NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Shadow of Revenge
The Night Breeze
The night breeze brushed against Lana's face as she stood on the small balcony of her apartment. The echoes of the cheering crowd from the previous race still lingered in her ears. Even though she had defeated Kyron, his threats continued to haunt her thoughts.
"I'm not afraid," Lana murmured, trying to convince herself. But deep down, she knew the real battle was just beginning.
From the corner of the room, her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number appeared:
"Congratulations on your win, Lana. But remember, no victory comes without consequences. We're always watching."
The message sent a chill down her spine. The mafia wasn't just threatening her directly—they were now invading her personal life.
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At the Garage
The next day, Lana returned to the garage where her old car was being repaired. Vera and a few friends were busy with minor fixes after the race, but the atmosphere was quieter than usual.
"Lana, there's something you need to know," Vera said, wiping her hands clean of oil. "I did some digging on Kyron and his gang. They're not just into racing—they're involved in major operations with cross-city mafia networks."
Lana stepped closer, her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"That gang is connected to your mother's accident. They're the ones responsible for everything."
Lana's heart stopped for a moment. Flashbacks of the tragic accident that had changed her life resurfaced—the day she lost the mother who had always supported her.
"How do you know this?" Lana asked, her voice trembling.
"I got hold of some old documents from one of your father's contacts," Vera explained. "There's evidence the crash was intentional. They were after something your family had, but I don't know what yet."
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A Growing Threat
That night, a new threat emerged. Their garage was attacked by masked men who destroyed equipment and attempted to steal Lana's car. Fortunately, her friends managed to fend them off. One of the men left a chilling message scrawled on the garage wall:
"Stop, or you'll regret it."
Anger flared within Lana. This wasn't just about racing anymore—it was about her family's honor and uncovering the truth behind the mysteries of her life.
"I'm not running away," Lana said firmly to her team. "I'll face them, no matter what."
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A New Plan
Lana decided it was time to step up her game. She knew that to take on Kyron and the mafia, she needed more than just courage. Together with Vera and her team, they began planning to rebuild her car, making it faster and tougher than ever.
But the plan came with risks. They needed additional sponsors and funding, which meant Lana had to put herself under even greater media scrutiny.
At the same time, Lana started digging into her family's history, trying to uncover why the mafia was so interested in her. She stumbled upon a shocking revelation: her mother had been a secret racer working for a certain organization. One of her mother's greatest enemies was the same mafia now targeting Lana.
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The Decisive Race
The next major race was at a track known as the Inferno Circuit, infamous for its gravity traps. Kyron was once again Lana's main rival, and this time, the mafia raised the stakes—they aimed to destroy her physically and mentally.
When race day arrived, Lana stepped onto the track with a mix of determination and dread. Her car, though heavily modified, still paled in comparison to Kyron's futuristic vehicle. But Lana knew one thing: this race wasn't just about speed. It was about courage and strategy.
The race began with explosive intensity. Kyron and Lana clashed at every turn, each trying to outmaneuver the other. Midway through the race, traps activated—clear sabotage aimed directly at Lana.
"I won't lose!" Lana shouted, skillfully maneuvering her car through the chaos with incredible precision.
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The Plot Twist
On the final lap, just as Lana was about to cross the finish line, something unexpected happened. Kyron, her long-standing nemesis, suddenly stopped his car and let her pass.
The crowd was stunned, and Lana herself was baffled. After crossing the finish line, she got out of her car and stared at Kyron, who stood with an intense expression.
"What are you doing?" Lana asked, her voice filled with confusion.
Kyron met her gaze, his eyes cold. "This isn't over, Lana. I'm playing the long game. You'd better be ready for the next round."
His threat made Lana's victory feel hollow. She knew the real war was just beginning.