Chapter 371
Cynthia and Yannison set about selecting their mounts. The latter had the advantage of having his own horse on the premises, a striking black- brown Ferghana borse with a hustrous coat and a commanding presence that seemed to radiate strength and confidence. It was often said that a good horse could be a significant advantage in a race, even if the rider wasn’t particularly skilled.
Observing Yannison’s choice, Cynthia did not rush her selection. She wandered around the stable, pausing to examine each horse, occasionally reaching out to stroke or pat one, searching for the right one. After about ten minutes, she had yet to find a horse that met her standards. The remaining horses, though gentle enough for casual riding, lacked the vigor required for competitive racing. Just as Cynthia was about to reconsider her options, a robust neighing sound echoed from a small building not far from the stable. Her interest piqued, Cynthia’s eyes brightened, and she made her way toward the source of the sound. Yannison immediately intervened, “Not that horse.”
Cynthia stopped, looking puzzled. “Why, aren’t we free to choose any horse here?”
Yannison explained, trying to dissuade her, “Mrs. Sullivan, please don’t misunderstand; I’m not being petty. It’s just that this particular horse was only recently purchased and hasn’t been fully tamed yet. It might be dangerous.
Cynthia’s resolve only strengthened at this revelation. A challenging horse was precisely what she was looking for. She quickened her pace toward the building, and as she drew nearer, the calls of the horse grew louder. When the door was finally opened, a magnificent reddish–brown stallion, brighter and seemingly more spirited than Yannison’s horse, was revealed. At the sight of strangers, the horse became visibly agitated, swinging its head vigorously, straining against the rope as if to shake the very foundation of the building.
Cynthia’s eyes sparkled with a mix of challenge and excitement, a look that seemed out of character for her usual demeanor. Ill take this one,” she declared, turning to address the onlookers
The crowd behind her displayed a variety of expressions. Hallet, aware of Cynthia’s capabilities, covertly gave her a thumbs up in approval. Queena, who had experience with horses but none as formidable as this one, felt a twinge of fear and instinctively stepped back into the crowd for safety. While Liam felt a surge of concern, he trusted Cynthia’s judgment and capability. He knew her to be cautious and calculated in her actions. Watching her filled with determination, he softly encouraged her, “Good luck, Cynthia“
Upon hearing Liam’s supportive words, Cynthia flashed a bright, confident smile. Yannison, on the other lund, was beginning to regret his earlier bravado. The potential danger of the situation was not lost on him, and he attempted once more to persuade her to reconsider. “Mrs. Sullivan, you really don’t need to push yourself so hard. Your husband’s rich. It’s not worth risking injury over a small loss.
Cynthia, however, was undeterred. Squinting slightly, she smiled and reassured him, “Thank you, Mr. Merson. I’m well aware of what I’m doing.” she paused, then added pointedly. “Just make sure you don’t go back on your word later. She then signaled for the groom to bring the horse out
The moment the stallion was led out of the building, it began to buck and kick like a wild creature set loose upon the grass. The groom struggled to maintain control. Cynthia quickly approached, “Give it to me.” She confidently took the reins from the groom, tightened her grip, and with an agile leap, mounted the horse before anyone could react. The stallion reared up, attempting to dislodge its new rider with violent jumps, Cynthia, gripping the reins firmly, used her legs to clamp tightly to the horse’s sides, continuously adjusting her balance with each jolt. The horse continued to buck in place for a while, but finding itself unable to throw the rider, it bolted.
It was then that Yannison realized he might have severely underestimated the Clusian woman. He remembered his own brief and unsuccessful attempts to train the horse, which had unseated him within minutes, yet Cynthia seemed to manage with ease. “Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Sullivan is truly formidable,” Yannison commented, acknowledging her skill.
Liam, his gaze fixed on his wife in the distance, ignored the remark, his concern for her safety overshadowing any pride in her prowess. Hallet, ever proud, couldn’t resist boasting, “Exactly, I’ve handled tougher horses when 1 was in junior high. Mr. Merson, winning today might be tougher than you think.”
Yannison responded with a mild smile, “It’s fine. As long as Mrs. Sullivan wins, I will honor our agreement.”
About ten minutes later, Cynthia returned on horseback, but this time the horse’s demeanor was completely transformed. It now responded obediently to her commands, a testament to her skill and determination Yannison approached, curious yet cautious, as the horse snorted and shook its head defiantly at his approach, still showing signs of its wild nature despite its newfound respect for its rider. Had it not been for Yannison’s swift reflexes, he surely would have found himself sprawled on the ground by now. Cynthia quickly tightened the reins to stabilize the situation and explained to him, “Mr. Merson, the stronger a horse is, the more it is inclined to bond with specific individuals. I’ve managed to earn its trust, but you haven’t yet.”
Yannison, nodding in understanding, stepped back, conceding, “All right then. In that case, the horse is yours after the competition, Mrs. Sullivan,”
Cynthia graciously responded, “Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Merson”
With formalities aside, the competition commenced. The contestants lined up at the starting line of the racecourse, poised for the challenge. At the sound of the whistle, both horses burst forward in unison. The animals, being of the same breed, matched each other stride for stride initially, leaving the outcome to hinge on the riders skills. Cynthia, whose equestrian skills were honed in the rugged terrains of the borderlands, held a slight edge over Yannison, whose experience was primarily confined to the controlled environments of racetracks. This slight edge was evident as she completed the circuit two seconds ahead of Yannison.
Chapter 371
Both riders dismounted simultaneously as the groom led the horses away. Yannison, now thoroughly convinced of Cynthia’s prowess, offered his sincere admiration, “You truly are an exceptional woman, Mrs. Sullivan.” He found the competition exhilarating, the most he had enjoyed in years, and despite his defeat, he was eager for a rematch. “Next time you visit Fruycia, we must have another match.
Cynthia, smiling, agreed, “Absolutely. She then gently reminded him, “Just remember the three points we discussed earlier.
Yannison, in good spirits despite the loss, assured her, “Don’t worry. I will honor our deal.”
At that moment, Liam approached, and Cynthia, bubbling with excitement, threw her arms around his neck and whispered jubilantly, “Honey, I
Liam equally elated, returned her embrace and handed her a cup “Good job, Honey. Here, drink some water.
Yannison, witnessing their affectionate display, felt like a third wheel, having just lost a wager and now subjected to their celebratory affections. Despite his chagrin, he pressed, “Let’s proceed to sign the contract before I reconsider.” Cynthia then released Liam and together they headed toward the lounge
hy don’t you and
Queena, intending to follow, was stopped by Cynthia who remembered the purpose of her presence. “It’s rare for us to be here. Why Hallet enjoy yourselves! I’ll join you after the contract is signed,” Cynthia suggested