Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Darn those Smiths, of all the times to pop up, they had to choose now.

"You folks keep chatting, I'll go sort this out," Karter grumbled, storming out with a face like thunder.

"I'm coming too!" Adrian piped in, quickly following behind.

"Who exactly are the Smiths?" Flora asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

Kruz, well-versed in the ongoing drama, explained, "The Smiths are another racing dynasty, much like the Browns. They're actually stronger than the Browns, which bugs them to no end that the Browns are among the top four families. So, they love stirring the pot whenever they can."

Upon hearing this, Flora's eyes narrowed slightly.

...

"What do the Browns want this time? If you're here to cause trouble, you'd better clear off!" Karter barked the moment he stepped outside, unable to hold back his frustration at the sight of the Smiths crowding his doorstep.

Normally, Karter was pretty easy-going, but that didn't mean he wouldn't blow his top when provoked, as he'd shown when he tore into Tommy during that infamous meeting. Truth be told, he had a bit of a short fuse. He was enjoying a nice chat with Flora, and now these intruders were ruining his mood!

Adrian rarely saw his dad lose it on anyone other than himself, and while he was surprised, he also found it a bit thrilling.

The head honcho of the Smith family, Zachary, was fifty-five, like Karter, but looked a good deal older, with hair more salt than pepper.

"Why all the fuss?" Zachary chuckled, "I heard the Browns had a little hiccup the other day, thought I'd drop by to offer my sympathies."

"Yeah, right! Like a fox in the henhouse, you're up to no good!" Adrian shot back.

Zachary chuckled again, not even bothering to deny it, "Word is, you've got a stash of miracle drugs."

Karter's face, already dark, clouded over even more.

He knew they weren't here for anything good. Typical.

"And what's it to you?" he sneered.

"No need for the hostility. I'm here to propose a deal, or rather, to lend a hand," Zachary said with a sly grin. "On the 15th, Racing Club 257 is

holding a team assessment, andmet

we've drawn the same lot, so we're

up against each other. I'll throw the race, let you win, and in return, you hand over those miracle drugs. Sound fair?"

Karter's face turned so dark it could have been the bottom of a coal mine, eyes blazing with fury.

"You think we need you to lose on purpose for us?"

"Don't be so stubborn. Racing Club 257 has a strict rule: fail three assessments in a row, and you're out. You've already got two strikes."

"If I really give it my all, you'll end up losing anyway."

Zachary continued with a smug

smile, "I know how much the Brown racing team means to you. You wouldn't want to see them booted from Racing Club 257, would you? Just a bit of those miracle drugs, and you can stay put. It's a sweet deal."

He paused briefly, "And don't worry, I'll make sure the Smiths' racers put on a good show, so no one suspects we're tanking the race on purpose. But hey, I'm just concerned it might not be convincing enough, and your racers might still lose."

He chuckled again, eyes full of undisguised mockery.

Karter and Adrian were shaking with rage!

This was way over the line!

"Oh, I thought I heard a dog barking-turns out it was just an old, smelly mutt."

Suddenly, a relaxed young voice floated over from behind them.

Karter and Adrian whipped around to see Flora, Connor, Kruz, and the Irvings, father and son, striding confidently towards them.