley’s retreating figure. Suddenly, Pullan remembered something and. quickly chased after Ashley.

“Ashley!”

Ashley stopped upon hearing Pullan’s voice.

Pullan quickly approached her, saying “Ashley, | just remembered.

“When you agreed not to race again, it meant not participating in official competitions. Right now, a private match between you and Ryan doesn’t count as an official race!”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Ryan arrogantly walked over with his arms crossed and taunted. “Mr. Lawrence, | know Ashley is your friend, but it’s useless to find excuses for her if she herself doesn’t dare to race.

“Shut up!” Pullan cut him off with a cold glare. “Let’s get this straight. If you want to race Ashley, this match will just be for bragging rights. The winner gets no prize money, nor will it affect any racer’s points or standing on the leaderboard!”

The so-called leaderboard was a system where racers earned points for winning in official races.

Even though Ava had retired two years ago and hadn't raced since, he still held the top spot on the leaderboard, with a substantial lead over the second-place racer.

Even after giving other racers two years of opportunities, no one had managed to catch up, with Ava still dominating the highest record.

Looking mockingly at Ashley, Ryan sneered, “I agree with Mr. Lawrence’s terms. It’s just a friendly match. Now, do you dare to Trace me?”

‘Do | dare?’ she echoed in her mind.

“Ha...” Ashley lowered her gaze and chuckled. Her eyelashes lifted. slightly, and her eyes gleamed mysteriously. “Ryan, since we're going to compete, let’s raise the stakes. Whoever loses has to beg for mercy. Do you dare?”