My Formula 1 System

[SYSTEM ONLINE...]

[Host should begin Daily Routine.]

Luca woke up at 6:00 AM in his hotel room in the heart of London, ready to follow his Professional Bundle's Daily Routine for the day.

He found a strange satisfaction in this structured regimen, one that might just be his reality for the foreseeable future. The system had hinted that the Top Driver Bundle wouldn't differ much from the Professional Bundle, so this was as good as permanent.

[6:00 HYDRATION & MORNING PRIMING: Host will get out of bed and perform light stretches to activate muscles. A full glass of water will be consumed to kickstart metabolism. Deep breathing exercises will be performed to enhance focus and mental clarity.]

[6:30 PROFESSIONAL WORKOUT & MOBILITY TRAINING: Host will engage in a high-performance training session, including explosive HIIT circuits (Plyometric Push-Ups, Jump Squats, Mountain Climbers), strength training (Weighted Bulgarian Split Squats, Dead Hangs, Core Planks), and advanced mobility drills (dynamic stretches, yoga sequences, joint activation exercises).]

[7:30 COOL DOWN & GROOMING: Host will perform deep stretches to alleviate muscle tension. A cold shower will be taken to enhance recovery and refresh the body.]

[8:00 BREAKFAST & NUTRITIO: Host will consume a carefully structured meal rich in proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Additional hydration will be maintained with a full glass of water.]

Luca took full advantage of the hotel's five-star gym, pairing up with Amir, whom he was seeing for the first time since his championship victory. It was a brief but solid reunion, and they fell into their usual rhythm, pushing each other through their workouts.

This was only Luca's second gym session since arriving in London. The night before had been his second stay at the hotel, but prior to that, he had been sleeping at their house in Clapham.

The only reason he booked a hotel in the first place was because Sophia hadn't returned yet from her school's event celebrating newly accepted candidates.

She had finally come back two days ago, which meant Mrs. Rennick now had company. With that, Luca was free to move as he pleased, and he took the chance to check into a hotel, telling them it made communication with Mallow easier during this period of business and negotiations.

One of the negotiations during this period would follow a different structure, and this time, Luca would be the one drafting the contract for the second party, rather than the other way around.

Today, he was set to meet Mr. Vance to officially discuss the possibility of joining his agency and expanding it with additional staff under him.

Luca hadn't accepted Mr. Vance's offer yet. He wanted to see the man in person before making his decision.

After all, this was the same man who had once treated him like a stray dog, shoving him off to Trampos without good intentions.

Trampos had turned out to be a good path for him, but that wasn't the point, it was the fact that Mr. Vance had expected it to be a disaster and still sent him there regardless. That made all the difference.

People change, but Luca knew that men like Mr. Schafer and Mr. Vance rarely did. He would find out for sure today.

[Good job, Host. You can now proceed to the next phase of your Daily Routine. Your time in the gym today is over.]

Luca waved Amir goodbye and returned to his hotel room.

His phone rang. Mallow's name flashed on the caller ID.

Luca answered, and Mallow informed him that he was approaching the hotel and would be waiting at the back open area which was the same spot they had previously arranged.

Luca nodded, ended the call, and resumed his morning.

He went into the shower, letting the cool water soothe his body before stepping out to apply his usual skincare routine which was a habit he maintained since dealing with the freckles he had then.

As he finished up, his meal arrived, and he ate quickly without lingering. Once done, he dressed in a plain shirt and dark, relaxed pants, then grabbed his phone before making his way out to join Mallow.

Surprisingly, the back open area was quiet and empty. The deck chairs were neatly arranged around round plastic tables, all unoccupied. At the center, a rectangular swimming pool stretched out like a serene blue oasis, carved into the greenery beneath the chairs, giving the space a paradise-like feel. Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire

Seated at one of the tables was a figure dressed in indigo black. It was Mallow. He was too busy flirting with one of the hotel's female staff to even notice Luca approaching.

Scanning the area, Luca didn't see Mr. Vance anywhere, and a sense of unease settled in. He walked over to Mallow and took the seat across from him.

"Oh, Luca," Mallow said, offering the young woman a casual wave. "I didn't even see you coming."

Luca settled into his chair, eyeing him with amusement. "You flirt way too much for a man who isn't even a 10/10."

Mallow burst into laughter, nodding in agreement. "Fair point. But I wasn't flirting alone, y'know, the fine lady's bringing us drinks," he said, gesturing toward the woman in white approaching with a small tray of cups and beverages.

She reached their table and smoothly set the drinks down, offering a polite smile to Mallow before turning and walking away.

"Where's Mr. Vance?" Luca asked, snapping Mallow out of his staring trance.

"Vance? He said he'd get here on his own. Something about not wanting to look like a dog on a leash if he came with me," Mallow replied.

