Secret Scion

"Noelle Steward... Oh, you're Noelle? As in the boss' missus?" Griffin exclaimed, suddenly remembering that Asher married a Noelle Steward in Rollinsford. He could not resist studying her just then before grinning. "Well, I have to give it to the boss-he really knows how to pick them. Hell, I promise you, there's no one in Alexandrius who can match your beauty! Haha!" Griffin's words were naturally a sweeping statement that stepped on everyone's toes, including Rose's.

Even though Noelle promptly shook her head with humility, Rose's gaze was flaring. For one, she was equal to Noelle in the looks department, so Griffin's claim was naturally insulting... Even if she had rejected Asher before, the women he dated afterward were each more beautiful than the next, which was unquestionably a slap to Rose's face.

Meanwhile, Asher remained impassive as he growled, "Whatever you say, Fatty. Just don't take up the bet with Jeremiah. It's so obvious that he's trying to humiliate you, and you're not stupid enough to give him the chance, are you? Come on, quit wasting your time, and let's go somewhere quiet. Drinks are on me."

At the same time, Layla was studying Noelle from head to toe. She had first seen her picture on the internet, but she was no more than a silhouette in the darkness in it. Hence, Layla was not able to see her face, which was why she mistook Livia for Noelle when she met her. Strictly speaking, today was their first meeting, and while Layla had confidence in her own beauty, she could not help feeling a little humbled when she saw Noelle.

Frowning slightly, Layla wondered grumpily to herself what was good about Asher, and why the ladies around him were always so beautiful.

Nonetheless, she put the thought aside at Asher's words and nodded in agreement. "Ash is right, Griffin. This race means nothing, and so what if you win? Moreover, Miss Steward is visiting Alexandrius for the first time. Don't you think you should show some hospitality as host?" "Of course," Griffin replied. "I'll do just that for the boss' missus tonight, but my word is gold, and I'm not about to renege on a bet."

"The boss' missus?" Phoebe snorted coolly. "So, what does that make me?"

Griffin simply flashed a cheeky smile at Phoebe but otherwise ignored her.

That was when Jeremiah blew a raspberry. "Aren't you being a little overbearing, Asher? Griffin has already agreed to race me, and making him renege is a slap to his face, don't you think? Anyway, I'll be waiting for you at the race track, Griffin. Be a man, and don't run away now." With those words, Jeremiah left and headed for his garage.

Griffin saw the somberness on Ash's face then, and knew then that his friend was actually worried for him. However, despite having no confidence about winning the race at all, Griffin would rather die than surrender to Jeremiah without putting up a fight.

"It's fine, Boss. Losing is nothing... He's dreaming if he really thinks that I'd call him daddy," he said quietly near Ash, flashing a grin before driving off in his 720s. The supercar's engine purred as it made its way unhurriedly toward the race track.

Seeing that, Asher had no choice but to play along with Griffin's whims.

***

The driving club had its own race track and indoor spectators' seats. The crowd of dozens soon arrived within, glancing between ten screens that displayed everything happening on the three- mile race track in high definition.

At the moment, Griffin's McLaren 720s and Jeremiah's green Ferrari 488 were ready and waiting on the starting line. For those who knew their cars, the acceleration of the 720s would make the 488 look as if it was staying still, but Jeremiah was clearly confident in his driving skills since he chose the 488.

Meanwhile, Layla introduced herself to Noelle once she entered the spectator's room. "Hello, Noelle. I'm Asher's cousin, Layla Knight."

Noelle smiled politely right then. "Pleasure to meet you-Ash told me that you are beautiful and an outstanding person. It's obvious he's not lying.

Layla shot Asher a look right then. Was it even possible that he gave her such an introduction? After some thought, she said, "I know Asher long enough to tell that that's not what he said about me... but I guess I'm content as long as he's not badmouthing me."

Noelle could not help but do a double take-she did not expect that the cousins were on such bad terms.

That was when Rose walked up to them and said, "Asher, you know what Griffin is like than everyone else around here. He's most likely losing, and I could only hope that he won't be a sore loser and leave a mess."

After all, Jeremiah was Sebastian's younger brother. That was why Rose was warning Asher to put a leash on Griffin.

However, her warning only drew a giggle from Savannah. "You worry too much, Miss Schmidt. Griffin is Harlow's grandson, and I'm sure he won't be a sore loser, not to mention that Jeremiah won't be afraid of him. Don't you agree, Asher?"

