Chapter 3

Taryn felt as if her heart had shattered. In all the time she had been with Zane, she had never once seen him beg anyone. Now, he was begging her—for Bernice. It felt like swallowing a shard of broken glass. Every breath cut her throat as if it were being sliced open. The pain was unbearable. Forcing down the ache in her chest, she violently shook off his hand and snapped, "I'll never donate blood to her!" Then, Zane left. For two whole weeks, Taryn didn't see him at Redline Motorsports. But since they were in the same industry, everything he did still reached her ears. For Bernice, Zane had used the Wilder family's influence to mobilize rare blood donors across the entire city. Anyone willing to donate was offered a huge reward. That day, just as Taryn arrived at Redline Motorsports, she overheard her colleagues talking. "We really misjudged this. Zane really doesn't like Taryn, but they looked so perfect together." "Zane already said he has someone he likes. He's even planning to confess. I heard Bernice is his first love. Let's not mention anymore that he and Taryn are a couple." Taryn knew the colleagues meant no harm, but every word cut her like a blade. Her heart felt as if it were bleeding. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open. She forced a smile, yet she remained as breathtaking and radiant as ever. "I've said it before—there's nothing between me and Zane. We're about to cancel the engagement anyway, so stop gossiping." Her colleagues smiled awkwardly. Just then, someone exclaimed, "Look! Isn't race car No. 06 on the track Taryn's car? She's right here, so who's driving it?" Taryn whipped her head toward the monitor, and her eyes widened. Her race car was her treasure and lifeblood. When her mentor, Ethan Walker, was still alive, they had spent three full months modifying it together. Every performance detail had been painstakingly tuned. After Ethan passed away, she had forbidden anyone from touching the car. Everyone at Redline Motorsports knew this rule and never dared to break it. Taryn stared at the monitor, trying desperately to see who was behind the wheel. Suddenly, her eyelid twitched. A sense of unease washed over her. Her instincts were always right. Something was about to happen. She bolted outside, holding back her anger as she tried to shout for them to stop. But just as she reached the edge of the track, a loud crash rang out. The scene seemed to slow down. Her beloved car slammed into the wall, the front end caving in instantly. Taryn's heart sank, and her entire body went cold. The car she and Ethan had modified together was destroyed. It was the only thing he had left her in this world. At that moment, panic swallowed her whole. Staff rushed toward the wreck to rescue the driver. Meanwhile, Taryn stood frozen in place. Since childhood, her family had been strict. Her parents had an arranged marriage as well, so family had meant nothing to them. They had never truly cared about her. In a way, she had grown up with Ethan. She had long considered him her true family. He had even died trying to save her, which was a debt she could never repay. And now, the only thing he had left her was gone. Taryn's eyes reddened. In the next moment, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning. The person climbing out of the driver's seat was Bernice. In an instant, fury consumed Taryn. How dare Bernice drive her car? Taryn charged forward but froze when she saw who stepped out of the passenger seat. She had told Zane what this car meant to her. He knew its importance. And yet, she watched him get out of the car and go straight to Bernice. It was only when Taryn stepped closer that she fully saw the damage. Half of the car's body was completely destroyed. Even if repaired, it would never feel the same again. The car was ruined, yet neither of them had been injured. Taryn took a deep breath, then raised her hand and slapped Bernice. The sound echoed through the air. Bernice covered her face in disbelief. "How dare you hit me?" Taryn's eyes blazed with fury. She looked as if she wanted to tear Bernice apart. She snapped, "It's my car! What gave you the right to touch it? Don't you know you can't steal what belongs to someone else? Bernice, are you really that shameless?" Zane immediately stepped in front of Bernice. Guilt flashed in his eyes, yet he still spoke up for her. "Bernice just recovered from her injuries. She wanted to test her feel and chose your car by coincidence. I didn't expect this to happen. I'll compensate you for the car."