Chapter 19: The Hidden Truth
The Sky and Lana's Turmoil
The sky over the city was overcast, mirroring Lana's stormy emotions. Her defeat against Axel still haunted her, but something more unsettling lingered: Axel's gaze when he mentioned that this was only the beginning. His words echoed in her mind, a cryptic hint at something far larger than just racing.
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A Confession from Rai
After the race, the team returned to the garage to evaluate their results. While everyone was busy, Rai seemed restless. He paced back and forth, his face filled with doubt.
Noticing this, Lana approached him. "Rai, is there something you want to tell me?"
Rai hesitated for a moment before exhaling deeply. "Lana, there's something you need to know. It's about Axel and… your mother's accident."
Lana's eyes widened. "What do you mean? What does Axel have to do with my mother?"
Rai looked down. "Axel isn't just a racer—he's also the right hand of a powerful mafia that's been targeting you. Your mother was once a racer who tried to expose their illegal operations. That accident… it wasn't a coincidence. Axel may not have done it himself, but he was involved."
His words struck Lana like a hammer. "And how long have you known about this?"
"Since I first joined your team," Rai admitted, guilt heavy in his voice. "I was sent by someone your mother trusted to protect you, but I was afraid to tell you the truth. Axel knows I'm on your side, which is why he's always tried to bring us down."
Lana stepped back, trying to process the revelation. Betrayal mixed with gratitude as she realized Rai had still been by her side. "You should've told me sooner," she said, her voice trembling.
"I know," Rai replied. "And I'll make it up to you. We'll uncover the truth together."
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A Secret Message from Kai
In the midst of the chaos, Lana received a message from Kai. It was short but carried critical information:
"Lana, I've found something that might help you. Meet me at the old spot."
Lana immediately knew what he meant: the old warehouse where she had first learned to drive with her father. When she arrived, Kai was waiting with a serious expression.
"I found some old files belonging to your mother," Kai said, handing her a flash drive. "It contains evidence that Axel and his mafia sabotaged the track during your mother's last race."
Lana opened the files on her laptop. There were photos, videos, and documents linking Axel to the mafia. But the most shocking was a video of her mother.
In the video, her mother said:
"Lana, if you're watching this, it means I failed to stop them. But I know you're stronger than me. Don't let them destroy your dreams, and don't be afraid to face the darkness on the track."
Tears streamed down Lana's face as she heard her mother's voice again.
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Axel's Hidden Plans
Meanwhile, Axel returned to the mafia headquarters to speak with their leader, known as "Mr. Nero."
"She's starting to suspect us," Axel said, lighting a cigarette. "Lana is getting too close to the truth."
Nero gave a cold smile. "Then we'll teach her a lesson in the next race. Make sure she doesn't reach the finish line."
Axel nodded. "The international competition will be the perfect stage to break her—physically and mentally."
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Media Backlash
The next day, a scandal erupted in the media. A fake video surfaced, showing Lana allegedly collaborating with the mafia. The video spread quickly, and major sponsors withdrew their support. Lana's reputation was in shambles.
"What is this?!" Vera yelled, slamming a newspaper onto the table.
"It must be Axel's doing," Aria said angrily.
Lana sat silently, trying to calm her mind. She knew this was part of their plan to destroy her.
"We have no choice," Lana finally said. "We need to find real evidence to fight back. Without it, I won't be able to race again."
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Plot Twist: A Betrayal in the Team
Amid the chaos, a shocking truth emerged. Vera, the mechanic Lana had trusted, was secretly connected to Axel.
Lana discovered the betrayal by accident while reviewing the garage's security footage. One of the recordings showed Vera meeting with Axel in the parking lot.
"So, you're working for them?" Lana demanded an explanation.
Vera panicked but eventually confessed. "I had no choice, Lana. They threatened my family. But I swear, I never wanted to hurt you. I only gave them small pieces of information, nothing more."
"Small or not, you betrayed me," Lana replied coldly.
Tears streamed down Vera's face. "I'm guilty, but I want to make things right. Please, give me a chance to fix this."
After much deliberation, Lana reluctantly decided to give Vera one last chance.
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A Confrontation with Axel
Toward the end of the chapter, Lana confronted Axel during a press event.
"You think I'll back down?" Lana asked firmly.
Axel smirked. "No. I know you're too stubborn for that. But I want you to know that in the next race, I'll make sure you regret your decision to challenge me."
Lana met his gaze, her eyes burning with determination. "I'll never give up. This isn't just about racing—it's about the truth."
Axel laughed, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes, as though he knew Lana's courage was a growing threat.
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Preparing for the International Race
The chapter ended with Lana and her team preparing for the international competition. They knew the challenges ahead were greater than anything they had faced before, but Lana's spirit remained unbroken.
As she stared at the distant track, Lana whispered to herself, "I won't lose. Not now, not ever."
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