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.”

saying if I won, he’d let me join his team. He’s ten years older than me, and

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 on my studies. At first,

her, but she had to admit, there weren’t many people in Rivera who could out-earn the Esper family.

persuaded to return to school. Connecting the dots, Grace

coat and didn’t respond directly. She only told

didn’t notice Grace’s shift in mood.

friend called. “Where are you? It’s late, and the race starts in a few hours. Why aren’t you here for a final test

to Keegan and the hope he’d given his

“Are you serious? We’ve been planning this for ages, and now you’re backing out? What’s going on? Did

wasted a lot of time and

You failed three courses last semester, and now you want to buckle down? Your family’s loaded—what’s the point? Quit joking and get over here. There’s a million-dollar prize. We’ve got it all planned out. Don’t

adrenaline junkies. The prize money was tempting, but it was never about the money for Joe. His family had plenty. He joined the race for

struck a nerve. Joe had thought they shared a passion for racing, but now he saw some of them were in it solely for the

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

motivations. He’d chosen the wrong path and the wrong friends. Their dreams

participating in these races anymore.