Chapter 50 How About We Have a Race
Jake froze instantly, his deep gaze fixed on Gwen. He remained silent, maintaining a cold demeanor.
She was stunning and completely unpredictable. He couldn’t read her at all. Her questions felt like traps. One wrong move, and he’d find himself in a downward spiral.
He had to question whether there were still lingering feelings between them. However, he did regret ending their marriage too soon.
Gwen lowered her gaze with a faint smile. Her expression was laced with a hint of coldness. “Ha! It was just a slip of the tongue. A man as heartless as you wouldn’t be bothered by such a trivial past, Mr. Hall.”
She continued, “In business, profit is the priority. I’m sure you know this better than anyone.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Jake’s expression darkened. His cold, oppressive tone sliced through the air,
Unfazed by his cold demeanor, Gwen replied, “Since it’s not our past that’s causing you to reject Savant Group, I suppose what’s missing is a reason to convince you.”
“How about we have a horse race?” she asked.
A stray lock of hair fell across Gwen’s cheek. Her expression remained bold and confident. “If you win, I’ll stop bringing up Savant Group joining the project again. If I win, Hall Group has to let Savant Group join the project.”
Jake had undergone professional horseback riding, training. His skills were on par with professional athletes. But Gwen was confident that she would beat him today.
Ashton, though seemingly neutral, couldn’t hide the bias in his response. “Ms. Lawson has been very clear with her your terms. Her riding skills are impressive too. The only question left seems to be whether you have enough faith in own skills, Mr. Hall.”
Jake frowned slightly, his gaze darkening as he looked at Gwen. “Why should I compete with you?”
Gwen shrugged with an indifferent expression. “Fine. When I leave, I’ll make sure everyone in Bellmont knows that Jake Hall is a coward who’s scared of his ex–wife.”
Her words had pushed him to the edge. He wouldn’t be the Jake she knew if he brushed off her provocation.
His cold voice replied, “Deal.”
Gwen’s red lips curled into a bright smile. “Of course.”
They were competing in a flat race. The race track spanned around one mile. It was approximately three laps around. the field.
From the viewing platform, Jake and Gwen could be seen taking their positions at the starting line.
Gwen chose the same brown Dutch Warmblood horse as before. She squeezed her legs against its sides to steady it.
She glanced sideways at Jake with a bright smile underneath her helmet. “Mr. Hall, are you ready?”
She hadn’t imagined she’d be racing against Jake after their divorce over such an important project. Her excitement rivaled that of her horse, and she was eager for the race.
She was determined to defeat Jake. She wanted to trample on his confidence over her feet, just as he had treated her during their three years of marriage
Jake glanced at her radiant smile. It was a kind of beauty he had never seen before. His eyes narrowed slightly as his. thoughts wandered.
Suddenly, the whistle blew. Gwen’s horse leaped forward, half a step ahead of his.
2
Jake quickly regained focus and urged his horse to catch up.
On the race track, they raced at full speed with one ahead of the other. The sight of the two good–looking riders drew the attention of the people around. Many of them stopped to watch.
Gwen held the lead through the first lap, her horse galloping swiftly.
Jake’s horse followed closely. He overtook her on the second lap.
His sharp, chiseled features remained calm and focused. His muscular figure showed through his shirt when he grasped the horse rope. The sight of him made the onlookers gasp.
As they approached the final was just slightly ahead.
an the two were
neck–to–neck. The tension in the crowd was palpable, but Jake’s horse
