It was late at night when Nicola finally wrapped up her extra practice. She was heading back to the dorms for some rest.
The training hall was empty except for her, and the path to the dorms was only lined with dim streetlights.
She had barely advanced a few steps when someone called her name.
Fear filled her eyes. She tried to slip away, but it was already too late.
Leaning on a crutch, Shannon blocked Nicola's path with some of her lackeys. "I heard your scores have been going up lately. Looks like training under Noelle has paid off, huh?"
Nicola couldn't fathom Shannon's intentions. Backing a few steps away, she avoided Shannon's gaze and muttered, "I've improved a little, but I'm still at the bottom."
Ever since her last disciplinary warning, she'd been careful with everything. She was terrified of ending up like Hazel. If she really did, it'd be too late by then.
Shannon snickered. "I've heard you tried to warn Noelle not to drink the water several times. What, were you planning to tell her we'd spiked it?"
She never bothered with subtlety. After Hazel was sent back to basic training, she'd gotten back in touch with Hazel. The medicine Hazel had slipped to Jayden had been supplied by Shannon.
The reason Shannon didn't act directly was simple. If she were found involved again, she'd be finished at the training camp.
Since Nicola had reported Turbolt Racing, Shannon had had her people warn Nicola. If Nicola didn't want to get into trouble, she had to act as the spy Turbolt Racing planted inside Flame Speed Racing, feeding back every detail.
Nicola had done her job well enough—until now.
This time, Shannon had arranged for Nicola to work with Jayden on the poisoning plan. She hadn't expected Nicola to waver.
"I didn't…"
Nicola's voice came out small. She didn't dare to mess with Shannon and her gang. Before, Derrick could at least back her up—but now, she was on her own. She had no one to rely on anymore.
"You'd better not have," Shannon hissed, eyes hard and menacing. "If she hadn't broken my leg, I'd be competing in the international qualifiers myself. The league championship should've been mine. She wouldn't be basking in all this glory or starring in the ad…"
Her voice dropped to a threat. "If you ruin my plans, I'll make sure you can never race again."
Nicola hunched her shoulders, unable to meet Shannon's eyes. Regret gnawed at her as she wondered why she had ever gotten involved with people like this.
Now it felt like Shannon was stuck to her like glue, unable to shake her off.
…
A week later, life in the training camp went on as usual.
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