Luca raised a brow in surprise as Mallow casually poured their drinks.

"Pride, huh?" Mallow remarked.

"Don't you think he'll have to drop that, considering he'd actually be working for me?" Luca questioned.

Mallow shrugged and handed Luca a cup. "Trust me, I'm more troubled than you are," he admitted. "I used to work under him in Stadhaven, and if today goes well, he'll be beneath me. And I know Vance—he's a man who thrives on authority."

Hmm...

"He'll be here in a few minutes," Mallow added, settling into his seat. "So, tell me—what did Hawthorne have to say to you this time? Did she mention when your Jaguar will arrive?"

"Nope, nope," Luca chuckled. "She wanted to hear from me firsthand which F1 team I'd likely go for. Apparently, she's considering investing in whichever team I join to help however she can."

Mallow smirked over the rim of his glass as he took a sip. "Look at you—Formula 2 World Champion," he sneered.

Luca knew he had to get used to the title, but it still felt weird. Just a month ago, that title belonged to Max Addams.

"She's very generous," Luca remarked, referring to Mrs. Hawthorne.

"Yeah, she is," Mallow agreed. "Must be an old age thing. Makes people want to do generous things."

Luca thought back to that conversation. "You wouldn't even believe it," he said. "She actually offered me her daughter's hand in marriage for the future."

Kuh—!

Mallow choked on his drink, the same way Luca had when Mrs. Hawthorne had first brought it up. He stared at Luca in pure disbelief. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah."

"...And what did you say?"

"I refused, of course."

Mallow slammed his hand on the table. "ARE YOU FREAKING NUTS, LUCA?!"

Luca blinked, stunned. "I don't understand."

Mallow leaned in, speaking slowly as if Luca needed help processing reality. "A royal millionaire offered you her daughter's hand in marriage for free, and you refused?!"

A small, unintentional smile crept onto Luca's face. "Wait... you actually think I should've accepted?"

"Damn right, I do."

Luca shook his head. "I'm just starting my career, man. Marriage is the last thing anyone should be talking about around me."

Mallow exhaled loudly, sipping his drink with exaggerated disappointment.

"Besides," Luca mumbled, hoping Mallow wouldn't catch it, "there's someone else."

Mallow's eyes narrowed. "And who the fuck would that be?"

"Isabella."

"Isabella...?"

"You know, Mr. Schafer's daughter," Luca clarified.

Mallow hummed in thought, still visibly bitter. "I had no idea you were sneaking around behind my back."

Luca was grateful that Sara had never mentioned Isabella to Mallow.

To Mallow, Isabella seemed fine, but if he were in Luca's shoes, he wouldn't have hesitated to accept Mrs. Hawthorne's proposal. The wealth, the connections, the generational bond. It was all an opportunity most wouldn't even dream of passing up.

"You do know that the most successful marriages are often the arranged ones?" Mallow remarked. "Both people go in with the expectation of making it work. No foolish ideas about 'finding the one' or chasing some perfect romance."

Luca watched as Mallow continued his rant.

"...Maybe that's why my marriage failed," Mallow admitted, exhaling deeply, his voice laced with regret. "I was searching for love instead of understanding what marriage really meant." He leaned back, shaking his head. "Trust me, you'd be far better off with Hawthorne's daughter than with Mr. Schafer's."

Luca took a slow sip of his drink. "You're divorced, aren't you?" he asked, stating the obvious. "Doesn't that mean... you failed in marriage?"

"...Not really," Mallow muttered, though his tone suggested otherwise.

Luca tilted his head. "So, don't you think if I ever need marriage advice, it should come from someone who's been successfully married for, say, twenty-five years?"

Mallow nodded, chuckling in defeat. "You make a good point. You really do."

They sat in silence, draining the bottle halfway before Mr. Vance finally arrived.

He was dressed in an unbuttoned navy suit without a tie, his hair rough and unruly as he approached their table.

Luca stood up from his seat and offered a handshake. The objective was to set aside past differences and evaluate Mr. Vance with neutrality, seeking a possible future built on progress and prosperity.

There were many agents in the free market, but Luca was considering Mr. Vance solely because both Mallow and Sara knew him. This familiarity would make everything work out easily and smoothly with no difficulties in communication and prevent any sort of unnecessary friction.

"You left my umbrella as a mere candidate at Grey-Husson's," Mr. Vance said, shaking Luca's hand without breaking eye contact. "And now, I come to meet you as the world champion of the Formula 2 division. Congratulations, Luca."

Luca offered a brief smile. "Thanks," he replied, motioning for everyone to take their seats.

It was time to talk, it was time to gauge Mr. Vance's true intentions and the strategies he had to elevate Luca's driver persona in the sport.

A good plan wouldn't be enough. Anyone could put together something that sounded substantial.

Exceptional was the only standard that mattered.