Chapter 226: Got Enough Cardio

Eventually, my legs finally threw in the towel. Chloe and I slowed down to a walk, and the SUV coasted right up beside us.

"Alright, that’s enough cardio for one lifetime," I muttered, opening the door.

Chloe slid in gracefully beside me, taking a bottle of water from the back seat, while Ruby was already slumped against the window, looking completely exhausted despite her cheat headstart. May had still passed her like she was standing completely still, leaving Ruby’s grand tactical maneuver in absolute dust.

The driver kept the SUV cruising at a slow, steady pace right behind May, who was still out there on the paved estate road, her ponytail swinging rhythmically as her legs kept turning over with effortless, rhythmic power.

I rolled down the passenger window, leaning my head out into the morning breeze as the car idled beside her.

"Hey, track star!" I called out over the engine rumble. "You do know you’re a sprinter, right? You don’t need to log marathon miles to hold a world record!"

May didn’t even break stride, glancing sideways at the car with a breathless, radiant laugh. Her skin was glistening under the morning sun, her eyes dancing with an unstoppable spark.

"I know!" May shouted back, pumping her arms as she kept up her pace. "Believe me, I know! But I swear, Ethan, ever since yesterday, it feels like I’ve got this insane, unlimited fountain of energy just bubbling up inside my chest! If I don’t burn it off out here, I’m going to literally explode!"

I chuckled, resting my arm on the door frame as I watched her fly along the road. "Admit it. You just can’t wait to get back out on an official track and completely obliterate that new girl’s record, can you?"

A fierce, dangerous smirk curved on May’s lips, her eyes blazing with raw, competitive fire as she picked up her speed just to stay ahead of the SUV bumper.

"Hell yeah, I am!" she grinned back, throwing her head back with a triumphant laugh. "She’s been holding that world record title for too long while I was stuck in my own head! I’m going to strip that crown right off her head in front of the entire planet!"

Her face softened for a split second as she glanced back at me, her smile turning sweet and full of affectionate warmth.

"Only problem is..." May sighed playfully, letting out a heavy breath as she slowed her stride down to a light, graceful jog alongside the passenger window. "...the next official global grand prix tournament is still weeks away. I have to wait forever just to do it officially!"

Chloe leaned forward from the back seat, resting her arms on the leather console with an amused smile. "Patience, May. A world record comeback is best served on the biggest stage possible."

"Easy for you to say!" May groaned jokingly, though her eyes were sparkling with sheer joy as the gates of the estate finally came into view up ahead.

I rested my elbow on the window frame, a slow, scheming grin spreading across my face as the SUV rolled up the driveway toward the mansion.

"I’ve got an idea," I said, looking out at May as she slowed down to a walk beside the car. "Why wait for the Grand Prix to smash her confidence? What if we set up a private match?"

May stopped dead in her tracks, wiping sweat from her forehead as her eyes went wide. "Wait... a private match?"

"Yeah," I nodded, stepping out of the SUV as the driver pulled up to the front entrance. "We bring her out to a private, top-tier track. Just you, her, no media, no public circus. You put her in her place and take her crown before she even sets foot in the official tournament."

Ruby popped her head out of the car door, her eyes sparkling with instant drama. "Ooh! A secret underground duel between track queens?! That is so chaotic—I love it!"

Chloe stepped gracefully out of the back seat, smoothing down her running jacket with a thoughtful smirk. "Strategically, it’s brilliant. If May dominates her in private, that girl’s mental state will be completely shattered before the Grand Prix even starts. She’ll be running scared when the official camera lights turn on."

May stood there in the morning sunlight, her chest heaving slightly, a dangerous, utterly thrilled smile slowly spreading across her lips.

"A private face-off..." May purred, bouncing on her toes as the sheer excitement hit her. "Just me, her, and the clock. No excuses. Ethan, you are absolutely evil... and I bloody love it!"

"Breakfast is ready, everyone!" Patricia called out, opening the grand front doors with a warm smile and the incredible aroma of fresh pancakes wafting out from the kitchen.

May threw her arm around my shoulder, leaning up to plant a quick, sweaty kiss on my cheek. "We are definitely talking about this over breakfast. Come on!"

May bounded up the grand front steps ahead of us, practically vibrating with excitement as she vanished inside toward the dining room.

Chloe smoothed her hair back, walking alongside me with that cool, composed poise as we stepped into the cooler air of the foyer. She glanced in the direction May had disappeared, a faint, fond smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"That actually isn’t a bad idea, Ethan," Chloe admitted smoothly, crossing her arms. "Setting up a private face-off gives her a real outlet to direct all that excess energy right now. Otherwise, she might run herself into the ground before the official Grand Prix even arrives."

"Right?" I smirked. "Plus, it lets her crush the girl’s morale early."

"Oh, speaking of crushing morale—"

Before I could react, Ruby darted in front of me, leaned up on her tiptoes, and planted a soft, lingering kiss on my cheek—in the exact same spot May had just kissed me a few seconds earlier.

Ruby pulled back with a triumphant little grin, her dark eyes glittering with mischief as she puffed her cheeks out dramatically, imitating May’s competitive front.

"There!" Ruby declared playfully, placing her hands on her hips. "Now my mark is over her mark! Front-seat privileges may be gone, but I refuse to lose the affection race!"

Chloe let out a soft, elegant laugh, shaking her head as she brushed past us toward the dining room. "You two are entirely incorrigible."

From down the hallway near the kitchen, May bumped her head back out into the corridor, catching Ruby in the act with her cheeks still puffed out. May narrowed her eyes into a fierce, playful glare, pointing a finger at Ruby.

"Hey! I saw that." May yelled, a hot pink blush rushing right back into her face as she stomped back toward us.

Ruby giggled, ducking behind my back to use me as a human shield.

The chaotic, warm energy filled the mansion, with Patricia chuckling soft greetings from the breakfast table where a massive spread was already steaming.