"There's a saying that goes, you can't polish a turd, and it couldn't be truer for Niamh!"Her driving is embarrassingly amateurish! We gave her a top-tier modified race car, and she hasn't even floored the accelerator!" one engineer scoffed."I'm packing my bags and heading home. I refuse to stay and witness this humiliation!"On the track, the gap between Niamh and the other racers widened with every passing second. She kept waiting for someone ahead to make a mistake, but every single driver was pushing full throttle.No one showed any signs of slowing down. Panic crept into her eyes—if none of them faltered, she would finish dead last.Her expression darkened. There was no way she would allow that to happen. However, she still had a trick up her sleeve.Meanwhile, Beau stood by the glass window in the VIP lounge, clutching a model of Corona's race car. He jumped up and down excitedly, chanting, "Go, Luna! Go, Luna!"Ethel, who was seated comfortably in her chair, watched the
Niamh noticed Corona's hood lifting and curled her lips in satisfaction. Now, Corona would have to slow down; otherwise, it would end in a catastrophic crash.The mechanics waved their flags, signaling for Elara to enter the pit. In a racing competition, the fastest lap time determined the winner. As long as Corona's hood was adjusted in time, Luna still had a chance to secure the best result.However, Corona sped past the pit entrance without the slightest intention of stopping."She's not coming in for repairs!""With the car like that, how is she supposed to keep racing?"Even the mechanics were gaping in shock, eyes fixed on the still-speeding Corona with its hood flapping dangerously."Holy shit!"The young elites of the capital, who had been lounging with their legs crossed, all sat up straight.Some grabbed their binoculars and focused on the giant screen. Among them sat Benjamin, his eyes widening in disbelief. Seeing that Corona had no intention of slowing down, Benjam
In the grandstands, Benjamin was on the phone with Abel. "Hey, Dad, Niamh lost. Yeah, dead last, with a massive gap between her and the second-to-last finisher."As he said this, Benjamin couldn't help but burst into laughter. On the other end of the call, Abel's voice erupted in frustration."She must have glue for brains! Her head is full of mush! I told her not to go up there and embarrass herself; now look what happened! The entire Capitol knows she's a lost cause!"Abel pressed a hand to his forehead in exasperation on the other line. "The Jones family's reputation is in shambles because of her!"Meanwhile, the voices of other wealthy young men rang out in excitement."Holy shit! Is Luna actually revealing her face?""No way! The mysterious Luna is finally taking off her mask!"The elite spectators all jumped to their feet. Some raised their binoculars, locking onto Luna as she stood on the track, while others pulled out their phones, zooming in as much as possible.Benjam
"Why… Why is my pretentious mom actually Luna? Ahhh!"Beau's little face turned bright red as he threw his head back with his mouth wide open and wailed uncontrollably.…"Gosh…"In another VIP suite, Rupert, who was already kneeling on the floor, felt his body go limp the moment he saw Corona safely cross the finish line. It was as if his spine had been ripped out, leaving his upper body to collapse like a pile of noodles.Only then did he muster the courage to turn his head and look at the man standing behind him—the one who held his life in his hands.Theodore's gaze was currently locked onto the giant screen. In his eyes, there was only Elara.His hand, as meticulously crafted as a sculptor's masterpiece, rested against the glass. The veins on the back of his hand faintly surfaced, resembling the delicate patterns hidden within rare crystals.His long fingers traced the surface of the glass, gliding back and forth. From Theodore's angle, it almost seemed as though he was ge
A bright smile spread across Elara's face."Today, I returned to the track driving Corona. I revealed my identity because I want to show everyone that even as a mother, I can still shine on the racetrack."As long as you press the accelerator, face every challenge without fear, and move forward, it's never too late!"Niamh placed one hand on her hip, her mouth hanging open as she blinked in disbelief. "How could you possibly be Luna?"This had to be a joke! Was Elara seriously trying to impersonate Luna?"She is Luna!"A deep male voice suddenly rang out. Niamh turned toward the source and saw that it was Harvey who had spoken. She was stunned, all while panic creeping over her."Harvey, have you been fooled by her too..."Harvey clenched his fists, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged. For the past few minutes, even after the race had ended, he had remained in a state of utter disbelief.Wave after wave of shock crashed over him, leaving him completely unprepared, di
"Isn't it normal for kids to admire strength?" Niamh spoke up in Beau's defense."What's wrong with him wanting a stronger, more capable mother?"Elara shot her a look of pure disdain. "With a brain smaller than a sunflower seed, you think you're worthy of speaking to me?""Why, you little…"Niamh clenched her fists, fuming, but she had to maintain her image and couldn't curse out loud with so many people watching.She turned to Harvey, silently pleading for his support. Meanwhile, Harvey's expression was heavy. His chest was tight with emotions he couldn't find a way to release.The sun burned fiercely overhead, yet the air that filled his lungs felt like icy blades slicing through his nasal passages.His voice was cold, like the surface of a frozen lake as he said, "Your reason for revealing your true identity in front of all these people, wasn't it just to make us see you differently?"Elara let out a sharp, chilly laugh. "I don't even like you anymore. Can you stop flatteri
