Oh, what a complex person she was!

“Attention, everyone. The race will start in five minutes," announced the referee.

As she was deep in her reflections, she heard the referee announce that the competition would kick off in five minutes.

Snapped out of her thoughts, Claudia focused on the flag in the referee's hand.

Five minutes later, the starting gunshot echoed across the water. The flag dropped and the previously calm sea churned with activity as the motorboats accelerated.

Aurora and Amalia halted their whispered conversation, and turned their full attention to the big screen.

The stakes were high in the race, with first prize being half a million, second taking home three hundred thousand, and third winning a cool one hundred thousand.

Claudia found herself surrounded by familiar competitors, who seemed to have conspired to box her in at the start.

But it was no secret that Claudia had often claimed the top spot.

She effortlessly navigated around them, seizing an opening to pass on the right.

Seeing that on the big screen, Aurora was so caught up in the excitement that she couldn't help but yell, "Go, CC!"

The distance between the auditorium and the competition site was significant enough that the contestants couldn't actually hear any cheers. As a result, people in the audience typically refrained from vocal support for specific racers.

Nevertheless, Aurora let out a robust cheer, unfazed by the norm. Her eyes remained glued to the big screen, not missing a moment of the action.

Her exuberant cheering, however, drew Kayla's attention.

Upon recognizing Aurora, Kayla's brows furrowed.

Claudia's best friend was here, so where was Claudia?

Puzzled, Kayla rose from her seat and made her way over to Aurora.

The atmosphere was charged as the race continued. Then, Aurora felt a tap on her shoulder. Assuming it was Amalia, she said, “Keep your eyes on the race, Amalia!"

Amalia Looked puzzled. "What are you talking about, Aurora?" It was then that Aurora realized the tap had come from Kayla. Almost rolling her eyes, she asked, "And who might you be?"

“Miss Haywood, I'm Kayla Bryant. We've met before. I'm a friend of Townsend."

“And who is Townsend? Never heard of him dismissive sneer.

" Aurora responded, with a

“My apologies. I forgot you aren't familiar with his middle name. Townsend is Bennett. I noticed he's in the VIP section. Is Miss Marshall not attending today?"

“What business is it of yours whether my friend is here or not?" Aurora shot back.