Chapter 239: Better Stay Strong Forever
"I just wanted to stand up for Isabella and teach that bastard a lesson!"
Samantha grew even more exasperated. "You did teach him a lesson last time—and landed yourself in jail right before the Canvia Championship. Do you have any idea what'll happen if you get arrested again?"
Violence wouldn't solve anything; it would only make things worse. Every word Samantha spoke was meant to knock some sense into Joseph, but the more she said, the more agitated he became.
"It's not like I go around punching everyone I meet! If reasoning with William actually worked, would Isabella and I be getting pushed around like this?"
Isabella waved him off. "Leave me out of this."
Aside from William's refusal to finalize the divorce and the constant threat of losing custody, Isabella didn't feel bullied by him at all.
Joseph's explosive temper really did need someone to rein it in.
"When you get home, you're writing me a full self-reflection. Think long and hard about why you're always so impulsive!"
Samantha wasn't backing down. Her goal was to teach Joseph a lesson, so she issued the punishment without hesitation.
Joseph pouted and grunted, dropping into his seat with visible resentment. He still looked thoroughly unconvinced.
He couldn't understand why everyone was blaming him when he hadn't done anything wrong.
"Here's what we'll do," Daphne finally offered after listening to the entire exchange. "While you're on break, spend quality time with Olivia. Once you're back at work, we'll take turns picking up the kids. And make sure to inform Olivia's teacher that no one—absolutely no one—is allowed to take her from school without your explicit authorization."
Watching Daphne's thorough and sensible approach, Samantha felt a pang of envy.
Why was her racer like someone operating below the intelligence curve—impossible to reason with?
Isabella looked at them all gratefully, thanking them repeatedly. She then asked Mary to prepare a feast so they could dine together.
While everyone else enjoyed their vacation, Isabella—as Crystaphene's discoverer—still had to coordinate with the company's PR department for interviews and promotional work about the revolutionary new material.
The PR department consisted of a group of enthusiastic young women who immediately pulled Isabella into animated conversations about racing.
"Isabella, I'm a huge fan of Joseph from your team! I went to his race last time, but I was seated so far away I couldn't even wave to him. Could you possibly get me his autograph?"
The girl looked at her with such earnest hope that Isabella didn't have the heart to refuse.
"I'll try when I get back."
"Isabella, would you sign something for me? You're such an inspiration to women!"
Isabella happily obliged. What should have been a straightforward photo shoot turned into something resembling a fan convention.
The interview questions had been provided in advance—nothing tricky, all technical. Isabella breezed through her answers effortlessly.
At the end, the reporter gazed at Isabella with genuine admiration.
"It's rare enough for a woman to reach the pinnacle of one field. I never imagined Ms. Capulet would achieve such remarkable success across multiple disciplines."
Isabella responded modestly, "I wouldn't call it remarkable. I've simply been fortunate to receive support and appreciation."
As the interview wrapped up and Isabella rose to leave, she suddenly spotted a disturbingly familiar figure lurking at the back of the crowd.
Laura had somehow infiltrated Infinity Ventures Corporation, standing in the shadows like a ghost.
Only after the crew began packing up did Laura approach.
"Got a minute? I'd like to chat." Laura stood before Isabella with an air of smug superiority.
Isabella's expression remained flat. "I have time. I just don't have interest."
"We picked out an engagement ring yesterday. Sophia says it's bigger and more brilliant than yours. You and William didn't even have an engagement party, did you? Just went straight to the wedding?"
Isabella's eyes turned cold.
When she and William married, she'd been pregnant beforehand. By the time the wedding was ready, she was three months along with twins, her belly visibly rounded.
The ceremony had been rushed. Naturally, it couldn't compare to Laura's meticulously planned affair.
The PR girls, now devoted Isabella fans, heard the strange exchange and their expressions darkened.
Clearly, the woman before them was the homewrecker who'd destroyed Isabella's marriage—whether mistress or side piece, either way completely inappropriate.
"Our company prohibits unauthorized visitors. This is a confidential shoot area."
One of Isabella's colleagues stepped forward, blocking Laura's path.
Laura laughed lightly.
"Is this how Infinity Ventures Corporation treats guests? Let me tell you something—one day soon, I'll be the wife of your business partner. Keep acting like this, and I'll have my husband pull his investment."
The girl looked Laura up and down with open contempt.
"Then let him pull it. Who do you think you are?"
Laura hadn't expected that revealing her supposed status would fail to command respect. Her expression instantly darkened. She glared at the girl, then turned back to Isabella.
"I have so much more than you now. I'm far happier than you ever were with the Montagu family."
Isabella couldn't see it.
If Laura were truly happy, why would she have time to come here flaunting it?
And to an ex-wife who didn't care—who'd never even factored into their relationship.
Isabella knew Laura was being deliberately provocative. She offered a dismissive smile. "Well, congratulations. I wish you both all the happiness in the world."
"How fake!" Laura sneered.
Isabella actually laughed at that. She rose to her full height, using her natural advantage to look down at Laura.
"You'll become the second me eventually. William's interest in you will wear down bit by bit. He'll start wondering what he ever saw in you in the first place."
Isabella's tone was coolly analytical. "So you'd better pray your family connections stay rock-solid. Forever powerful. Forever on your side."
Laura bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"I'm already standing way higher than you ever did!"
Isabella nodded. "Then I wish you continued ascent. May you rise all the way to the clouds."
Just then, security arrived, summoned by the others. Isabella stepped aside smoothly, watching as they escorted Laura out.