Ariana swung herself onto the horse with ease, her foot in the stirrup and reins in hand, her movements were seamless and impressive.
She nodded to the staff member, who then stepped away.
Ariana first rode the horse around the track at a slow pace to get comfortable, then suddenly picked up speed.
Her riding skills were impeccable and she moved with grace and confidence, her red silhouette dashed across the field, embodying freedom and spirit!
"Beautiful!" James couldn't help but clap and cheer.
Claire was seething with jealousy, she had hoped Ariana would embarrass herself, but instead, she stole the spotlight.
She glanced at Lucas, who was watching intently, although his face was hidden behind a mask, James' reaction made it clear that Lucas was also impressed by Ariana.
Claire couldn't let this happen!
After three laps, Ariana gradually slowed the horse down.
Just then, a waiter approached with a tray of refreshments, Claire's eyes lit up with an idea, she lifted her dress slightly and walked towards the waiter in her heels.
The waiter bent down, ready to place the drinks from the tray onto the table, when Claire suddenly let out an "Oops!" and pretended to trip, pushing the waiter forward.
The waiter stumbled and was sent sprawling into the horse arena.
The tray and its contents went flying.
Just then, Ariana rode by on horseback, the horse, startled, reared up with a loud neigh!
Ariana quickly gripped the reins tightly, nearly falling off!
The horse didn't stop but instead began a wild, uncontrollable gallop!
Lucas shot to his feet.
James jumped up too, exclaiming, "This is bad!"
Everyone knew that sudden scares were the worst thing in a horse arena!
In severe cases, it could be deadly.
The horse was out of control and Ariana's strength was waning, she tried to calm the horse, but it wouldn't listen.
"Get the horse trainer!" James urgently instructed.
If Ariana fell, she could be trampled to death!
Claire watched the scene with a smug satisfaction, thinking, fall, fall, fall!
At that moment, Lucas suddenly dashed into the arena.
James was terrified. "Lucas, are you crazy?"
As the horse galloped wildly, Lucas suddenly grabbed the reins with lightning speed and leaped onto its back, Ariana was already losing her balance, half hanging off the horse.
Lucas reached out and pulled her back onto the horse, helping her regain her balance.
But the horse, a small Quarter Horse, was struggling with the weight of two people.
Its speed had decreased, but it showed no signs of stopping.
Lucas tried to calm the horse, but it was uncontrollable, still running with all its might.
Ariana was barely holding on.
"Jump off!" Lucas commanded.
For a moment, Ariana was stunned by the voice—it was familiar.
But there was no time to think.
Jumping off was indeed the only option.
She adjusted her position and leaped off, rolling several times before coming to a stop.
Lucas also jumped down.
As he landed, his mask fell off his face!
Claire stared intently, eager to catch a glimpse of him.
But the dust was too thick, obscuring her view.
By the time it settled, he had already picked up the mask from the ground and put it back on.
Only then did the horse trainer come over and quickly tame the horse.
Ariana struggled to stand up as James rushed over, "are you okay?"
Blood was seeping through Ariana's white pants.
"You're bleeding!" James exclaimed. "Quick, call the shuttle to take her to the health room!"
Upon hearing this, Lucas hurried over, taking large strides and scooped Ariana up in his arms.
Ariana was startled.
Through the mask, she could barely see his eyes and from her angle, they weren't fully visible.
They were bright, deep, and captivating, like a vortex.
In that instant, Ariana imagined an incredibly handsome face.
Just for a moment, Ariana wondered if she was being silly.
Work was a priority!
Lucas carried Ariana out of the place and quickly placed her onto the shuttle as it arrived.
Claire saw this and stomped her foot in frustration!
She had wanted to embarrass Ariana, but instead, it gave Ariana and Lucas a chance to get closer.
Unwilling to let it go, Claire immediately tried to chase after them,
but James blocked her path.
"Miss Summer, we seem to hit it off, how about a drink together? you looked a bit shaken earlier and your makeup is a bit smudged."
Claire instinctively touched her face.
"Let's get to know each other, maybe become friends? I really enjoy making friends with beautiful women like you."
Claire was flattered and the man in front of her was quite handsome too.
Anyone associated with Lucas was likely to be wealthy and influential.
Claire quickly changed her strategy, if she could build a good relationship with James and secure a deal through him, it might be a great opportunity.
"Okay."
She took one last glance in the direction Ariana had left, thinking that someone of Ariana's status wouldn't catch Lucas' interest.
In the infirmary, the doctor noticed Ariana's pants were stained with blood.
"Miss, you'll need to take off your pants so I can check the wound."
Lucas nodded and immediately stepped out of the room.
Ariana had a long scratch on her calf, likely from jumping down and accidentally getting cut on something.
"The wound isn't deep, no need for stitches, just disinfect it and you'll be fine, but if you're worried, you can visit the hospital for a check-up."
Hearing this from outside the door, Lucas sighed in relief and then left.
The doctor cleaned Ariana's wound, applied some medicine and bandaged it up.
Ariana was in a bit of a dilemma, her knight costume pants were too tight and now they were covered in dirt and blood, making them impossible to wear again.
The doctor, a young woman, noticed Ariana's predicament.
"Do you have any friends around? did you come here alone?"
Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock on the door, the doctor opened it and brought in a change of clothes.
"Miss Summer, there's a man outside with some clothes for you," the nurse announced.
Ariana was puzzled. Who would bring her clothes?
It turned out to be a dress, with an injury on her leg, wearing pants would cause friction, but a dress was perfect.
After changing into the dress, she found it fit her perfectly, as if it was tailored just for her.
Stepping out of the infirmary, she noticed a man waiting outside.
"Hello, Miss Summer, I'm Thomas, Mr. Firestone's assistant."
"Hello, you're the one who brought the clothes, right? thank you so much."
"It was Mr. Firestone who asked me to bring them."
"Thank Mr. Firestone for saving my life and I'd like to thank him in person if time allows."