Even though the Hawthorne jet wasn’t even technically Luca’s, his access to it had significantly increased ever since he extended his one-year contract with Mrs. Hawthorne to a seven-year agreement.
They had both settled on the understanding that if everything went smoothly during those seven years, an indefinite contract would follow.
Luca couldn’t see any reason for things to go wrong between him and Mrs. Hawthorne, so in his mind, he was already a permanent part of her empire.
Recently, a certain family had approached him through Mallow, offering a deal identical to the one he had with Hawthorne. However, Mallow had rejected it outright.
Accepting such an offer would have been akin to being sponsored by competing firms in the same industry, which would completely strip away the exclusivity and prestige that came with being backed by one.
Even in all contracts, it was strictly stated that an ambassador couldn’t engage with firms in the same category. So, Mallow hadn’t even needed to consult Luca before rejecting the offer.
Luca was completely satisfied with Hawthorne. He couldn’t imagine anyone else being willing to hand over one of their private jets for his flights and travels. It was a privilege he didn’t take lightly.
With the jet at their disposal, he and his personal team departed for Italy on the 2nd of January, preparing for the events of the following day.
Before that, the new year had unfolded in all its vibrance, welcomed with grand celebrations, dazzling fireworks, and an atmosphere thick with excitement.
It was the perfect way to mark the beginning of a fresh chapter. The new F1 season was officially set to begin in February, but the real action wouldn’t kick off until mid-March.
When the season officially started, the full schedule would be released, and all teams would unveil their new liveries and designs for the year.
But January still carried its own significance. January was the month of changes and transfers, though such moves were rare in motorsport.
Unlike in other sports and their leagues, no F1 driver had plans to switch teams, and not a single one had been dropped from their seat.
So far, Luca was the only new addition into the division. So, this was a rare shift in the otherwise stable grid for the season.
Even though he didn’t need the reminder, he appreciated how quickly Manuela had stepped into her role, already proving herself as an efficient Personal Assistant.
She had briefed him about their destination for the day and reminded him of Mrs. Coastfield’s call the night before.
Upon their arrival in Italy, they all checked into a single hotel, everyone settling into their respective rooms, preparing for what lay ahead.
That night, Luca slept peacefully, knowing that by this time tomorrow, he would officially be an F1 driver.
To ensure everything was in place, he had asked Mallow if all the agreements in the contract he was set to sign were ethical and fine with him.
Mallow reassured him that there was nothing to worry about; he had gone through every detail and reviewed everything thoroughly.
With that assurance, Luca had no reason not to sleep soundly.
-------
[SYSTEM ONLINE...]
Luca woke up and got going with his daily routine. He received an early Daily Quest, and finally, the system answered his long-awaited prayers.
[Ding!]
[Daily Quest has been issued!]
[-·-COMPLETE 550 PUSH-UPS-·-]
[DURATION: Complete before 10 PM]
[This will help enhance your upper body strength and core stability.]
[Reward for Completing Thursday Daily Quest: (EXP)
- Strength +1
Reward for Completing Thursday Daily Quest: (Tool)
- (1) Catalyst ]
[Consequence for Failing Thursday Daily Quest: Punishment
-Arthritis]
Finally, Luca had been given a Daily Quest with a Tuning Upgrade tool attached as a reward.
Though it was just one Catalyst, it was still something, and even one could help a lot. Luca was eager to apply more of the new feature to his stats and enjoy the thrill of getting stronger without actually working for it.
Then he realized the irony.
Since Catalysts and Wrenches could only be obtained from Daily Quests and other accomplishments he successfully completed, in a way, he was still working for those stats.
And here he was, thinking this was a free leveling-up feature.
At 12 PM, he was fully dressed.
Luca had chosen a very smart outfit today, courtesy of the thread and needles of Casa Reyes.
The press would be on full capacity today, so he needed to look his best while he shook hands and put the pen on the paper.
Even though it was a black suit, it wasn’t just any black suit. It was cut to perfection, and had this fabric sheen that reflected quality.
Luca looked down at his Oxfords and his cufflinks before deciding everything was in place.
Satisfied, he left his hotel room, locking the door behind him. Almost immediately, Manuela—who had been waiting—stepped out of her own room and fell into step beside him as they made their way down the golden hallway toward the elevator.
This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.
Mr. Vance was already seated in the lobby on the ground floor. When they walked past, he rose to join them, completing the group that would be present at the Grand Concordia Conference Hall, where the contract signing, broadcasted to millions, would take place.
They got into a waiting car and drove off.
At the Grand Concordia Conference Hall, everything was already in place.
Outside the venue, non-press guests were guided toward the entrance by a wide staircase framed by towering marble pillars.
Security personnel were stationed at every checkpoint, ensuring strict control and verifying that only authenticated individuals gained entry. Their presence maintained order, reinforcing the exclusivity of the event.
