บททั้งหมดของ The Billionaire Racer I Kissed : บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

Clara walked into Devereaux Headquarters with a lighter step than she'd had in weeks.For the first time since joining the company, she wasn't checking over her shoulder every few minutes or wondering if another anonymous message would appear on her phone. The silence felt peaceful.She stepped into her office, set her handbag on the desk and placed her laptop beside it before letting out a slow breath.A knock sounded on the door."Come in."Sophie and Julien entered together, each carrying a tablet."Morning, boss."Clara smiled faintly."Morning. Tell me you two have good news."Julien grinned."I think you'll like this."He placed his tablet on her desk."The company's official account gained over forty thousand followers after yesterday's campaign."Sophie swiped to another page."And Mr. Devereaux's personal account is doing even better. Engagement is almost triple what we projected."Clara scanned the figures. It was exactly what she'd been hoping for."The audience likes the b

By the time Clara had been living on the Devereaux estate for several days, she'd discovered something she hadn't expected.The house was beautiful. The estate was peaceful.And Matteo Devereaux was still capable of ruining her mood without even being in the same room.Her morning had started perfectly.She'd gone for her run before sunrise, returned home, showered, answered a few emails and spent almost an hour reviewing the social media strategy for Devereaux Racing's upcoming season.It was the kind of work she enjoyed. Controlled and predictable. Something she could fix with enough research and a decent strategy.Then her phone rang. She looked at the screen. Matteo.Clara stared at it for two seconds before answering."Good morning to you too."There was a pause."You're late."Her eyebrows shot up."I'm sorry?""You're supposed to be here."Clara looked at the time on her phone.It was barely eight."I've been working.""Then bring your laptop."The call ended.Clara lowered the

A few days later, Clara found herself standing in front of a wall of cameras, smiling beside a man who had perfected the art of looking like he had no interest in being there.Matteo. Of course.She adjusted the folder in her hands and glanced toward the entrance of the venue.Elena had arrived.And judging by the way she was walking toward them, Clara already knew this wasn't going to be a quiet appearance."Clara."Elena's smile was bright as she approached."Hi."Clara returned the greeting professionally.Elena turned toward Matteo."Sorry I'm late."Matteo checked his watch."You're seven minutes late."The smile on Elena's face faltered for half a second."Seven?""Yes."Clara bit the inside of her cheek.Elena recovered quickly."Well, at least you noticed."She stepped closer and reached up to straighten the lapel of Matteo's suit.Clara's fingers tightened around her folder.She shouldn't care. This was work. Elena was his fake girlfriend. That was literally the arrangement.

The announcement came on a Tuesday morning.Clara knew because Matteo had decided that informing the public about his retirement from active racing was apparently something that required everyone else to rearrange their lives around him.By eight-thirty, she was already in a conference room with the social media team, legal representatives, Luca, and three people from the racing division.By nine, she had revised the announcement twice. By nine-fifteen, Matteo walked in. The room quieted.He didn't acknowledge it. He took the seat at the head of the table and placed his phone beside him."Let's hear it."Clara slid the printed statement across the table."This is the version we're releasing."Matteo picked it up. His eyes moved over the first paragraph.Clara watched him carefully. The statement was straightforward.Matteo Devereaux, one of the most recognisable names in international racing, would be stepping back from active competition earlier than previously anticipated. His decis

By the following afternoon, Clara had stopped being surprised by bad news.Annoyed, yes.Surprised, no.The first article had been followed by three more. Then five.By lunchtime, the internet had apparently decided that Matteo Devereaux's retirement was everyone's personal business.Clara sat at her desk with her laptop open, one hand wrapped around a cup of coffee she hadn't remembered to drink.Her screen refreshed. Another headline appeared.MATTEO DEVEREAUX CHOOSES MONEY OVER RACINGClara's fingers tightened around the cup."You've got to be kidding me."Across the room, Sophie looked up from her laptop."Another one?"Clara turned the screen toward her. Sophie read the headline and groaned."They're getting creative.""Creative?"Clara set the coffee down with a little more force than necessary."This is not creative. This is lazy."Sophie rolled her chair closer."Read the second paragraph."Clara scrolled. Her expression changed."Sources close to the racing industry suggest D