Chapter 139: Control Your Son
Before training, Isabella called Olivia to let her know she'd be home late. Unexpectedly, Olivia excitedly asked to come watch her race. Left with no choice, Isabella had to ask Mary to bring Olivia to the track.
After completing a few laps, Isabella spotted Olivia in the distance and hurried over to her.
"Mom, you look so cool! I want to race cars too!" Olivia gazed at Isabella with admiration.
Isabella smiled warmly, reaching out to ruffle her daughter's hair. "You're still too young, sweetheart. When you grow up, you can try racing."
Olivia was her child, and regardless of what William and the Montagu family said about racing being dangerous for girls, if Olivia wanted to do it, Isabella would support her wholeheartedly.
Even though she'd taken a six-year detour, Isabella didn't believe her life was completely ruined. She was still young and capable of correcting the mistakes she'd made.
Isabella would never allow anyone to control Olivia's life the way hers had been controlled.
After chatting briefly, Olivia turned her attention back to the track with excitement. Joseph was still racing, his car streaking across the circuit at lightning speed, carving heart-stopping arcs on the asphalt.
The sight was both thrilling and exhilarating.
Isabella held Olivia as they sat down, and during this break, she observed Joseph's technique, noting areas for improvement.
While they were enjoying this warm moment, Nathan watched from nearby, completely stunned.
It took him a long time to accept the fact that Isabella was actually a racecar driver. After staring wide-eyed for several seconds, he suddenly jumped down from his chair and ran over to Isabella.
"Do you know Victoria?"
Apart from the Romantic Racing Team, hardly any teams encouraged their drivers to perform such dangerous technical maneuvers.
Every racing driver represented a significant investment of money, time, and resources from their club. If they were injured on the track, it meant all the previous investment was wasted.
No club would make such a losing proposition.
The fact that Isabella could appear at the track with Joseph, a veteran member of the Romantic Racing Team, suggested they had a close relationship.
Maybe she knew the racing legend Victoria, too!
At this thought, Nathan became excited, his eyes lighting up as he looked at Isabella with genuine enthusiasm for the first time.
Isabella was surprised that Nathan would actually approach her on his own.
After hearing his question, Isabella's lips curved into a cold smile. "I do."
"Get me Victoria's autographed photo. I want to meet her too. She's been retired for years without any news, no social media accounts, and there's absolutely no information about her online!" Nathan spoke with complete entitlement, as if he were giving Isabella orders from a position of authority.
This remark upset Isabella.She could have as many of Victoria's autographed photos as she wanted, but why should she get one for Nathan?
What gave him the right to speak to her in such a commanding tone?
Isabella's smile deepened, the coldness in her expression becoming more pronounced. "If you want one, go find it yourself. Why should I get it for you?"
Hearing Isabella actually refuse him, Nathan's smile instantly vanished, his small face falling as disappointment filled his eyes.
The sound of cars racing on the track seemed to mock him.
Nathan was indignant. "It's just an autographed photo! What's the big deal? Laura got me Emma Morgan's autographed photo just a few days ago!"
Emma Morgan was an actress Nathan had admired, who had recently won an international Best Actress award and was currently one of the entertainment industry's hottest stars.
Upon hearing this, Isabella became even more disdainful. "Since your Laura is so capable, why don't you ask her to get Victoria's autograph? Why come to me?"
"You're my mother! You should sacrifice everything for me! Even my teacher says maternal love should be selfless and expect nothing in return. Why are you always so petty?"
Nathan and William demonstrated identical attitudes toward Isabella.
Both father and son believed Isabella had no agency as a person, existing solely to serve as an appendage to the Montagu family.
After using her completely, they'd still criticize her for being calculating.
They'd drain her of everything, not leaving even the bones, then complain she hadn't given enough.
Isabella realized she must have been insane to willingly sacrifice six years of her life for them!
Hearing Nathan openly criticize Isabella again, Olivia was the most upset.
Mom had given the children everything she possibly could, yet Nathan couldn't even show basic respect!
"Even I know that when you're asking someone for a favor, you should have the right attitude. How can you talk to Mom like that?"
Even if it wasn't about getting the autographed photo, Nathan's way of speaking to their mother was completely unacceptable. Olivia loudly reprimanded him.
But Nathan remained completely indifferent.
"Mom's only doing all this to win Dad back, isn't she? Why didn't she race before? She only started when Dad mentioned divorce, and she's just trying to humiliate Laura." His tone was full of disdain.
He was treating her no better than he would an enemy.
Under Laura's influence, if Nathan continued developing this way, he would surely become a terrible person.
"But in my heart, no matter how much Mom does or how hard she tries to get attention, Laura is the best. No one can compare to her!"
At these words, Olivia's little face flushed red with anger, and she wanted to reach out to push Nathan.
Fortunately, Isabella was quick to react, swiftly restraining Olivia.
Falling from such a high platform, Nathan could easily end up in the hospital.
"Olivia, let's not make mistakes because of rude people, and let's not get angry because of rude people!"
Isabella lifted her gaze, her eyes coolly glancing at William.
She didn't believe William hadn't seen the argument happening here.
The only explanation was that he and Laura were both enjoying the show!
What surprised Isabella most was that, seeing his biological son raised to be like this, William felt no anger at all.
"Control your son and stop letting him act like a rude little bastard!"
Isabella's voice turned sharp as she delivered this harsh reprimand.