True to this exclusivity, Luxury cars arrived one after another, dropping off high-profile attendees, journalists, and corporate executives.
Among them were the representatives of Nevada HanSama, making their entrance and preparing the table and the paper for Luca.
Even lesser representatives from rival teams had been sent in person to assess the details of this high-profile transfer and to gauge the potential threat.
The event itself wouldn’t be long. It would be just the contract signing, an official announcement, a brief press Q&A, and a photo session. So photographers and the press worked swiftly, capturing every crucial moment from the best angles.
Luca arrived on time, and the moment he stepped out of the car, a wave of reporters surged toward him.
Microphones stretched in his direction, cameras flashed endlessly, and someone nearly shoved a mic straight into his nostril.
Jesus... Luca was beginning to grasp the sheer impact and reach of F1 compared to F2. The attention was overwhelming. Experience more on freewebnovel
Thankfully, security intervened, keeping the press at bay just as Mrs. Coastfield and a fellow colleague approached.
They swiftly welcomed him out of the chaos, while Mr. Vance stepped up to field the relentless questions on Luca’s behalf.
"You’re looking very smart!" Mrs. Coastfield remarked, guiding him forward. "Come along. This shouldn’t take long."
Luca adjusted his suit and followed her into the main hall. It was a vast, elegantly arranged space already buzzing with important activity before they even entered.
Rows and rows of white chairs lined the room, all neatly arranged and facing a marble-floored stage where the signing table awaited.
The backdrop was a grand digital screen displaying "Nevada HanSama - Official Signing Ceremony" in bold lettering, alternating between different images of Luca’s racing highlights.
The murmur in the room grew louder and cameras flashed faster.
Mrs. Coastfield led him to the designated seating area at the front, where his gaze immediately locked onto Mr. Kovachev, Nevada’s team principal. The man stood beside the signing table, his eyes fixed on Luca as he approached.
Luca had heard that Kovachev was a relatively new Team Principal, now in his third tenure. He wondered what the man thought about having him as an addition to his team.
Judging by his composed yet appraising expression, Luca felt they might get along well.
He extended a firm handshake to Kovachev, who reciprocated with a steady grip, then did the same with the Head Chief Engineer.
With that, Luca and Mrs. Coastfield took their seats.
Before opening the document, Luca’s eyes flicked toward the door, where Manuela stood silently, watching.
A few seconds later, Vance finally arrived, taking his seat to Luca’s right.
A driver was always expected to have at least one "trusted" individual present.
Mrs. Coastfield offered him a warm smile as she held out the pen.
Luca took it, the weight of it heavier in his fingers than it should have been.
Flipping to the first signing area, he took a deep breath.
This was it for Luca. Ever since he acquired the system, every race and every session was to push his body beyond the limits to get to this moment.
Now, he was about to seal his fate in Formula 1, not as a spectator, not as a hopeful, but as a professional driver in a great team.
Luca let out a slow exhale. Then, gripping the pen a little tighter, he signed the first section.
He heard a subtle sigh of relief from Mrs. Coastfield. The sigh was almost drowned out by the rapid shutter clicks of the cameras, but he chose to ignore it and focus on the contract.
There were five designated areas to sign in total. He had just signed the second after carefully reading through that section.
Every F1 team principal, manager, and investor was watching the live broadcast. But none were watching more intently than Nevada’s owners, investors, and upper management.
To them, Luca was signing too slowly.
And just as they feared, he paused at the final empty space, his brow twitching.
What’s this?
Luca’s eyes narrowed as he reread the section carefully.
Mrs. Coastfield pointed at the space. "That’s the last one, honey. Sign."
Her voice barely registered.
Luca was too focused, his mind replaying every line he had just read. And now, he was immensely grateful that he had taken his time.
This wasn’t what they had discussed.
Something was off.
Luca’s fingers loosened around the pen as realization set in.
This clause... this wasn’t in personal terms. This wasn’t what he agreed to.
His chest tightened.
I… I can’t sign this.
Mrs. Coastfield’s smile wavered slightly. "Anything wrong, Luca?" she asked. "Please, sign."
--------------
...As part of the contractual agreement between Luca Rennick and Nevada HanSama Racing, the driver acknowledges and agrees that, effective immediately upon signing, his official racing name shall be changed from ’Luca Rennick’ to ’Luca Michelotto.’ This name change will be reflected in all official team communications, sponsorship materials, FIA registration, race broadcasts, promotional events, and all other public and private documentation associated with his participation in Formula 1 under Nevada HanSama Racing.
--------------
The press wondered why Luca was stalling, their murmurs growing as anticipation filled the room.
Then, finally, he lifted his head from the document, confirming their suspicions that something was wrong.
Even though Luca’s voice was low, the microphones caught every word, broadcasting it loud and clear.
"I’m not signing this."