Chapter 118: Want to Make a Bet?
Isabella looked at them as if they were some kind of joke.
Fortunately, she'd never shown her face during her days as Victoria, which spared her unnecessary trouble and seemed like perfect preparation for today.
The man's gaze swept up and down Isabella's body, taking on a sleazy, suggestive quality.
He snickered. "Romantic Racing Team really has hit rock bottom. Did they let you in just because you're pretty? Hot girls are a dime a dozen on the street—no wonder your team's turned into such a joke!"
His disrespect toward Isabella ultimately morphed into degrading comments about her appearance. As if any woman who showed up at the racetrack was destined to be a liability. And if she happened to be attractive, she'd automatically be dismissed as eye candy, trading on her looks. Basically, women could do nothing right on this racetrack.
"Is racing only for people with male anatomy?" Isabella shot back sharply.
She'd wanted to use cruder language, but with Olivia present, she opted for something that carried the same insulting punch without being quite so harsh.
The man in front of her visibly stumbled, clearly not expecting Isabella to fight back.
"What did you just say?"
"So men with such huge advantages on the racetrack also have hearing problems?"
Isabella snorted coldly, letting her gaze sweep over the man with deliberate insolence, returning every bit of the visual intimidation he'd subjected her to.
After being burned by William, Isabella had learned a valuable lesson: if someone was going to end up angry in a confrontation, it sure as hell wouldn't be her. She refused to be anyone's punching bag anymore.
"Even if you want to hog the track, there's something called 'first come, first served,' and we already rented this entire facility. If you've got money, you should've booked ahead of time. It's already late at night and you're trying to muscle in on someone else's reserved time? Has Snake Team really gotten so broke they can't afford proper track rental?"
Since he was using thug logic, Isabella had no problem throwing it right back at him with interest.
The man who'd spoken first was already looking grim, about to respond when Isabella continued her assault.
"You keep claiming you're Snake Team racers, but you probably don't even know which way the front door opens at Snake Team's Valeria headquarters, do you? You've been played for suckers, and you're still grinning about it, calling it an honor."
After a contemptuous laugh, Isabella drove the knife deeper: "Snake Team's racing prowess might be questionable, but their remote livestock management is impressive—you're out here defending them without having ever even met Wayne."
When it came to verbal sparring, Isabella's combat skills had been honed by Daphne. While she still had miles to go to match her mentor, she was more than capable of handling these guys.
The men had been thoroughly humiliated, and even the snarling snake emblazoned on their uniforms seemed to have turned into a laughingstock.
They knew perfectly well they were just Aetheria division racers who'd gotten lucky to be selected for the Canvia Championship.
They trained day and night, hoping to catch the club's attention and be chosen for the Valeria headquarters.
Unfortunately, the self-deceptive fantasy they'd been living was now being shattered by this outsider, Isabella. Beyond losing all face, their hearts were breaking.
"So what if you're hogging the track? Even if you had the best facilities in the world, it'd be wasted on you! Romantic Racing Team's recent performances keep getting worse—Zack's already a has-been! If it weren't for riding on past glory, what makes you think you'd even qualify for the Canvia Championship?"
Isabella's gaze shifted past the man to Joseph, whose expression had grown increasingly dark. He was biting his lip hard, jaw clenched, looking like he might explode and beat the living daylights out of this guy any second.
Zack's injury was the team's deepest wound, yet this man was using it as ammunition to mock them.
How could Joseph not be furious?
Isabella was angry too. Rage flooded her brain, making her clench her fists, wanting nothing more than to have it out with this jerk in a knockdown, drag-out fight.
But Isabella also knew with crystal clarity that scum like this would only get worse if you didn't completely shut them down.
Fists alone wouldn't solve the problem.
"You've interfered with our team's training and caused serious setbacks. Can you even afford to compensate us? Get out of our way!"
The man thought he'd intimidated Isabella and confidently lifted his chin.
"Since you look down on Romantic Racing Team so much, and think I'm just a pretty face, how about we make a bet? Let's see who's faster on this layout—you or me?"
Isabella tilted her head toward the left.
Canvia layout was positioned on the outermost edge of all the tracks, the longest and most challenging course available.
But this was just environmental simulation—the real Canvia track was ten, even a hundred times more difficult.
The man was supremely confident: "Racing against you would be no victory at all, even if I won."
He didn't take this curvaceous woman seriously, firmly convinced she was just Romantic Racing Team's eye candy.
Probably some club owner's mistress, brought in to attract investors.
"You're not chickening out, are you? Turns out you can only talk big—when it comes to actually racing, you don't even have the guts to get on the track!" Joseph chimed in from behind, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
What man could resist a challenge like that?
This guy was a perfect example. Hearing those words, he instantly flew into a rage.
"Me, scared to race? A clueless woman like you—I could give you a three-minute head start and still win! I'm just worried you can't tell the gas from the brake. The Canvia curves are seriously challenging—you might smash up that pretty face of yours!"
Isabella lifted her helmet and pulled it on. "That's really not your concern. Life and death are in fate's hands on the racetrack. If something happens, I won't come after you for damages."
Isabella spoke with complete confidence, showing no fear in the face of this man's bluster.
"Fine! Then I'll crush your fragile ego!" The man laughed roughly, pulling on his own helmet as he jumped down onto the track with Isabella.
Joseph placed a hand on Olivia's shoulder, watching Isabella's retreating figure, a faint smile suddenly appearing in his eyes.
"Olivia, watch carefully. This is your mother's true strength!"
He was absolutely certain—Victoria was finally coming back.