Chapter 89: Doing What You Believe Is Right
Rather than accept vague deflection, Joseph wanted to hear a definitive answer directly from Isabella's lips.
Their racing team couldn't afford to waste any more time.
"Isabella, before coming here, I already discussed this with Samantha. If you're willing to return, she's prepared to allocate our best resources to you—including the club facilities. Whatever you need, we'll do everything possible to resolve it."
Joseph reached into his pocket and pulled out a platinum Liberty Savings Bank card, holding it between his index and middle finger as he slid it across to Isabella.
"The club is also prepared to offer you top-tier compensation, as long as you're willing to come back."
Isabella's gaze lingered on the Liberty Savings Bank card for barely a moment before she lifted her eyes to meet Joseph's.
"This isn't about money."
Even with her involvement, Isabella couldn't guarantee they'd claim the championship.
She couldn't bear to imagine how disappointed the rest of the club would be if they actually lost.
"Isabella, you've been with the Romantic racing team since its founding—you're a cornerstone member. I know you have deep feelings for this team. Can you really bear to watch them destroy everything we've worked for all these years?"
Joseph kept his eyes fixed on Isabella, searching her face for any sign of being moved.
However, Isabella's expression remained perfectly calm, her eyes consistently downcast. Even with Joseph laying everything on the line, she showed no signs of relenting.
"Let me drive you back first. Give me some time to think this through." Isabella proactively grabbed her purse and stood up, her voice noticeably quieter.
Joseph called out, "Isabella!"
"It won't take long—I'll give you an answer within a couple of days." Isabella glanced at him before responding.
"Which hotel are you staying at?" Isabella asked.
Joseph replied, "I came straight to find you after landing. Haven't booked a hotel yet."
Hearing this, Isabella scrolled through her phone and booked Joseph a week-long hotel reservation online.
"Come on,Spend the next few days exploring the area. I have things to handle and won't be able to keep you company." Isabella spoke naturally.
Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other in so long, Isabella felt that Joseph had grown considerably taller. His frame had shed its adolescent slenderness, becoming tall and athletic.
"It's been eight years already." Isabella sat in Joseph's passenger seat, speaking with a sense of wonder.
The last time she'd ridden in Joseph's car was when he'd driven her to the airport.
"Seven years and two hundred ninety-three days, to be exact." Joseph gripped the steering wheel, his expression serious.
"You remember it that precisely?" Isabella was momentarily stunned by this answer, letting out a small laugh.
Stopping obediently at a red light, Joseph turned to look at Isabella: "I've always been a big believer in fate. When I saw you off that day, I had a feeling we'd meet again someday. Isabella, that day has finally come."
Isabella wasn't someone prone to sentimentality. Hearing Joseph's words made her eyes slightly misty, her lips pressed tightly together, though she said nothing.
After helping Joseph check in and personally escorting him to his room door, Isabella turned to leave.
She'd only taken two steps when Joseph called out to her again.
"I also believe we'll definitely meet again on the racetrack. Isabella, you will come back."
It was unclear whether Joseph's words were meant to comfort himself or encourage Isabella.
The statement sent a shock through Isabella's heart, her eardrums pulsing as if she could hear her own heartbeat.
Would they really meet again on the racetrack? Isabella asked herself.
After the delay on the road, when Isabella returned home, she found that Mary had already picked up Olivia from William's place.
Hearing the door open, Olivia immediately jumped down from the sofa and ran into Isabella's arms at full speed.
"Mommy, I missed you so much!" Olivia declared loudly.
Seeing Olivia lifted Isabella's somewhat dampened spirits. After chatting with her daughter for a bit, Isabella headed to her study.
Opening her computer and retrieving a USB drive that had been gathering dust in her bookshelf, Isabella's gaze fell upon the photos and videos stored there. Her throat tightened, and she felt an almost overwhelming urge to cry.
These photos and videos were all from her active racing days—images of triumphant laughter after winning races, occasional tears from defeats, but mostly snapshots of Isabella with old friends.
In the photos, Joseph's face looked youthfully innocent as he leaned against Isabella, showing a shy smile.
These were memories Isabella had sealed away for so long that she hadn't dared to actively access them, like a dream perpetually buried in the depths of her consciousness.
Opening a real-time recording from a championship race, Isabella found the person on screen almost foreign to her.
The difference between her eight years ago and now was simply too vast.
Propping her head up with one hand, she lowered her head in anguish, her mind wrestling with an agonizing decision.
For any racecar driver, being able to return to a beloved racetrack would naturally be ideal.
But for Isabella, what she feared most was being unable to face failure—and even more, being unable to face her teammates' expectant gazes.
"Mommy, is this you? So cool!"
Olivia had somehow wandered in and was standing beside Isabella, looking up at the computer screen with eyes full of delight.
"Mommy, I thought you couldn't even drive, but you can actually race cars!" Olivia's mouth hung open in an 'O' of amazement as she stared at Isabella's spirited appearance on the racetrack, completely awestruck.
Isabella pressed the spacebar and lifted Olivia onto her lap.
"Olivia, if you had something you really loved doing, but one day, due to some unavoidable circumstances, you gave up your dream. Now an opportunity presents itself where you could continue doing what you want to do—would you still choose to pursue it?"
This question had been circling in Isabella's mind endlessly. Unable to find an answer, she could only seek help from others, and Olivia seemed like the perfect choice.
Olivia looked at Isabella with confusion clearly written in her wide eyes, obviously not understanding why Isabella would be conflicted about such a thing.
"Of course I'd choose to keep chasing my dream! No matter what others think, regardless of what happens, you just need to do what you believe is right. Mommy, if you're talking about racing, I support you continuing!"
Olivia's eyes sparkled brightly as she turned back to gaze at Isabella's radiant appearance on the racetrack.
"I want to see Mommy on the racetrack too!"
The longing light flickering in Olivia's eyes seemed genuine, not feigned. After hearing her daughter's answer, Isabella's thoughts stirred slightly.