Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted by Eleven Jewell

Grace said, “Son, as long as you want to study, I will support you, whether it’s for a double degree or even ten degrees! I’m so happy right now. If you’re joking, please tell me, or else I’ll take you seriously!”

Joe smiled and hugged Grace’s arm. “Mom, can’t I truly want to be like my brother and make you proud?”

Grace rubbed his yellow hair affectionately. “I used to be proud of you, but after you dyed your hair yellow, not so much.”

Joe was speechless. “Then I’ll dye it back.”

Grace immediately handed him a card from the hair salon. “Go quickly. It closes at midnight, so there’s still time today.”

Joe was delighted, realizing his mother had been unhappy with his yellow hair for a long time. “Alright, alright, I’ll go now.”

As she handed him his coat and sent him out, Grace asked, “Sweetheart, earlier you mentioned that someone talked to you, and that’s what made you change your mind. Was it your teacher?”

“Not my teacher, but he does like to teach others,” Joe replied. Though, in reality, he was just a crafty liar—an extremely capable one.

Grace was curious. “He just said a few words, and you suddenly saw the light? I’ve talked to you countless times, and nothing changed.”

ten years older than me, and at that moment,

underestimated him. He’s incredibly strong—no, terrifyingly strong! I feel like there’s nothing he can’t do. He wasn’t really trying to recruit me; he just wanted to preach to me, to get me to focus

silent. Joe’s words unintentionally hurt her, but she had to admit, there weren’t many people in Rivera who could out-earn the Esper

persuaded to return to

coat and didn’t respond directly. She only told Joe to come home quickly and not

didn’t notice Grace’s shift in mood. He cheerfully agreed and

race starts in

of nostalgia, but when he remembered his promise to Keegan and the hope he’d given his mother, he resisted. “I’m not going tonight.

friend was shocked. “Are you serious? We’ve been planning this for ages, and now you’re backing out? What’s going on? Did your family shut you down? Where are you? I can get

Joe replied softly, “I just don’t see the point anymore. I’ve wasted a lot of time and

loaded—what’s the point? Quit joking and get over here. There’s a million-dollar prize. We’ve got it all planned

prize money was tempting, but it was never about the money for Joe.

for racing, but now he saw some of them were in

motivations differed from his own. For some, racing was a dangerous shortcut to wealth. He’d heard stories about illegal races where drivers risked their lives, betting everything for a big payout. He was shocked at first, but his teammates spoke of it casually, as if it

Keegan meant about goals and motivations. He’d chosen the

clarity, Joe said, “I’m serious. I won’t be participating in these races anymore. You should avoid them too—one wrong move,