From Zero to Drive

Augustus' face lit up with a faint grin. Wow, that was thrilling and exhilarating, he mused, heart still throbbing.

"She must be some skilled driver, she was really close to winning," Augustus said, looking from the windshield, acknowledging Alexandra's driving skills.

Victor sighed. "We still lost," he muttered, shaking his head. "Come, let me introduce you to your driving teacher," he mumbled and got out of the car.

Augustus gave a surprised look and followed behind.

"Alexandra, you're as fast as ever," Victor complimented.

She glanced, her beautiful, silky red hair flowing effortlessly. "And you're as slow as ever," she nagged with a faint smile because they had just lost a $1,000,000 bet against Tristan, along with honor.

Victor sighed. "Well, sorry, but I didn't start driving at 7 like a certain someone," he taunted and added, "Anyways, meet Augustus. He wants to learn to drive," Victor introduced, gesturing toward Augustus.

Everyone had begun to gather at the finish line. A man stepped forward from his black car. "Alright, come on now, give us our bet money. I don't want to stay with you losers anymore," he mumbled with a smug smile.

She gave a brief glance, then looked at Victor. "Victor, you know I don't waste time on newbies unless they prove they're worth it," she asserted, scanning Augustus.

"Hey, Alexandra, stop wasting our time and give me the money. Once I'm out, you can talk all day," Tristan clarified with a forced smile.

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Task #13:

[×] – Expose Tristan for modifying his black car. Let truth be your fuel.

| Penalty: Your own future wins will feel hollow.

The truth accelerates growth—hide it, and you'll crash before you start.

| Reward: 2% stake in Stewart Institute + Healthy Body

Time Left: 10 Minutes.

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Hmm, exposing him directly might sound weird… he thought and questioned,

"What if I prove I'm worth it?" Augustus asked, stepping forward with a confident smile.

Victor looked puzzled. Alexandra shrugged. "Do it," she said simply.

"That man in the… black car, I'm 100% certain he's cheating," Augustus stated boldly.

A frown appeared on Alexandra's face.

"Hahahahah!" Tristan and his team burst out laughing, but their laughs were laced with unease.

"Alexandra, really? You lose and then bring a newbie to cry foul and make excuses?" Tristan mocked sharply, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

Alexandra and Victor exchanged glances, slightly entertaining the idea, but then shook their heads.

"That's not it. We'll pay you now," she defended with a stiff smile and pulled out her phone to make a call.

"You lost $1,000,000 in a bet, right? I'll bet another $1,000,000 that he was cheating. If I win, you teach me how to drive,"

and I'll also complete the task, he mused and added,

"If I lose, you take the money," he laid out casually. System, you better be right about this.

Alexandra narrowed her eyes, then glanced at Tristan with a faint smirk. "What do you say, Tristan? I'll give you half of that money," she urged with an amused expression.

Tristan's eyes widened. He glanced at Augustus briefly, instinctively stepping back, then stammered, looking at Alexandra.

"L-like I said, I don't have time for this bullshit. Give me my money," he hesitantly mumbled, showing clear annoyance.

"Oh, is that so?" she grumbled and called someone over the phone.

Moments later, four people showed up: two mechanics and two bodyguards with real guns.

Augustus looked at them, his breath hitching. System, you better be right. And just like Augustus, Tristan easily backed away after looking at the guns.

They all moved toward the black car. Two stood guard, and two thoroughly inspected it. A few moments later, "Lady Alexandra, this car is modified with tuned turbos," the mechanic stated.

"Fuck you all. Keep your money, I'm leaving," Tristan barked and got back into his half-opened car.

"Stop," the guards tried stopping him, but Alexandra let them go with a sharp glare. It's not like she could kill him.

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Task #13:

[✓] – Expose Tristan for modifying his black car. Let truth be your fuel.

| Reward: 2% stake in Stewart Institute + Healthy Body

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"Thank you, Augustus," she said, glancing back. "I'll teach you how to drive, and about the fee—let's call it even, since you saved us 1 million," she acknowledged with a beautiful smile.

Augustus furrowed his brows. Wow, so I get to learn for free. Nice. Money saved is money earned, he mused.

"Thank you. I hope to learn quickly so as not to waste your time," he assured with a light smile.

"Oh, you're not as bad as I thought. If you learn quickly, maybe I'll allow you to participate in a race that's happening a month later," she decided.

"Follow me. As you said, let's not waste our time," she concurred and glanced at Victor.

"Thanks, Victor, for bringing him in," she thanked and began walking toward her car.

Augustus glanced at Victor and also nodded at him with a thankful expression. Then he followed behind and reached the emerald green Lamborghini Huracan Evo, which was fully modified.

And just as he was about to sit in the passenger's seat, she gestured for him to take the driver's.

His eyebrows raised, nevertheless, he nodded with a faint smile and sat in the driver's seat.

Damn… am I really learning to drive in a supercar, that too on a private runway, with a gorgeous heiress no less, who also happens to be a pro racer?

He beamed with a bright smile and brushed his fingers across the leather-wrapped steering wheel to get a feel.

Ding!

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Mission #3: Learn How to Drive

[✓] – Get admission into a Driving School.

| Reward: 2x learning speed + compensation for any damages.

Enrollment complete. You showed up—The road to confidence begins with the first ignition.

Time Left: 7 days

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[Still learning for free? You're embarrassing us in front of the rich people.]

System, I've got six figures in trauma, not income. Relax. he said with a low chuckle. Trying not to laugh.

Soon, she took her time to introduce the basics to him and then finally permitted him to turn on the car.

"No, don't keep looking down. Look ahead—your eyes lead the car," she instructed.

Why does it feel like I'm controlling a robot with every part of my body?

"That's it! You're moving! Don't panic, keep it steady."

The car jolted slightly… and shut off.

"How am I supposed to look ahead while managing all these controls?" he muttered, frustration creeping in.

"It's like… I don't know—eating noodles with chopsticks while bouncing on one leg," he added, glancing at Alexandra.

She chuckled. "Haha..

How specific, but it's like that at first. and once it clicks, it becomes smooth—instinctive," she said.

"Still, you moved on your first try. That's more than most. Now let's reset—repeat the same process."

Augustus tilted his head up, taking in the moment, then nodded with a bright smile. "Alright, I'm learning this in a single day," he affirmed, eyes sparkling with conviction.

Six hours flew by—between all the nagging and scolding, he had finally learned how to drive… and involuntarily grown a little closer to Alexandra.

Augustus let out a proud smile.

"Thank you for teaching me wholeheartedly, Alexandra. You're an amazing teacher," he genuinely complimented her, his gaze flickering with warmth.