Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 65

Neil had never felt this embarrassed in his life. Honestly, this was even worse than losing a real race. Sure, he’d lost, but there was no way he was about to strip down and get on his knees to call her grandpa. That just wasn’t happening.

He tried to play it cool, flashing a sly grin. “So, let me guess. Chris brought you in as his secret weapon, right? Well, since they lost to me before and now we lost to you, I’d say we’re even. Let’s just call it a draw.”

Chris’ voice cut through the tension, full of anger. “Neil, you know exactly how you beat us last time. But she won tonight, fair and square. She’s just that good.”

Chris still couldn’t believe it. The girl everyone said had just come back from the countryside was a total powerhouse. She was a diamond in the rough. He was already thinking how amazing it would be to have her on their team. And if she agreed... well, he wouldn’t even mind being her boyfriend.

Neil just shrugged, acting like it was no big deal. “You’re all together anyway, so it’s a tie. Seems fair to me.”

“You are unbelievable,” someone snapped.

Lydia just laughed, cold and sharp. “Trying to weasel out of your own bet?”

Neil lifted his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, this is the best way out for everyone, right? If you want, we can even be friends.”

He was already picturing it. If Lydia joined his crew, no one would be able to touch them.

“In your dreams. I don’t make friends with trash,” Lydia replied, her voice dripping with disdain as she looked him up and down.

Neil clenched his jaw, frustrated.

Lydia’s eyes were icy. “A bet’s a bet. If you lose to me, you keep your promise. And since you cheated against them, your win doesn’t count. You owe them an apology and you’re covering their medical bills.”

Lydia didn’t even blink. “So you want to fight now?”

Chris stepped in front of her, blocking their path. “Neil, really? Picking on a girl? If you want a fight, take it up with me.”

He wasn’t going to stand by and let Neil keep acting like a jerk.

Chris' friends, Garnet and Cooper, moved in too, forming a solid wall in front of Lydia. No way were they letting outsiders act tough on their own turf. This had gone on long enough. Tonight, no matter how messy it got, they were going to put Neil and his crew in their place.

Neil just laughed, his arrogance on full display. “Looks like it’s been too long since we had some real fun. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

He barely finished speaking when Lydia took a step forward, slipping out from behind Chris. Before anyone could process what was happening, she was already there. Her fist shot out, connecting with Neil’s jaw in a crack that echoed through the night.