Chapter 5 Challenge

Rodger's grip clamped down on Emilia's wrist hard enough to sting, and she barked in frustration, "Let go of me."

A mocking snort left Rodger as he stared down at her. "Still pretending, huh? You just can't leave me, can you?"

Emilia rolled her eyes. She could not believe she ever missed how full of himself this man was.

She retorted, "You think I came here for you? Don't flatter yourself."

"What else am I supposed to believe? Your cheap tricks are obvious." Rodger narrowed his eyes.

"You really should get a doctor to check on your narcissism, you bastard!" Emilia snapped.

The insult stung, turning Rodger's face a shade redder. "What did you just say?!"

"Don't make me repeat myself, you narcissistic bastard," Emilia retorted, her words like a whip crack.

Rodger squeezed her wrist tighter, each word stretched with warning. "Emilia Harris!"

"You'd better release me, unless you want me humiliating you in front of everyone here." Emilia's voice faltered for a moment as pain stabbed through her arm.

"Do it. Show me how you think you'll humiliate me," Rodger said, staring her down with contempt.

"You asked for it!" Emilia snapped, yanking her free hand upward in a vicious arc meant to slap his face.

But having learned his lesson, Rodger was already prepared for such a move. His hand shot out, trapping her other wrist in an unyielding grip. Now both of her arms were pinned tight.

"Is that all you've got?" he taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.

An almost invisible smirk flickered on Emilia's lips, her gaze turning cold.

Of course, that little outburst was just a ruse. Her real plan had nothing to do with slapping him.

Taking advantage of Rodger's momentary lapse in vigilance, Emilia slipped under his arms. Before Rodger could process what was happening, she drove her heel into the back of his knee.

The sudden pain forced his grip to loosen, and Emilia wasted no time. She tore her hands free and launched another swift kick, pressing her advantage without hesitation.

A heavy sound echoed through the racetrack. Rodger collapsed onto his knees, shocking the crowd into silence.

Watching the CEO of Mitchell Group brought to his knees by a single woman sent ripples of laughter through the crowd.

"Look at that! A big shot like him beaten by a woman."

Sebastian glared at the jeering crowd and barked, "You think that's funny? Try laughing again, and I'll make sure you regret it!"

He rushed to Rodger's side and pulled him up, asking quickly, "Are you hurt?"

Rodger scowled, his jaw set tight. "I'm fine," he muttered.

Watching him struggle, Emilia arched an eyebrow and grinned. "Learned your lesson?"

"You-!" Rodger sputtered, too furious to form a proper retort.

Locking eyes with Emilia, he sensed something new in her. The way she held herself now radiated the presence of a queen in her domain.

A strange tension filled the air, as if her confidence pressed down on him.

The image he once had of her, a timid woman without charm or fire, vanished in the face of her bold and unchained spirit.

Murmurs swept through the gathering as people tried to guess who she really was.

Since no one had ever heard about her marriage to Rodger, the truth of her past remained a mystery to all.

"Emilia! How dare you make a fool out of Rodger!" shouted Sebastian, his voice shaking with fury.

"Why wouldn't I dare? Actually, there are plenty of things I dare do." Emilia gave a careless shrug as if none of it mattered to her.

The ease in her tone, that mocking calm, burned Sebastian with shame.

"So you think nothing rattles you? Fine then! Let's see you race Rodger!" Sebastian barked, his anger spilling over.

"Challenge accepted. But simple racing? That's pretty boring. I've outgrown that game. If we're doing this, we're doing it in a thrilling way," replied Emilia with cool defiance.