Chapter 107: How does defeat taste?
Behind her, Elias had completely forgotten about the race.
’Winning doesn’t matter. I have to calm him first.’
Ignoring the pain shooting through his fingers and arms, he continued trying to steady the frightened horse.
Several tense moments later, the stallion’s breathing gradually slowed. Its frantic movements weakened until it finally stood still.
Elias let out a long breath of relief.
"Good boy," he murmured, gently rubbing its neck.
By then, Vivian had already crossed the finish line.
"I won," she shouted at the top of her lungs. "Elias, you lost."
There was no limit to her excitement. "I’m finally the winner."
Elias paid no attention to her celebration. He quickly dismounted and carefully examined the horse.
"What happened?"
As his hand moved down its hind leg, he noticed a swollen spot.
"What is it?" His eyes narrowed. "It looks like something hit him."
The horse flinched the instant he touched it.
Realization struck him almost immediately. Someone had deliberately injured the horse.
His expression darkened.
"Vivian..." He gritted his teeth.
"What, Elias?" Vivian called smugly, still reveling in her victory. "How does defeat taste?"
Elias slowly lifted his head. His blood boiled at the sight of her arrogant smile.
Still mounted on her white horse, she looked down at him proudly.
"I told you... I’m not the same rider I used to be. You can’t beat me anymore."
"You did something to my horse," Elias growled. "You used a dirty trick to win."
Vivian burst into laughter. "Seriously, Elias? You can’t accept defeat, so now you are making accusations?"
She shrugged dismissively. "Just admit you lost."
"I know you did something," Elias barked. "My horse wouldn’t have suddenly lost control in the middle of the race for no reason."
Her smile instantly faded. "Don’t slander me without proof," she hissed.
Almost unconsciously, she yanked hard on the reins. The white horse tossed its head and shifted uneasily, clearly disturbed by her rough handling.
It let out a restless neigh and pawed the ground.
Vivian ignored it completely. "What could I possibly have done to your horse? I was focused on the race."
The horse tried to move again, but she jerked the reins back even harder.
"If your horse got frightened by something, that’s hardly my problem." She sneered. "Maybe you are the one who mishandled the poor animal and made it lose control."
Elias clenched his jaw. He was certain Vivian had injured the horse. But certainty wasn’t proof.
Without evidence, accusing her would accomplish nothing.
Vivian smiled victoriously. "You lost the race. And now you owe me dinner."
Before Elias could answer, Elena’s panicked cry echoed across the riding ground.
"Elias."
Elias turned toward the familiar voice. The moment he saw Elena running toward him, his entire body tensed. Without another thought, he ran to meet her.
"Elena."
The instant they reached each other, she threw herself into his arms. He caught her effortlessly, wrapping both arms around her as if afraid she might disappear.
Her petite body fit perfectly against his broad chest.
Vivian’s hands clenched around the reins tightly. Jealousy, anger, and hatred blazed in her eyes.
’This should have been my moment with Elias. Why did she have to come and ruin everything?’
Every fiber of her being screamed at her to drag Elena away from him and empty every bullet in the pistol into her.
’If only those had been real bullets, I would kill her right here.’
Her eyes darkened with murderous hatred.
Completely oblivious to Vivian’s burning gaze, Elias and Elena remained locked in each other’s embrace. Neither cared about the people around them, nor did they care who was watching.
For those few moments, only the two of them existed.
"Why did you run all the way here?" Elias asked softly.
He cupped her face and searched her eyes. His heart tightened the moment he noticed the tears shimmering in them.
"Why are you crying?" He gently wiped away the tears sliding down her cheeks.
Elena held his hand and leaned into his warm palm. Closing her eyes briefly, she took a shaky breath before looking at him again.
"I saw everything," she whispered hoarsely. "I saw the horse lose control."
Her voice trembled. "I thought..."
She couldn’t finish the sentence.
The fear of losing him still lingered in her heart.
Elias immediately pulled her back into his embrace. "I’m alright," he murmured, gently stroking her hair. "Nothing happened. I managed to calm him down."
Elena looked up at him with watery eyes. "But you almost fell. It was so scary."
Before Elias could reply, Vivian moved her horse closer to them with an arrogant smile.
"Anyone who knows nothing about horseback riding would panic like this," she said dismissively. "For experienced riders, it was nothing more than a minor mishap. And you are acting like your whole world is about to collapse."
She laughed mockingly. "Ridiculous."
"Vivian..." Elias warned coldly.
Before he could say anything else, Elena lightly tugged at his hand. She stepped forward, meeting Vivian’s eyes without backing down.
"Elias is my world," she said firmly. "Of course, I’m worried about him."
Elias froze. His heart skipped a beat. ’I’m... her world?’
Warmth spread uncontrollably through his chest. He had never imagined he meant that much to her.
Elena continued calmly, "He came here to enjoy himself." She stared directly at Vivian. "You are the one who provoked him into racing. You put him in danger."
Vivian’s face darkened. "What?" She scoffed. "Are you blaming me?"
"I’m telling the truth." Elena didn’t lower her gaze. "Your provocation could have gotten him seriously injured. You should apologize."
"Apologize?" Vivian barked. "I didn’t force him. He accepted the challenge himself. If he couldn’t control his horse, how is that my responsibility? Stop being childish. Just because he lost doesn’t mean you get to blame me."
"It’s not about blaming you." Elena’s voice remained steady. "It’s about his safety. He could have been badly hurt."
Vivian snorted. "He lost control of his horse. How is that my fault?"
"You—" Before Elena could continue, Elias stepped forward.
"If you are not responsible, then who is?" His voice turned dangerously cold.
Vivian’s heartbeat skipped. ’What does he mean? Did he somehow find out I shot his horse?’
She shook her head lightly. ’Impossible.’
She had made sure no one saw her.
Elias had been completely focused on the race. There was no way he could know.
She silently convinced herself to remain calm. The trace of panic disappeared from her face.
"What are you talking about?" she snapped. "I didn’t do anything."
"Really?" Elias let out a cold snort. "I know exactly why a horse loses control." He looked straight into her eyes. "And I found swelling on its hind leg. It wasn’t there before. You did something. You tricked me to win the race."
Elena gasped. "What?" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You hurt the horse on purpose?"
"No." Panic flashed across Vivian’s face before she forced herself to remain stubborn. "You have no proof. Stop making ridiculous accusations."
"I don’t need proof," Elias said with absolute calmness. "I know you did it. Besides you, who else would?"