The prompt sounded through the speakers, followed by the announcer’s voice calling for the participants in the next round. Hannah stood and patted Edwin on the shoulder.
“All right, let’s settle that matter once the race is over.”
As Hannah’s steed ambled to the racetrack, Brayden came up beside her.
“Do you realize that you ruffled a lot of feathers by having two participants from the White Group? And you both won, too!”
“I’m afraid there’s just no stopping that cousin of mine,” Hannah said, pulling at her reins to slow her horse down.
“She insists on competing with me. I don’t think she really cares about the land, really. And I don’t know what’s wrong with her, either, so take this up with her instead of me.”
“I just thought to warn you, is all. Take it as concern from a friend. There are some who think you both did it on purpose. You’d better make the time to explain the situation to them later.”
“Got it,” Hannah replied, totally unfazed.
Johanna, who was oblivious to the drama she was stirring, came up on the other side of Hannah. She slowed just enough to sneer at the latter before trotting away.
Before long, the four participants were at the starting line, poised and ready for their cue.
When the gunshot rang, Brayden deliberately waited for a second before sending his horse into a gallop.
Johanna, on the other hand, rushed ahead without a _ second’s hesitation.
It gave her an initial advantage, to be sure, but it didn’t last long. After a few seconds, Hannah managed to catch up to her.
Seeing that Hannah was about to overtake her and claim the lead, Johanna raised her whip and aimed it at Hannah’s back.
“Watch out!” someone shouted.
Brayden had been leisurely riding his horse until he caught sight of Johanna’s actions ahead, causing a surge of fear to jolt through him.
His heart raced, and he nearly leaped from the saddle.
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“Watch out!” he exclaimed, the urgency evident in his voice. Without a moment’s hesitation, he spurred his steed into swift motion, determined to assist.
Johanna’s whip lashed Hannah’s back, the crack echoing across the track.
“Sssss!”
Hannah reacted with a soft hiss.
She firmly seized the reins and lunged forward.
Even beneath her thick riding attire, a searing pain radiated from the welt on her back, yet she maintained her determined grip on the reins, refusing to slow her pace.
From a distance, Bryson observed Johanna’s reckless move and sprang to action.