Chapter 116: You Are My Pride
With Daphne's car, it took Isabella less than half an hour to reach the Galaxy District training facility.
Even though it was evening, the constant roar of engines echoed from within, along with the harsh screech of tires against asphalt—clear signs that multiple racing teams were conducting training sessions.
Isabella was about to enter with Olivia when a man in a suit blocked their path.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but our racetrack has strict safety protocols. Do you have a scheduled instructor?"
Isabella smiled. "I'm here with Joseph."
The man looked skeptical, clearly doubting that Isabella was actually into racing.
With no other choice, Isabella called Joseph to come out and meet them.
Joseph emerged from the track wearing a pristine white racing suit, helmet tucked under his arm, looking like he'd just stepped out of his car.
Sweat had dampened the hair at his temples, and if you ignored the piercings covering his face, he had an undeniably youthful energy about him.
The moment he spotted Olivia, Joseph's eyes lit up.
He looked at Olivia, then at Isabella, then back again.
"Isabella, Olivia looks exactly like you—she's like a miniature version of you!"
Joseph rarely interacted with children and found her fascinating. Seeing her adorable baby-round cheeks, he reached out to give them a gentle touch.
Olivia stepped back, dodging behind Isabella while eyeing this strangely dressed stranger with caution.
"Mommy told me not to let strangers touch me!" she declared in a crisp voice, showing no signs of shyness.
Joseph burst into hearty laughter, clutching his helmet. "Do I really look like a bad guy to you?"
After tilting her head in brief consideration, Olivia delivered her verdict without hesitation: "Yes!"
With all those piercings covering his face, he definitely looked like a dangerous weirdo.
Even though she knew he was her mother's friend, Olivia couldn't shake her instinctive fear.
Isabella gently patted Olivia's head. "This is Joseph, one of Mommy's good friends. He's a good person."
Joseph puffed up with pride, then crouched down to meet Olivia at eye level. "I knew your mom before you were even born!"
Seeing Isabella's child all grown up filled Joseph with a wave of nostalgia.
Six years—they'd missed so much time.
While Isabella went to change into her racing suit, Joseph led Olivia up to the spectator area.
Joseph had prepared the racing suit in advance—it even featured the Romantic Racing Team logo embroidered on the chest.
The team's suits had been redesigned since Isabella's time, but the logo itself was Isabella's own creation. Seeing it again on her chest brought a surge of bittersweet emotions.
Her nose and eyes began to sting, and she had to fight hard to keep her feelings in check.
When Isabella appeared before them, Olivia's jaw dropped, and she let out a little "wow!"
"Mommy, you look so cool!"
Her wide eyes were filled with pure admiration, and she was clearly excited to see Isabella perform on the track.
"I was planning to rent out the entire facility, but with the Canvia Championship coming up, most of the domestic teams are training here, so we'll have to share the space."
Seaside City's training facility was the largest in the country, featuring tracks that perfectly replicated the Canvia circuit's challenging curves. Before such an important race, teams always organized intensive training sessions.
Isabella nodded in understanding. She knew the unwritten rules—in racing, mutual respect and courtesy were everything.
"Isabella, I still have one more lap to finish. Let me go complete that, then you can take over!"
After briefing Isabella, Joseph bounded down to his car with light steps, revved the engine, and shot off like a rocket.
Olivia's mouth fell open, startled by the incredible speed.
"Mommy, is this how you used to race? Joseph told me you had so many fans back then—people all over the world would wait for your races. He said you could break track records!"
Whenever Isabella stepped onto a track, she became the brightest star.
Before Isabella could respond, Olivia's mood suddenly deflated.
"You left racing for Nathan and me, didn't you? You gave up so much for us... If it wasn't for us, you'd be a world-famous star like Joseph right now!"
Although Olivia had never witnessed that era of Isabella's life, she could imagine her mother standing on the champion's podium, spraying champagne in victory.
Isabella was momentarily stunned. "Why would you say that?"
Her daughter's intelligence and empathy had always been sources of immense pride for Isabella.
But seeing Olivia tormented by these past sacrifices broke Isabella's heart.
Olivia was her daughter—she'd willingly given everything for her.
"Joseph told me. He said your racing name was Victoria, that you were a racing star who came so close to leading your team to victory. It's because Nathan and I came along that you got held back, isn't it?"
Tears were beginning to gather in Olivia's eyes, and Isabella felt her heart melting.
So what if Nathan was rebellious and unreasonable? Having a daughter like Olivia made everything worthwhile.
She pulled Olivia into a tight embrace.
"You were never a burden to me. My daughter is smart and wonderful—you'll always be my pride and joy. I've never once regretted retiring from racing. Olivia, you're Mommy's treasure, and everything I do for you, I do with all my heart!"
After comforting Olivia, Joseph returned from the track, and it was Isabella's turn to take the wheel.
Settling back into the familiar driver's seat after so long, Isabella felt her excitement soaring.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as every detail of the cockpit welcomed her home—these controls had once been like extensions of her own body.
She pressed the accelerator, and the car shot forward like a blade cutting through the air, racing toward the finish line.
This sense of freedom was intoxicating. Behind the wheel, Isabella could forget everything else—her only thought was to accelerate, overtake, and reach the goal.
Every drop of blood in her veins seemed to ignite as Isabella's excitement peaked. There were no other opponents in her sight—the cars ahead were like echoes of her former self from eight years ago.
In this racing seat, her only mission was to surpass herself.
She was finally back.