F1 Champion's Perfect Crash: When Love Takes The Final Turn novel Chapter 17

I hadn't expected to see Adrian Chase at the charity auction, let alone watch him bid fifteen million for my jewelry collection.

I kept my response professional: "Thank you for your contribution to the children's fund, Mr. Chase."

His eyes reddened at the sight of me, years of carefully maintained composure cracking.

He gripped my hand like a lifeline, forcing us to retreat to the hallway away from whispers and stares.

"I never stopped looking for you."

His eyes never left me, as if memorizing every change six years had carved into my face. "Why did you leave?"

"The reasons hardly matter now." I pulled my hand away.

My indifference shattered his control.

"Was it the tattoo? Your birthday? Or..." his voice caught, "giving Sophia your mother's earring and making you apologize?"

He yanked down his collar.

"Look - I had your name redone. And the bracelet - I spent days reviewing security footage, tracking down that boy in the snow. I've worn it every day since..."

No need to twist the knife.

I wasn't that girl who'd haunted the edges of his racing world anymore.

I'd found my own spotlight, and there was no reverse gear for this particular race.

As I turned from his defeated figure, I caught sight of a familiar face by the door.

My smile - genuine, warm, golden - broke across my face as I moved toward waiting arms.