Racing Hearts : VOLUME 2

Chapter 7: The Billionaire Revelation

Part 1

Charles had been on cloud nine since their recent road trip and camping adventures. The growing bond between him and Mark made him feel lighter, more connected, and excited for what lay ahead. But what came next caught him entirely off guard.

One afternoon, while sitting with his younger brother, Arthur, in the Ferrari garage, they casually chatted about the upcoming race when Arthur leaned over with a smirk.

"You know, Charles, I always wondered why Mark seemed so comfortable in the spotlight," Arthur mused.

Charles raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you mean?"

Arthur casually scrolled through his phone, chuckling. "You really don't know, do you?""Know what?" Charles asked, getting a little impatient now.

Arthur flipped his phone around, showing Charles a high-profile article about Mark Spencer—the son of the Italian billionaire Alessandro and Isabella Spencer. Charles stared at the screen, utterly shocked.

"Wait, what?" Charles blinked, staring at the headline. "Mark's the son of a billionaire!? THE Alessandro Spencer!?! How have I never heard of this?"

Arthur grinned. "Dude, he's loaded. Like, beyond anything you'd imagine. Not to mention, he's famous outside of F1. He's been around celebrities for years. Look at this." Arthur scrolled further through Instagram, revealing pictures of Mark at elite parties, casually hanging out with international superstars. There were photos of him at glamorous galas, on yachts, and even attending exclusive fashion events.

Charles shook his head, baffled. "This explains why he's always been so at ease in front of the cameras. And why those celebrities at the party already knew him. He was part of their world long before F1."

It all started to click into place for Charles—the ease with which Mark carried himself, his charm, and his way of brushing off the media frenzy like it was second nature. Mark wasn't just new to the racing world. He had already been living in a world of fame, wealth, and attention.

"Why didn't he ever mention any of this?" Charles muttered, scrolling through the photos in disbelief. "He just—acted so normal."

Arthur shrugged. "Guess he didn't feel the need to."

After some reflection, Charles decided he needed to understand Mark's world better. So, a few weeks later, they traveled to Italy, and Charles was about to meet Mark's family—on their turf.When they arrived at the Spencer family mansion, Charles was stunned. The estate was enormous—more like a palace than a house. There was a home theatre, a private bar, a jacuzzi, and a massive pool surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens. Every corner of the place screamed luxury.

Mark, casually leading the way, looked back at Charles and grinned. "Yeah, I know. It's a bit much, but it's home."

Before they could even reach the front door, an older gentleman greeted them with a warm smile. "Master Mark," he said with a slight bow, "your parents will be home soon. They're running a bit late."

The man, who Mark introduced as Signore Lazzaro, had been with the family since Mark was born. "He's like Alfred to my Batman," Mark joked, patting Lazzaro on the back. The old man chuckled fondly.

Mark's parents were strict, but not in the way Charles had expected. Alessandro Spencer arrived in a crisp suit, exuding a cold and calculated demeanor. His mother, Isabella, though more warm and welcoming, still had a regal air about her.

After exchanging pleasantries, they all sat down in the grand living room. Mark received an urgent call from his team, and with an apologetic look, he excused himself from the room."Sorry, I've got to take this—urgent call. I'll be back in a bit," he said before leaving Charles alone with his parents.

Now that they were alone, Alessandro's gaze fell on Charles, his piercing eyes studying him for a moment. Charles felt a bit nervous under the weight of that stare, but Isabella quickly eased the tension with a gentle smile.

"So, Charles, how long have you known Mark?" she asked softly, her voice filled with maternal warmth.

"For about a year now," Charles replied, still a bit caught off guard by the opulence surrounding him.

Alessandro cleared his throat, drawing Charles' attention back to him. "You seem close with him."

Charles smiled nervously. "He's a great friend."

Alessandro's expression remained stoic, but there was a slight twitch of amusement in his eyes. "Good. He could use a friend like you."After a moment of silence, Alessandro's tone softened, and he began talking about Mark's childhood. "You know, Charles, Mark wasn't always this confident. We put him in every possible class—piano, guitar, singing, cooking, you name it. He excelled at everything, yet he still surprised us when he chose racing."

Isabella nodded, her gaze soft. "Yes, our son is full of surprises. But one thing you should know..."

Charles felt the tension rise, sensing that they were about to share something important. Alessandro leaned forward slightly, his voice low and serious.

"Mark... is adopted."

Charles' eyes widened. He hadn't expected this revelation at all.

"We've kept this from him all his life," Isabella added. "Not out of shame, of course, but out of love. We didn't want him to feel different, and we didn't think it was necessary to tell him yet."Alessandro gave a knowing glance toward Charles. "But something tells me he's already figured it out. He's smarter than he lets on."

Charles sat there, absorbing everything. It was becoming clearer now. Mark's confidence, his hidden life, and the deep layers that made him who he was. His parents weren't cold or distant—they were simply protective. They had raised him in a world of wealth and status, but they also genuinely cared about his happiness, even if they didn't always show it openly.

"Thank you for sharing this with me," Charles said quietly, his respect for Mark's family growing.Isabella smiled warmly. "We trust you, Charles. You're a good friend to him. And it seems that he's important to you, too."

Charles nodded, feeling a deeper connection to Mark now. He had always seen glimpses of the complexities beneath Mark's surface, but now, he understood just how intricate his friend's life truly was.

After a little while, Mark returned to the room, still his usual carefree self. Charles exchanged a glance with Alessandro and Isabella, who simply smiled knowingly.

As they were about to leave, Mark turned to his parents with a grin. "By the way, I've known for years that I was adopted."

Alessandro and Isabella looked shocked. "What!?!?!?"

Mark laughed. "Come on, I'm not that clueless. I figured it out a long time ago. But it doesn't matter. I got dad's mind. As Adopted or not, I'm still your son."

His parents stared at him for a moment before Alessandro broke into a rare smile. "You never fail to surprise us."

As they got into the car to leave, Isabella turned to her husband. "He really is our son."

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