Soon after the evidence was submitted, the team announced the penalties for Ivan, Sam, and Jamie.
Ivan had deliberately loosened the wheel nuts. He received a demerit, but since he had been coerced, he was given a chance to make amends. He would now handle tire installation in the mechanical department, and his prize money from this race would be withheld.
Sam had coerced his subordinate and engaged in illegal dealings with Jamie. Both were expelled from Stonegate Racing Team with lifetime bans, handed over to the authorities, and publicly reprimanded at the national intensive training camp.
As Sam and Jamie were led away, many team members came out to watch. Jamie shot Noelle a look full of hatred. Noelle crossed her arms and met his gaze without fear. Jamie gritted his teeth in fury as he was escorted away.
Whispers rose behind her. "Noelle's too ruthless! Even if Jamie did something wrong, she didn't have to kick him out! He can never race again, and he's going to jail!"
Noelle turned around to face the gossiping staff. They were from logistics and usually close to Cassandra and Jody.
She gave a faint smile. "Do you want to go to jail with him too?"
One of the staff, Billy Dawson, immediately fell silent, but defiance lingered in his eyes.
Noelle firmly said, "If any of you support harming your teammates for no reason, step forward right now! Stonegate Racing Team doesn't need sly, vicious people like that!"
She stepped closer to Billy. "If Norland's people hadn't helped that day, my car would have been forced off the track and then rolled. It could have even caught fire. Tell me—if it were you, would you forgive the person who tried to hurt you and then act as if nothing happened?'"
Billy froze, avoiding Noelle's gaze.
"I'm no saint, and I won't let misplaced compassion make me forgive people who hurt me," Noelle said coldly. "But we are a team! When I take the wheel on the track, I'm not racing just for myself—I'm representing all of you."
Her gaze swept across the crowd. "We carry our nation's honor and the hopes of millions. If we get divided because of people like him, then let me be clear—anyone who supports Jamie's actions is not only foolish but just as vicious as he is!


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