Chapter 20: Sister-In-Law Is Awesome

Alicia’s car was still trailing behind, time ticking away, but Andy’s face remained unreadable. He didn’t look the slightest bit concerned.

Kennedy, who hadn’t been watching, complained, “Big Brother, I secretly hired a professional racer to compete with James. He wouldn’t have won if you hadn’t told Sister-in-law to race.”

“Look at the screen,” Andy replied curtly.

“I don—”

Kennedy’s words died in his throat as he saw Alicia effortlessly blow past the car ahead. Her speed kept climbing even as she took bend after bend, and what stunned him most was how cleanly she drifted through a tight corner.

“Woooooo!” Kennedy yelled, eyes wide. He turned to Andy with a huge grin. “Big Brother, you didn’t tell me you secretly hired a racer!”

He gave Andy a thumbs-up, but Andy frowned. “She isn’t a racer. She’s your sister-in-law.”

Kennedy didn’t dare contradict him. He nodded rapidly. “Yes, yes—Sister-in-law.”

If Andy didn’t want to admit he’d hired a racer pretending to be his fiancée, Kennedy wouldn’t expose him. That’s what brothers were for.

While he was still mulling it over, the final lap came into view. Alicia was closing fast on James. Kennedy’s fists clenched so tightly the veins on his forehead bulged. “Faster! Faster! You can do it, Sister-in-law!”

His knuckles turned white from tension, but Andy sat calmly in his wheelchair, certain Alicia would cross the line first.

Kennedy couldn’t bear to look. He squeezed his eyes shut, silently begging Alicia to overtake James.

“She won,” Andy said, matter-of-fact.

Kennedy peeked through his fingers. Alicia had already climbed out of Andy’s sports car. She pulled off her helmet and shook her hair loose, cool and breathtaking.

He glanced up at the leaderboard—Andy’s car had finished first. He sprang up, shouting, “Sister-in-law is awesome! Sister-in-law is the best! She’s the mightiest!”

He took off at a run, not even sparing Andy a word. Andy frowned, tapped the side of his wheelchair, and it moved forward on its own.

Kennedy rushed up to Alicia and threw his arms wide for a hug, but she stopped him with a palm against his forehead.

“I don’t like being hugged by others,” Alicia said evenly.

Kennedy cleared his throat, face flushed with excitement. Words tumbled out. “Sister-in-law, you’re incredible—you’re such a good racer! You’re awesome! You didn’t just kick ass—you know how to deliver a real surprise!”

Andy’s expression darkened. He shot Kennedy a displeased look; his cousin had become quite the flatterer lately, and his fawning over Andy’s future wife was getting a bit much.

James had just stepped out of his car when he spotted Alicia and Andy standing with Kennedy. His face darkened. A glance at the all-time leaderboard showed he was still in second place. He ground his teeth, simmering with annoyance, then snapped at Alicia, “How much did they pay you to keep me from topping that cripple? I’ll pay you double.”

“Sore loser,” Kennedy mocked. “You lost, and now you’re hunting for excuses. The race is over—go cry to your mama.”

James glared at him as if he could swallow him whole, but Kennedy didn’t flinch. Instead, he turned around and wiggled his butt at James.

James was so furious he tried to speak, but nothing came out. His cheeks swelled with pent-up rage.

Andy rubbed his forehead, exasperated by his cousin’s behavior. He turned to Alicia. “Let’s go.”

“Okay,” she said, immediately falling into step beside him.

They left. Kennedy, too absorbed in taunting James, didn’t notice until they were already gone. He spun around and sprinted after them, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Big brother! Sister-in-law!”

He caught up, panting, and blurted, “Sister-in-law, why don’t you come every Saturday to compete? There’s a lot of prize money to win.”

“Boring,” Alicia replied, unfazed.

Kennedy’s eyes went wide. “You could win up to a million dollars if you show up every Saturday for a month!”

Andy glanced at Alicia, curious, but she only shrugged. “Too tiring.”

A smile tugged at Andy’s lips. He shot Kennedy a warning look. “Don’t pester my wife.”

Then he turned back to Alicia, his eyes softening. “Let’s go, my love.”

They climbed into his car. Andy drove her home, dropped her off, and then headed out.

At dinner that night, Winnie and her mother were restless. They had tried to get into the basement, but it was impossible. They even ordered the servants to break down the door, yet each time they tried, they were hurled backward by some unseen force. No one could explain it. The harder they pushed, the farther they flew.

Beatrice raised the matter with practiced nonchalance. “Alex, dear, your daughter Alicia is quite impressive. The servants say she cleared out the basement and is probably conducting some excellent research down there—but unfortunately, no one knows what she’s actually doing.”

Alexander turned to Alicia, who ate calmly, as if she hadn’t heard a word. “My daughter, is this true?” he asked.

“Yes,” Alicia replied.

To Beatrice’s disappointment, Alexander simply nodded and said nothing more. Growing impatient, she pressed, “Aren’t you curious about what she’s doing in the basement?”

“No,” Alexander answered evenly. “I’m not.”

Beatrice and Winnie clenched their teeth, visibly upset by his obvious bias toward Alicia. Then Beatrice brightened, changing tactics. “Alex, dear, your birthday is on Saturday. I took it upon myself to prepare a dress for Catherine. Guess what?”