Chapter 207: She's Your Mother
William spun around after taking the punch, glaring daggers at Richard.
If anyone claimed there wasn't personal animosity behind that blow, he'd never believe it.
Richard's feelings for Isabella were obvious to everyone around them. Whenever William caught sight of him, a primal sense of rivalry surged through him—pure possessiveness rearing its ugly head.
His gaze bounced between the two of them before settling on Isabella with undisguised contempt. "You think you'll have some fairy-tale ending without me? Richard might act like he cares, but can you honestly say he doesn't have an agenda?"
William's tone turned accusatory, as if he'd suddenly taken the moral high ground.
Isabella's brow furrowed. Clearly William was projecting his own character flaws onto Richard.
"My life and my friendships are none of your damn business. Even if everyone around me had ulterior motives, what's it to you?" Isabella's patience had worn paper-thin.
After the intense mental focus required for today's race, she'd finally carved out time to rest—only to be cornered by William for this pointless confrontation. That she could maintain her composure at all spoke volumes about her restraint.
"You think Richard actually gives a damn about you?" William's voice climbed to a near-shout, desperation bleeding through. "He's known about your Victoria identity from the start! He only got close to you to boost profits for his precious Infinity Ventures Corporation! There's no such thing as genuine affection in this world—it's all just transactions!"
Isabella responded with a serene nod. "Mr. Spencer and I partnered up for business reasons from day one."
Far more reliable than so-called emotions.
William had been her husband for six years, yet he'd never bothered learning what she loved or loathed. What kind of family was that?
Isabella watched William's expression darken further before turning to leave with Richard. After a few steps, something made her stop and turn back.
"Don't forget—once we're home, we're filing for divorce."
Just imagining her imminent freedom from William lifted Isabella's spirits considerably.
Richard walked her to her door, then said meaningfully, "I didn't know you were Victoria when we first met... Finding out now is genuinely thrilling, and nothing like what William suggested—I'm not using you."
His earnest explanation made Isabella chuckle. "Don't worry about William's nonsense. Our friendship's been battle-tested."
"Samantha already booked us on tomorrow's earliest flight home." Isabella paused. "Mr. Spencer, now that the Canvia Championship's wrapped up, we can dive into work once we're back."
Crossing this finish line and closing her life's biggest chapter of regret had lifted an enormous weight from Isabella's shoulders.
Richard gave a solemn nod. "See you stateside."
William remained rooted in the hallway, watching until Isabella disappeared into her room. His expression could've curdled milk.
He trudged back to his own suite still sporting his fresh injury. The moment he pushed through the door, Laura rushed over with her usual enthusiasm.
Her face registered shock at the sight of his wound. "What happened to you?"
Richard's punch had landed squarely on William's lip, splitting the skin and leaving a nasty purple bruise blooming at the corner of his mouth.
Laura anxiously thrust a mirror at him. William barely glanced at his reflection before looking away. "I went to see Isabella."
Laura froze mid-reach for the first aid kit, her smile turning brittle. "Why would you do that?"
Learning about Isabella's dual identity had rattled Laura more than anyone.
She knew William admired capable women. Once upon a time, her career-woman status had been a source of pride—proof she outclassed Isabella.
But now... Laura felt profoundly inadequate.
Isabella had eclipsed her completely, and Laura lived in constant terror that William would abandon her to reunite with his soon-to-be ex-wife.
William said nothing, simply closed his eyes and sank back into the plush sofa cushions, letting Laura tend to his injuries in silence.
"Dad, is Mom really Victoria?" Nathan emerged from his bedroom, approaching William and Laura with visible trepidation.
Anyone connected to racing knew Victoria's name. Her legendary skill commanded universal respect.
Though Nathan had learned during practice sessions that Isabella could drive, discovering she was Victoria left him completely unmoored.
William opened his eyes and ruffled Nathan's hair gently. "Do you want her to be Victoria, or not?"
Nathan clearly hadn't considered the question. He stared at William for a long moment, lost in thought.
"I hope..."
Laura fixed Nathan with an expectant look. Perhaps his answer could sway William's thinking?
After considerable deliberation, Nathan nodded slowly. "I think it'd be pretty cool if Mom really is Victoria. When I grow up, I want her to teach me how to race."
The idea of his idol turning out to be his own mother sent a thrill through Nathan. It had never even crossed his mind as a possibility.
William stroked his son's head tenderly. "Whether she's Victoria or not, she's your mother. If you want to learn, she'll teach you."
Isabella had the softest heart imaginable.
When Nathan had spiked a fever years ago, she'd blamed herself so fiercely she'd cried through the entire night. By the time William rushed home from his business trip, Nathan's fever had broken—but Isabella's eyes remained swollen and raw.
Back then, William couldn't fathom it. The kid had caught a bug, the doctor had treated it—what was there to sob about?
Only after truly embracing fatherhood and witnessing his child in pain did William understand the torture Isabella must have endured.
"Will Mom really teach me?" Nathan gazed up at William with wide, luminous eyes filled with uncertainty.
He knew he'd said terrible things, made countless mistakes. Mom must be furious with him, bitterly disappointed...
Looking at his son, William felt his heart clench. "She's your mother. Nothing changes that."