Chapter 18

"Who said I ever wanted to join your team?" Rylie scoffed coldly. "Do you really see yourself as my brother?"

Phillip's smug expressioninstantly froze. The club members around him exchanged incredulous lookS,their murmurs rising in surprise. "What? You're not racing with us this year?"

Every year, Rylie participated in the club's races,though she was conspicuously absent from their pre-and post-race gatherings.

She had always been just a tool to guarantee Stacey's victories and the club's prestige.

Phillip immediately frowned, his tone sharp with reprimand. "Don't be so ungrateful. Racing with us has always been an honor for you."

Rylie laughed bitterly. "An honor? Is my name even on the team's official roster?"

Phillip stared at her in disbelief. "Why fuss over trivial details? Obviously, the official position is reserved for Stacey. You being a substitute is already the greatest honor I've bestowed on you."

Rylie sneered, raising her head to meet Phillip's eyes,her gaze icy, "Phillip, every year l've raced as Stacey's stand-in, running the full course, only for her to claim the trophy and prize money. Exactly what honor have l ever received?"

"That's because Stacey is more dependable than you! Her skills are no less impressive!" Phillip snapped defensively. "Besides, Stacey has endured so much hardship from you ever since she lived with us.Helping her is your responsibility!"

People surrounding Phillip chimed in, attempting to coax Rylie, "Yes, Stacey is kind and devoted to racing. It's fitting she gets recognition. Rylie, you're family-don't be so petty."

"I'm no longer a Kirk," Rylie shot back sharply. "And I won't be racing with you again. If you want trophies,go earn them yourselves."

Phillip was momentarily stunned, never expecting such defiance from Rylie.

Anger flared in him. "Rylie! You don't really believe our team needs you to win, do you? I only offered you a place out of pity, to help you earn a little cash so you wouldn't resort to hanging around rich old men! Are you aiming to become a gold digger?"

Phillip's words dripped venom, and Rylie didn't hesitate. Her hand flashed out and struck him across the face.

The slap sent Phillip sprawling to the floor, blood trickling from his split lip. Stunned, he stared up in disbelief. "You dare hit me!"①

Rylie shook her stinging hand, her voice calm yet ruthless. "Since Stacey is so talented, let her lead your team to victory. Don't bother me again - or next time, I'll make sure you won't even be able to lways Right drive!"

Having joined Britton's racing club, Rylie relished the thought of facing them as rivals.

Being knocked down by a woman in public crushed Phillip's pride. Fury overcoming his humiliation, he sprang to his feet, lunging to grab Rylie.

Security swiftly intervened as chaos erupted,and Clive, alerted by the commotion, returned to the scene.

Phillip struggled against the guards, the vivid slap mark making his expression even more ferocious."Rylie, is this who you really are? You've always bullied Stacey and exploited my kindness! Today, as your brother, I'll teach you a lesson!"

"What's going on here?" Clive immediately stepped protectively in front of Rylie, his voice stern. "How dare you cause trouble for my guest? Get out! You and your team are permanently banned from the Savory Haven!"

"And who do you think you are? The customer is always right-you can't throw me out!" Phillip spat angrily, fighting against the guards. "No one can stop me from disciplining my sister today!"

Regular patrons recognized Clive and warned softly,"Kirk boy, you'd better not offend Mr. Perry."

Those in the know were aware of Clive's connections to the powerful Morgan family, and his wife was a key figure in the world's largest restaurant empire.The Kirk family was insignificant in comparison.

Phillip, oblivious to these facts, continued ranting.

With a simple gesture from Clive, security threw Phillip and his followers out onto the street. Clive then declared firmly, "From now on, all Kirk family members are banned from every establishment I own. Take your entitled attitude somewhere else!"

Clive didn't just own one restaurant; he also had many cafés, bars, and eateries favored by high society. Being banned by Clive meant that Phillip would be excluded from future elite gatherings.

Only after being expelled and meeting contemptuous stares from passersby did Phillip realize his blunder.

That seemingly insignificant middle-aged man was actually the restaurant's influential owner, and Rylie was his honored guest.

How could this be? Rylie, who should've been a penniless outcast, knew such a prominent figure?

Brad emerged from the elevator, approaching Rylie with concern when he noticed the ruined cake in her hands. "The driver said he hadn't seen you yet. What happened here?"

"Nothing much, just ran into some unpleasant company." Rylie brushed it off, looking at Brad curiously. "Finished your meeting already?"

He'd hurried out of worry, anticipating trouble, but Brad simply nodded. "Yes. Let's go,I'll drive you home."

He pressed the elevator button and waited courteously, allowing her to step inside first.

Rylie entered confidently, and Brad leaned slightly toward her, their closeness spaking curiosity among observers.

It was the first time anyone had seen the enigmatic Brad openly attentive toward a seemingly unknown girl.

From the roadside, Phillip stared bitterly as a tall man in a luxury suit held open a car door for Rylie.

It wasn't just any car - its sheer extravagance revealed the man's elevated status.

How had Rylie's circumstances changed so drastically?

Lost in thought, Phillip barely noticed when a fellow racer tapped his shoulder. "Maybe you should head home. Didn't you say it was Stacey's birthday today?"

Snapping out of it, Phillip quickly left for home.

Yet, upon arriving, the usually festive house was unsettlingly quiet.

"Why isn't there a celebration?" Phillip asked,confused. "Where's Stacey?"

Leland rubbed his temples wearily, his tone cold and frustrated. "Don't even mention her. You have no idea what trouble she's caused."