It should be noted that Ash had no idea that Savannah was the one who suggested the race. However, after Griffin hospitalized Tristan, it was only natural that Savannah wanted to get back

at Griffin as the leading scion of the Andersons. That was also why from Asher's standpoint, Savannah was trying to make things worse for Griffin.

Hence, he maintained an impassive expression even as he marveled at the grudge Savannah was nursing.

"I don't know if Griffin would renege on his bet, only that he's the designated heir of the Quinns. You, on the other hand, are no more than a child from the Andersons. Even if he loses, it's not up to you to dictate his actions."

Savanna smiled instead of getting angry at his words. "That's true. My family certainly aren't equals to yours or Griffin's, but there's no telling what happens in the future. Who knows? We Andersons might one day become your equals."

That was when a boom rocked over the screens, and both supercars shot forward like arrows at the same time. Naturally, the 488 lost to the 720s in initial acceleration. Griffin managed to pull away from Jeremiah immediately, but the latter maintained a steady pace and caught up as both cars approached the halfway point of the race track.

"Jeremiah caught up. It's his win."

Jordan exclaimed then, clapping a fellow university student on the shoulder, who added, "I was lucky to see Jeremiah race once before-not even professional racers are guaranteed of beating him. Furthermore, Griffin must at least weigh what, three hundred pounds? The McLaren isn't going to move quickly carrying a burden like that, no matter how good its specs are..." Pow!

Even before the youth could finish and before anyone knew it, the smile of contempt was gone from his face as he was sent flying before slamming heavily on the floor and left groaning in pain.

Naturally, Asher was the one who struck him, and he did not spare the youth a glance afterward and acted as if nothing happened.

Jordan was left clenching his fists, and he wanted nothing more than to charge at Asher to beat him up, but eventually resisted the impulse since he knew he would lose. Instead, he turned toward Juliette and said, "That bastard is too much, don't you think? He beats up one of Jeremiah's friends just because he's not around... Just give the word, and I'll have my boys put the fear of god in him."

However, Juliette had heard about Asher's past accomplishments, and if he could beat up almost every son of Alexandrius' richest and most powerful people, expecting that much to happen to a mere student of Alexandrius University was only natural.

Hence, she shook her head. "It's his fault for blabbering. Just carry him out of here."

Jordan feigned a sigh. Even though he was actually glad to hear that from Juliette, he made it seem as if she was the one who stopped him.

While he and his friends quickly carried Ash's victim away, Rose, whose eyes never left the screen, muttered, "The great scion of the Crawfords would actually stoop so low as to beat up a university student? Doesn't he know that it's demeaning to himself?"

Ash merely chuckled nonchalantly. "I'm used to it. Especially when I was wooing you."

Is he saying that wooing me was demeaning?

The very thought left Rose incensed, and she growled through clenched teeth, "The feeling's mutual-being the object of your affection was demeaning to me. Also, I have bad news for you; that one man you fear is returning."

Asher turned toward Rose in reflex.

The one man he feared? Could it be...?

Nonetheless, that was when Jordan pointed at the screen and exclaimed excitedly, "Jeremiah did it! He overtook Griffin!"

Ash quickly shelved his thoughts and turned back toward the screen. It turned out that Jeremiah's Ferrari had indeed sped past Griffin. Although Asher had a small spark of hope for Griffin, that was gone with the wind now that he saw what happened. It was obvious that Jeremiah eclipsed Griffin in both technique and experience when it came to racing. Nonetheless, everyone watched in surprise as Jeremiah braked ever so slightly, and Griffin promptly slammed his foot on his brakes since his McLaren would hit Jeremiah's Ferrari. Since both cars were racing at breakneck speeds, even a small brush would lead to a fatal crash. That was why Griffin must hit the brake. However, just as the McLaren almost hit the Ferrari in the rear, Jeremiah floored the pedal. His Ferrari lurched forward, covering almost thirty feet instantly, leaving Griffin with no hope of catching up.

"Fuck!" Griffin cursed viciously. That was definitely a foul play from Jeremiah!

Soon, Jeremiah arrived at the finish point with absolute advantage and alighted, taking off his helmet and watching smugly as Griffin's McLaren eventually reached him.

"You lost, Griffin."

"No, I didn't!" Griffin yelled. "You were trying to kill me!"

Jeremiah sneered. "So, you're reneging? Do you really think it's possible?"

In the spectator's room, Ash saw that things had clearly gone hostile and quickly hurried outside with Rose and everyone else in tow.