Chapter 296
Chapter 296:
Austin adjusted the reins in his hand, his tone calm but concerned. “I was meeting John for a round of golf. On my way over, I saw your horse acting out. It looked like you were in trouble—what happened p>
Yelena frowned, glancing at Hawk. “I’m not sure. I had already tamed Hawk earlier, and everything was fine. But when we returned here, it was like something spooked him. He went completely wild p>
Austin’s brow furrowed as he studied the horse. “This one looks like he has a fiery temperament. A horse like this isn’t easy to handle p>
“True, but he’s been remarkably responsive with me. Something must have set him off.” Her gaze shifted back to Hawk, and a puzzled expression crossed her face.
Determined to find an answer, she began inspecting the horse, her hands moving methodically over its sleek coat. Why would it behave like that?
Just as Yelena moved around the horse, she winced, a sharp pain shooting through her foot. Looking down, she saw the culprit—a nail lying half-buried in the dirt. Her expression darkened, shifting from confusion to seriousness.
Yelena’s brows knit together, her expression darkening. “What’s going on here?” she muttered under her breath. Nails—of all places?
This was an equestrian center, a place designed for safety and care, not only for the people but also for the animals. Such hazards had no business being anywhere near the grounds.
Her mind raced with questions.
Was it negligence—or something more sinister?
“What’s wrong?” Austin asked, his tone tinged with concern. “Did something happen p>
Catching the shift in her demeanor, he stepped closer.
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Yelena glanced up briefly before gesturing toward the ground. “Look. I found nails here,” she said, her voice steady but cold, her piercing gaze fixed on the offending objects scattered across the dirt.
Austin followed her gaze, his own expression hardening as he spotted the nails. “What?” he said, startled. He crouched down to inspect them, disbelief flashing across his face. “How is this possible? And there’s so many of them? This doesn’t look accidental to me p>
“Yes,” Yelena said, her voice calm but edged with steel. “Look at these nails. They’re brand new, scattered as though someone deliberately left them here. This is an equestrian center—they’re meticulous about safety. The grooms would never overlook something so basic p>
Austin’s eyes darkened as he scanned the area, his jaw tightening. “Exactly. That’s why it doesn’t add up. If this was deliberate, the real question is: why? What would someone gain from this p>
Yelena’s brows furrowed as she mulled over the possibility.
“Could it just be a coincidence?” she murmured, the words tasting hollow.
Her instincts rejected the thought immediately. This was no random accident. The timing, the placement—it was all too precise. Hawk’s reaction wasn’t bad luck; it had been triggered.
Austin broke her train of thought with a sharp question.
“Who was here before this happened p>
Yelena froze momentarily, her mind racing.
“It was just us,” she replied automatically, but the pieces clicked together almost instantly.
Bella.
Bella had been standing here not long before the incident. When Yelena arrived with Hawk, Bella had left to ride her own horse.
If the nails had been here earlier, Bella’s horse would very likely have been hurt as well, and surely someone would have noticed. The staff, the riders—there would have been signs, or at the very least, an uproar.
But the chaos only unfolded when Yelena returned with Hawk.
A chill ran down Yelena’s spine as the realization solidified. If she hadn’t held onto the reins… Hawk might have thrown her off.
The consequences could have been catastrophic. Her gaze dropped to the ground, and then flicked toward the distant horizon where Bella had ridden off.
The pieces formed a clear, unsettling picture.
This wasn’t carelessness. It wasn’t an accident. Without solid evidence, however, Yelena could only let her suspicions simmer beneath the surface.
Moments later, Bella returned, riding Dolly at a measured pace.
Her expression was carefully neutral, but her eyes immediately sought Yelena.
Her breath caught. Yelena stood calmly beside Hawk, her posture composed. That was strange, especially since Bella had seen Hawk go wild.