Chapter 16: Problem Solved?

As Adrian stormed off, his rage still thick in the air, Nova straightened up, his eyes narrowing as he watched Dante, who stood still, not showing any sign of retreat.

A tense silence lingered for a moment before Nova finally spoke.

“You know, I didn’t come here for a pissing contest,” Nova said, his voice smooth, but laced with challenge. “But if you want to make it interesting, I’m all in.”

Dante raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “Interesting?”

“Let’s just race.” Nova said, his eyes locking onto Dante’s with a knowing gleam. “Get this over with. I can’t be here all night.”

Dante didn’t flinch. “A race then,” he said, almost as if it was an afterthought. “But I’m not sure you’re up for this.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. Let’s go with twice the money you’ve just put up and all the cars.” His voice was steady, the calmness in contrast to the storm brewing behind his eyes.

Dante raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the quick acceptance. He studied Nova for a moment, his sharp gaze assessing the younger man’s demeanor.

“You’ve got some balls. Fine. The cars and the cash. We’ll see if you can back up that cocky mouth of yours.”

Nova’s gaze didn’t waver. He could practically feel the strings tightening around Dante, tightening the trap.

He kept his composure, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes, a silent victory that he had been waiting for.

Just as Dante opened his mouth to set the race. He caught the slight shift in Nova’s expression for a split second before returning to calm.

It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make Dante pause for a brief moment. Feeling a bad premonition creeping in him.

Dante studied him a moment longer, then shook his head, dismissing the odd moment. “Whatever. Fine. Deal’s set. Cars, money. We’ll settle this on the track.”

Nova gave a slow nod, his expression calm and unreadable… except for the faint gleam of satisfaction in his bluish-white eyes that Dante didn’t catch.

As Dante turned to his crew, making his way to the race track below.

Nova lingered for just a second longer, watching his retreating figure with a smirk curling at the corner of his lips.

He had what he came for. The race? The money? None of it mattered. The real victory had already been secured.

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Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode toward the elevator.

“Forget about the money, let’s get out of here.”

Joel blinked. “What? But the race? All that money, man! We’re just leaving it?!”

Nova didn’t slow his pace, stepping into the elevator with an air of complete indifference. “We’re not losing anything.” He leaned back against the wall, his smirk deepening as the doors began to close.

“I got everything I wanted.”

And more.

…..

The ride from the race track was tense. The air inside the car felt suffocating with Dante’s simmering rage.

Dante sat in the back seat, legs spread out, arms resting on his thighs as he stared out the window. His fingers slowly drummed against his knee.

“Bastard played me.” The words were muttered under his breath, quiet but edged with frustration.

His jaw clenched, his mind replaying the scene over and over.

That damn smirk!

That look in Nova’s eyes.

Like he had won before the race even started.

Dante scoffed, running a hand through his hair before gripping the back of his neck, as if trying to ground himself. "Thinks he can just do anything he wants, huh?"

One of his men, sitting in the front passenger seat, hesitated before speaking. "We could just…”

"Shut up!"

The car went silent again.

Dante exhaled sharply through his nose, staring at the city lights flashing past the window. His thoughts were a storm. Nova didn’t just walk away from this. He can feel it, he had done something.

Something Dante didn’t realize he had lost until it was too late.

He reached into his jacket, pulling out his phone, scrolling absentmindedly.

Then, it rang.

Dante glanced at the screen. Seeing the caller’s name, his irritation flared.

With a click, he answered anyway, pressing the phone to his ear. “What.”

Dante leaned back against the seat, phone pressed to his ear, his fingers tapping impatiently on his thigh. The low hum of the car engine and the distant noise of the city outside barely registered.

On the other end, Adrian let out a scoff. “So… I heard about what happened after I left.”

His voice carried its usual arrogance, but there was a hint of hesitation. “Let me guess, that Nova pulled one over on you?”

Dante didn’t reply.

Adrian chuckled awkwardly hearing no reply. “Figured. That bastard's got a mouth on him. Acting like he’s some big shot, like he belongs in the same level as me.”

His tone turned sharper, more condescending. “Just another street rat pretending to be something more.”

Dante remained silent, letting Adrian talk.

“You should’ve humiliated him,” Adrian continued, voice laced with irritation. “People like him don’t deserve to walk away like that. He’s getting too bold. Too confident. Someone needs to remind him of his place.”

Dante exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. “What do you want, Dennario?”

A short pause. Then Adrian got to the point.

“You have to keep tabs on him,” Adrian said, his voice smoother now, calculated. “I want to find out what he knows. Where he gets his information. What he does.”

A slow exhale followed. “He’s a problem, Dante. And I don’t like problems.”

Dante let out a low, sharp laugh, shaking his head. “Do you think I’m some dog you can order around?"

His smirk faded slightly, eyes narrowing. “He knows something, doesn’t he?”

Adrian went silent. Just for a second. Then, “He’s just annoying.” The words were too quick, too dismissive. “And I want him handled.”

Dante’s expression became colder. “Handled, huh?”

His voice dropped a degree. “I won’t just have someone keep him in check.” His fingers curled slightly, his mind already forming his next steps. “I’ll make sure he won’t be a problem anymore.”

Adrian exhaled slowly. “Good.”

The call should’ve ended there. But after a few seconds of silence, Adrian spoke again, this time in a more measured tone.

"There's another matter," he said. "My father wants to ensure that plans for the Webbing family are progressing smoothly."