The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1651

"Best two out of three, first one to the finish line takes the crown. You got the rules of the underground street race, right? A little

bumping is all in the game."

Arabella's lips curled into a smirk, "Sure, let's get this show on the road."

Seeing Arabella so nonchalant, Harlan couldn't help but chuckle again. Gutsy little thing, he thought, impressed by the young

woman's courage.

He wondered if she'd keep that cool composure when their cars started trading paint. As he slid into his sleek white sports car,

folks from Arabella's crew, the Light Fleet, rallied around her with cheers and support.

"Go Bella! You've got this!"

"Don't stress it. Even if you lose, Ms. Almond knows how to handle him. No need to play the sacrificial lamb."

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"Knock on wood! What're you even saying? Bella's gonna breeze through to victory."

"Yeah, yeah, Ms. Almond's been talking you up, Bella. That championship is as good as yours!"

The referee, a leggy dwith a whistle around her neck, piped up, her voice broadcasting through a tiny mic clipped to her collar.

"Drivers, get ready. Cars will line up at the starting point in one minute."

"Here, Bella, have swater first," A Light Fleet member handed her a bottle with the cap already off.

"Are you nuts? It's freezing out here! Get her shot coffee or something."

"Bella, don't sweat it. Letgive you a quick shoulder massage to loosen up," another crew member reached into the driver's

seat to knead her shoulders.

"Just gotta ask, Bella." piped up Mignon, her curiosity getting the better of her, "Ever been in one of these underground races

before?"

"Never." Bella replied, her voice calm and even, adding after a pause, "First time."

Eyes widened all around, especially Mignon's; she took a good long moment to mentally reassure herself, "Well, you must've been

in sofficial races with Ms. Almond, right?"

"Not those either." Arabella said coolly, "Never been in any race, actually."

The shock rippled through the crowd again. So Arabella had zero racing experience? Mignon, refusing to give up hope, prodded

further, "Then you must be like, a serious car enthusiast, right? You've probably spent a lot of tracing for fun? You're familiar

with cars, surely."

"I know how to move forward, reverse, and brake."

The crowd took another deep breath. They were expecting a ringer brought in by Ms. Almond, not a complete novice.

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"So, um, if you don't mindasking," Mignon ventured timidly, her heart in her throat, "do you have a driver's license?"

"Yes."

A collective sigh of relief - at least there was no illegal driving. But tonight's race was fierce; it wasn't just any driver's game. Harlan

had left many pros battered and bruised, and shad even landed in the hospital.

And Ms. Almond was putting this girl, with no racing chops to speak of, in the hot seat. If Arabella got wrecked, how would they

ever explain it to Ms. Almond?

"Maybe we should let Candice take over." Mignon suggested out of concern about safety.

Candice might not be as sharp as Ms. Almond, but she had sracing under her belt and had done her homework on the

Kowloon Bay track.

"Don't worry," Arabella reassured as the clock ticked down, easing her car to the starting line.

A red and a white racer revved their engines, primed and ready to set out.