There had been countless times when he fell, and Elara would always rush over to pick him up without hesitation. Now, as Beau turned and was expecting to see her, his crying came to an abrupt stop when he realized the person behind him was Niamh.Niamh wiped the tears from his face. "Beau, don't be sad. I'll take you for a ride on my bike. We don't need to care about those people!"Beau sniffled and nodded. "Niamh, you treat me the best."Niamh grinned. "Of course! I'm your second dad! If I don't treat you well, who will? Let's go!"She took Beau's hand and led him to the parking lot, where she placed a helmet on his head before starting her motorcycle. The powerful machine, like a steel beast, roared to life.Just as they were about to exit the parking lot, a group of police officers appeared, heading straight for Niamh. Recognizing her by her racing suit, one of them immediately pulled out his badge."Niamh Jones! Stop the vehicle!"However, Niamh slammed the throttle down to
Harvey didn't look at Theodore. Instead, his proud gaze fell directly on Elara. "I'll cover Corona's repair costs."To him, anything that could be solved with money wasn't a real problem.Elara looked at him and asked, "She's taken a five-year-old child on a heavy motorcycle multiple times. Have you never been concerned about that?"The man frowned. "And in what capacity are you questioning me about my son?"Elara let out a cold laugh.Harvey continued, "Beau ran off after you scolded him, and the only one who went after him to comfort him was Niamh. I trust her driving skills."His tone grew even more indifferent as he added, "But as for you, whenever something happens, you have to escalate it to the highest level."You'd call the police and make it seem like the whole world owes you something. Is that the only way you'll feel joy?"Just as Elara was about to respond, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her like an invisible force crashing into her body. Her limbs tensed into spasm
Elara stood still as she gazed at the tall, distinguished man before her. Meanwhile, Theodore looked up and smiled at her against the light."Why are you so far away?"Elara stepped toward him, teasing lightly, "I wanted a good look at you.""Then you'll need to come closer." Theodore leaned forward, closing the distance between them.Though she stopped a step away, their faces nearly touched. Elara instinctively held her breath as her eyes locked on him."Can you see clearly now?" Theodore asked."Mm," Elara replied."And?""So handsome." Elara praised him sincerely. "You're one of the most attractive men I've ever seen!"She truly meant it. Theodore chuckled through his nose. She'd seen plenty of handsome men in her life—Finnegan, Harvey, and Leonard. Especially Leonard, whose looks even made Theodore feel somewhat threatened."My face is the least remarkable part of me." He declared confidently.Images of those shirtless photos Theodore had sent flashed through Elara's mi
Harold smiled as he explained, "Of course, they're talking about the most prominent figure in all of Capitol."Although Angie had lived in Melcina for years, she still kept up with the major gossip surrounding Capitol's elite families.And when it came to the most famous heir of the Snapp family, none other than Theodore came to mind. His reputation was practically legendary—everything he touched turned to gold. It was as if, with just a flick of his fingers, he could rise to the top of any industry."Does he have any business dealings with Quantum Tech?" she asked.Harold replied, "Ms. Price is interested in having Mr. Snapp's firm, Polaris Law Firm, take over Quantum Tech's legal affairs."The moment Harold said this, Angie understood that Priscilla clearly had an ulterior motive. She must be looking to shift her business focus back to Eucon, and using Quantum Tech to pull Theodore into her orbit was the first step."So, that means Mr. Snapp's visit is to discuss a legal partne
When Angie realized what she'd been saying, she quickly apologized, "Sorry, Leonard, for making you listen to my complaints all this time.""It's fine." Leonard's cool voice resonated like a struck bronze bell, sending subtle vibrations through her heart.This was the first time Angie had managed to keep Leonard on the phone for so long, though their entire conversation revolved around Elara.Leonard showing such rare patience made Angie's lips curve upward in delight."Can I call you again in the future?" She ventured the bold question, though anxiety churned inside."You may call if it's regarding Quantum Tech matters."He had glimpsed an Elara who was completely different from the respectful woman he knew through Angie's words. So, she had a temper too—how intriguing.Angie's smile stretched ear to ear as she continued, "Leonard, thank you for listening to my grievances.""Oh, right."Suddenly remembering something, Angie added, "Quantum Tech has a front-end project collabo
