Chapter 176 Chapter 176
Nathaniel whistled softly as he walked out of the company building, feeling strangely lighthearted. It had been a long day, but the thought of going home early brought a small smile to his face. The evening sun dipped low, painting the sky with golden streaks.
“Finally,” he murmured as he pressed the unlock button on his car. The lights blinked, and he slid into the driver’s seat, tossing his briefcase onto the passenger side.
He turned on the ignition, and the smooth purr of the engine filled the air. Everything seemed fine — too fine.
Nathaniel adjusted his rearview mirror, pulled out of the parking lot, and joined the main road. The city buzzed with evening traffic; cars honked, people crossed the streets, and the air was filled with the rush of engines.
He hummed lightly to a soft song playing on the radio, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. Life, for once, felt peaceful.
But that peace lasted only a few minutes.
As Nathaniel approached a red light, he pressed his foot on the brake pedal.
Nothing happened.
He frowned, pressing it harder. Still nothing. The car kept moving, slowly picking up speed.
“What the—?” he muttered, pressing again, this time harder and faster. The pedal went straight to the floor.
“No, no, no, this can’t be happening!”
Panic rushed through him. His heart started pounding, his eyes widened, and sweat broke out on his forehead. The traffic ahead was heavy — cars lined up, horns blaring.
He yanked the steering wheel, trying to swerve, but it only made the car jerk violently to the side. Other drivers began honking furiously.
“Move! Move!” someone shouted from another car.
Nathaniel’s mind raced. The brakes were gone — completely gone.
He tried to use the handbrake, pulling it up with all his strength, but the car only screeched louder. The tires squealed against the asphalt, leaving black marks behind as the vehicle sped downhill.
His chest tightened. “God, please help me!”
He gripped the wheel tightly, steering away from a bus that suddenly appeared in front of him. His car swerved sharply, scraping against the side of a delivery truck. The metal screamed as sparks flew.
People screamed and ran from the sidewalk as Nathaniel’s car sped uncontrollably down the road.
Then — BOOM!
The car hit the roadside barrier with a deafening crash. The front of the vehicle crumpled instantly, the airbags bursting out and hitting Nathaniel’s face with a hard thud.
The world seemed to stop for a moment.
Silence.
Only the faint sound of hissing smoke and the crackle of a broken headlight filled the air.
Nathaniel sat still for a few seconds, dazed, his breathing fast and uneven. His hands trembled on the steering wheel, his heart hammering against his ribs.
He blinked several times, trying to understand what just happened. Slowly, he touched his head, expecting blood — but there was none.
He looked down. No injury, no pain. Just the shock and ringing in his ears.
He coughed lightly and unfastened his seatbelt. “I… I’m okay?” he whispered, almost in disbelief.
A few people ran toward the wrecked car.
“Sir! Are you alright?” one man shouted.
Nathaniel nodded weakly, stepping out of the vehicle. His knees wobbled, but he managed to stand.
The car was a complete wreck — the hood crushed, smoke rising from the engine.
“What happened?” another bystander asked. “You lost control?”
Nathaniel shook his head slowly, still in shock. “The brake… it didn’t work.”
Someone quickly called the police and a tow truck. Nathaniel just stood there, staring at the ruined car — the same car he drove every day, the one that had almost taken his life tonight.
His mind spun with confusion.
He was safe, unharmed, but something felt terribly wrong.
He whispered softly, “The brake… why did it fail?”
As the tow truck arrived and the flashing lights reflected off his pale face, Nathaniel couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t an accident at all.
And somewhere far away, Cassandra’s phone buzzed with a message.
Rico: He’s alive. The car’s gone, but he walked away.
Cassandra’s smile faded instantly as she threw the phone onto the bed, anger burning in her chest.
Back at the scene, Nathaniel stared at the smoking car, still breathing hard, his heart grateful yet suspicious.
Whatever happened, he knew this was no ordinary brake failure. Someone wanted him dead.
But for now… he was still standing.