Chapter 95: A Farewell Eight Years Late
Seeing Isabella emerge from the building, Joseph smoothly pocketed the lighter he'd been fidgeting with and walked over to her with a smile.
"Isabella." He called her name.
Isabella frowned slightly, her gaze dropping to the lighter clutched in his palm.
"Since when do you smoke?"
The moment the question left her lips, Isabella suddenly realized that she and Joseph hadn't been in contact for eight whole years.
Eight years was enough time to change anyone completely. Joseph wasn't a young boy anymore—picking up smoking would be perfectly normal.
Joseph held up a Zippo engraved with a starry sky pattern, raising an eyebrow at Isabella. "A fan gave it to me. I thought it looked pretty cool, so I kept it as a little toy."
He clearly remembered how Isabella used to advise him against smoking and drinking. She disliked the smell of cigarettes, and smoking created an addictive physical dependency that Isabella found dangerous.
That's why no member of the Romantic Racing Team had ever been a smoker.
He flashed her a particularly well-behaved smile, his lips curving upward.
"Isabella, let's go get dinner. I'm starving." Joseph reached out and grabbed Isabella's arm, pulling her toward his car with an intimacy that suggested long familiarity.
"Isn't that Isabella who just joined our company recently? Could that be her boyfriend?"
"He looks awfully young. I guess when you've got money, you can have any kind of man you want."
Isabella was living proof of what women could achieve when they had financial independence, a constant reminder to her colleagues.
"Look at that car he's driving—maybe he's some wealthy tycoon who fell for Isabella and is pursuing her!"
"Oh my God, that's so romantic!"
The chatter wasn't exactly quiet, and Isabella could hear every word clearly from inside the car.
Joseph's red sports car was indeed eye-catching, especially being a limited edition model.
Combined with Joseph's devastatingly handsome face, Isabella could already imagine her colleagues' reactions when they discovered his true identity.
With a roar of the engine, the sports car shot forward, instantly leaving all the voices behind.
"There are too many people around the office. Next time, don't be so conspicuous when you come by—it creates unnecessary drama, and I don't like being the center of gossip." Isabella shook her head with a helpless sigh.
Showing off was a trait of youth. When Isabella was younger, her favorite feeling had been being surrounded by all eyes on the racetrack.
But now, after years of life experience, she preferred a quieter existence.
Joseph propped his head on one hand, maintaining his rakish, devil-may-care smile. "Back in the day, whenever Victoria took the track, every single pair of eyes in the stadium would focus on you. Isabella, I'm just helping you remember that feeling ahead of time."
If their team's fans knew they had managed to bring the long-silent Victoria back, they'd be absolutely thrilled.
The world would see Victoria again.
A legend who represented victory—someone who never lost.
Isabella bit her lip, her expression growing more serious. "About my return—don't tell Zack yet. He's still in a critical recovery period, and I'm afraid it might affect his healing."
Whenever Zack's injuries came up, Isabella was consumed with worry.
If it weren't for work and the divorce proceedings holding her back, Isabella would have flown over to check on Zack's condition immediately.
Joseph nodded quickly. "Don't worry, Isabella. I was planning to go back with you anyway and surprise them all. Samantha will be so happy—she's been busy interviewing new members lately, but there's no way to train someone to replace Zack in such a short time."
Isabella's presence could perfectly fill Zack's spot, which would be wonderful news for the entire team.
Resting her head against her hand by the window, Isabella felt weighed down by too many concerns to feel genuinely happy.
"Even if I can help you this time," she suddenly spoke up. The car had just stopped at a red light, and Joseph looked at her with complete attention. Isabella's voice became somewhat ethereal, lacking confidence. "I can't help you forever. Despite my deep feelings for the Romantic Racing Team, I have my own work and life now."
Joseph shook his head, not letting Isabella finish her thought.
The light had turned green, and cars behind them began honking impatiently.
Joseph had to start driving again, speaking to Isabella while navigating traffic. "It doesn't matter, Isabella. You never even had a proper farewell back then. That last race should have been your final competition. For us, this is just a goodbye that's eight years late. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Joseph had grown up in Valeria but was ethnically Aetherian, inheriting his taste preferences from his parents. Even the restaurant he'd chosen was an authentic Aetherian establishment.
"This is the highest-rated place I found on the app nearby. I just don't know how the food compares to my mom's cooking," Joseph explained to Isabella.
Joseph's mother was an excellent cook. During Isabella's time with the Romantic Racing Team, she and the other members would frequently go to Joseph's house for dinner.
After eating there for a month straight, Isabella discovered her weight climbing steadily, so she never dared visit again.
"It should be pretty good. I don't eat out very often."
"I was actually hoping to meet Olivia today, but the gift I prepared for her is stuck in customs, so I'll have to wait for another time."
When Joseph smiled, the dimples in his cheeks deepened dramatically, making even his somewhat dark gothic appearance seem endearing.
"What did your mother say when you did this to your face?" Isabella asked with amusement.
Joseph made an exaggerated expression. "My mom chased me with a coat hanger for an entire block! She even took me to the Sunrise Hospital to ask if there was any way to heal the holes in my cheeks without scarring!"
Hearing about these dramatic incidents, Isabella covered her mouth and laughed along with Joseph.
Joseph's mother was actually quite traditional Aetherian. Years ago, when Joseph's father's job required relocation, she'd followed him to Valeria, leaving her homeland behind. After learning that Isabella was also Aetherian, she'd shown her special care and attention.
While waiting for their food, Isabella glanced sideways and suddenly spotted William's persistent face appearing in her line of sight.
He was sitting just two tables away, currently glaring at Isabella and Joseph with a dark expression.
From fifteen feet away, William's gaze cut like a knife, as if trying to pierce right through them.