Angie visibly flushed with embarrassment, and the other employees fell silent. Some immediately lowered their heads to focus on their meals, while others held their breath, pressing their lips together to control their expressions."Angie's been abroad too long—she's not used to strict workplace hierarchies," Samuel defended her, raising his voice."Elara, now that you're CEO, you just can't wait for everyone to bow and scrape before you, huh? You might not realize this, but modern workplaces emphasize equality—we all address each other as colleagues now."His mocking tone was unmistakable. As the eldest son of the Quinn family, he clearly didn't take Elara seriously.Elara met his disdainful gaze. "Fine."She continued calmly, "Then let's abolish internal titles at Quantum Tech. All employees will be leveled equally, with salaries determined by performance. Anyone above L4 will be downgraded to L4, so there's true equality across the board. That's the only way to eliminate workpl
When Elara came to her senses, she noticed Leonard was already gone—and Angie had disappeared with him.The nature of Leonard and Angie's relationship was undeniably intriguing, but since Leonard chose not to share, Elara felt it would be improper to pry into her elder's private affairs.She then joined the other Quantum Tech employees in seeing off the city officials. Harold immediately seized the chance to cozy up to her. "Elara, I'm dying to know—how did you become Quantum Tech's leader?"He continued eagerly, "I've been helping out at Quantum Tech recently. Ohm Technologies and my lab are collaborating on a project with them."Elara merely nodded, showing no interest in further conversation.Undeterred, Harold pressed on. "Let me introduce you to everyone at Quantum Tech."His enthusiasm was purely for show—he wanted the company to know he had special connections with Elara."You know Mr. Quinn, right?" he asked, making introductions.Elara glanced at the sharp-featured man
"Elara, you're the developer of the Prism project? Why have I never heard you mention this before?" Harold blurted out in confusion.After processing this information, he suddenly remembered Priscilla's second statement. He blinked, wondering if he'd misheard.He immediately turned to Samuel beside him. "Did I hear that wrong? It's so noisy here—what did Ms. Price just say? Who's Quantum Tech's leader?"Samuel's expression stiffened visibly.Meanwhile, Angie stared at Elara with suspicion. "What kind of deal did you make with Ms. Price? How could you possibly be Quantum Tech's lead?"Her instincts told her there had to be some mistake. She'd investigated Elara earlier. She was just a woman who dropped out of her direct PhD program at Capitol University to get married and become a housewife, without any substantial work experience.Someone like Elara might qualify as a janitor at Quantum Tech at best."What qualifications does she have to lead Quantum Tech?" Samuel muttered under
"My apologies, Ms. Price, the alarms in the data center are too loud. Let's switch to a video call."As she spoke, Elara connected her phone to the projection system. Priscilla tapped her screen to enable video, and in the next second, her face appeared on the large display.Everyone looked up at the screen in surprise. Angie even gasped. "Ms. Price?" From Priscilla's perspective, her phone only showed Elara's face through the camera feed."Ms. Price, I'm already in the data center. Please give your instructions," Elara continued.Her tone remained perfectly neutral. Priscilla responded, "You're Quantum Tech's leader. What professional guidance could I possibly give you?"Elara turned on the speakerphone, amplifying Priscilla's voice through the room. Amidst the urgent wailing of alarms, Priscilla's words sounded almost surreal. The surrounding crowd struggled to process what was happening."Elara Jones, do you realize city officials are inspecting Quantum Tech today? With the
Angie led the group into the digital data center."Good afternoon, Ms. Shelton." The employees greeted her with deep respect, their gazes filled with admiration.Angie maintained an aloof demeanor as she asked, "How's the testing on Prism's data coming along?""The basic framework is stable now. We're currently fine-tuning the details of Prism's database."Angie nodded. "Run the Prism system for our guests.""Uh... About that—"The staff hesitated. "We haven't fully mastered this framework yet..."Angie frowned. "After all this time, you still haven't figured it out?"Seeing their uneasy expressions, she sighed. "This framework's structure is elementary. Fine, I'll do it myself."The researchers' eyes lit up with excitement upon hearing this."The Prism model's framework design is incredibly complex—it completely defies conventional understanding. Yet Ms. Shelton mastered the entire codebase so quickly after joining!""No wonder she's Aempleforth Street's most sought-after g
Samuel sneered. "I bet she's just clinging to Prof. Fisher by exploiting her past connection with Harvey."Harold pressed his lips together, silently agreeing with Samuel's words.As Angie finished her introduction of Quantum Tech, she took advantage of the officials' hushed discussions to glance at Elara. Remembering the photos Rosalie had sent her—showing Elara painstakingly building rapport with Xavier—Angie let out a cold, mocking laugh through her nose.She strode directly to Leonard's side to ask, "How's Xavier doing?"Elara was slightly surprised by the question. Angie bore some resemblance to Xavier, so she wondered what exactly their relationship was.Leonard ignored her inquiry and instead asked, "How long do you plan to stay at Quantum Tech?"Their exchange suggested familiarity."My goal is to join Dragonheart!" said Angie.She met Leonard's gaze with blazing confidence, but his expression remained as cold and detached as an eternal glacier.Craig interjected, "Pro