Chapter 201: Racing with the Prince
The next morning.
Charlize, having had a good night's sleep, took a sip of milk and picked up the newspaper from the table.
After a moment, she suddenly burst into laughter, having seen something in the news.
"Martin, come here and check out this story, it's hilarious."
"Let me read it to you," she said, and started reading aloud.
"This morning, three thieves turned themselves in at the Los Angeles Police Department. Apparently, these three thieves were in an extreme state of panic, as if they had experienced a huge shock. They claimed they had been punished by God. While attempting to rob a villa, they encountered an endless staircase…"
"Haha, an endless staircase! Martin, don't you think this is hilarious? These three idiots are so funny! I suspect they were on drugs. Oh, the police think so too!"
Charlize continued reading: "They refused to reveal the address of the villa, believing it was an ominous place. In order to seek redemption, they went to the police station and willingly accepted prison time."
By this point, Charlize was laughing uncontrollably.
Martin laughed too!
With a knowing look!
...
Martin had been in Los Angeles for half a month, dating girls every day, and even attended a few days of school, causing quite a stir at the campus.
But the carefree days passed by in a flash.
By the end of March, Martin returned to Great Britain, where the gloomy weather in London made the air feel cold.
But the city was alive with the buzz surrounding Harry Potter.
By April, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was officially set to begin production, with most of the sets already completed.
This news became one of the biggest stories in the entertainment industry after the Oscars.
Paparazzi and reporters circled the set daily—confirming cast members, reporting on gossip, and the most anticipated story being the trio of young actors playing the "Golden Trio."
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint had become a media sensation. Any little bit of their activity could be turned into a headline.
And Martin's arrival attracted even more media attention, with more paparazzi gathered around the set.
But the reporters discovered something strange: they couldn't find Martin.
Where was he?
In a manor on the outskirts of London.
Martin was riding a brown Treckner horse, galloping along while drawing a bow and shooting arrows.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Arrows flew in quick succession.
"Wow, all bulls-eyes, amazing!" Prince Harry exclaimed in shock, lowering his binoculars.
Prince William, looking at Martin riding and shooting from horseback, turned to Harry with a complex expression and said, "This guy is literally the chosen one. Not only is he handsome and talented, but he's also strong. God really loves him."
"I love him too! By the way, William, do you know I secretly went to the set to meet the actor playing me? What's his name again? Oh, Daniel Radcliffe. He's a good kid. He even looks a bit like me!" Prince Harry said excitedly.
William couldn't help but facepalm. His silly brother had convinced himself that Harry Potter was based on him, and had even told the tabloids, causing many people to believe it was true.
But in private, William had asked Martin, and he knew that wasn't the case.
However, Martin hadn't corrected him, instead using ambiguous comments to mislead the media, clearly trying to ride the wave of Harry Potter's popularity.
Damn it, if only this guy weren't friends with our mother and if I weren't such a fan of the Harry Potter books, I should expose him!
"Hey, kids, lunch is ready!"
Diana appeared behind William and Harry, her gaze complicated as she looked at the figure riding gallantly on the horse.
Since that charity banquet, she didn't know how to face Martin and had hurried back to England.
It had been nearly two years since they last met, but when Martin agreed to visit her manor after she invited him, all her doubts vanished, replaced by joy and anticipation.
When she saw Martin again, Diana was surprised—he had grown so quickly. Now, he looked like a mature gentleman.
"Whoa~!"
Martin reined in his horse in front of Diana.
The horse lifted its front legs high, standing on its hind legs.
Martin skillfully dismounted in a series of fluid motions, causing Harry to exclaim again, "Wow, that move of dismounting from the horse's head is so cool. I want to learn it!"
"Uncle Martin, teach me, please!" Harry eagerly asked.
William couldn't help but want to smack his brother's forehead, questioning, Where's your dignity as the Prince of Britain?
After lunch, Martin, William, and Harry went to the manor's racetrack and started go-kart racing.
After a quiet morning, William finally became excited. He raced around, overtaking Martin and Harry, shouting.
"Did you see that? This guy's 19 years old, but he still drives like a maniac!"
Harry, driving his go-kart side by side with Martin's, laughed and joked, "This guy just loves racing. He secretly bought a Ducati motorcycle, riding it late at night and racing on the streets. He thought no one knew, but I've known all along—"
"Wait, Ducati?" Martin interrupted, his expression puzzled. "Could that reckless driver from last night's news be William?"
Harry grinned, "Yep, that's him! Luckily, he wore a helmet, or the Royal Family would have another scandal on their hands. Grandma would be furious!"
"Oh, oh, oh, oh…"
A string of exclamations passed by as William zoomed past Martin and Harry again.
"Hey, guys, keep up! I've lapped you guys how many times already? You're useless!"
When William passed Martin and Harry once again, he yelled.
Harry rolled his eyes. "See? This is his real self. All that politeness is just a disguise."
"Martin, aren't you a genius? Dare to race me?" William called as he lapped them once more.
"Don't mind him, he—"
Before Harry could finish, Martin had already floored the gas pedal and shot off.
"William, let me show you what a genius can do. I'm going to show you what it means to be a prodigy!"
"This idiot really thinks being a genius means he can do anything? William's been secretly training with a pro coach…" Harry muttered to himself as he saw Martin catch up and overtake William, and then—
The roar of engines approached quickly, and the two go-karts sped past Harry, leaving them far behind.
"I hate racing!" Harry shuddered.
And this was true—he didn't like anything that went fast—whether it was horses, sports cars, or go-karts... He was scared of speed!
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