CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: ZANE THORNE—A NAME THAT STANDS FOR RACING PASSION

With Felix Langdon’s intervention, the heat around the video of the fight decreased significantly, but some people recognized the bar in the video.

Theodore Langdon, when going downstairs to sing, had an acute sense that something was off with several people. People involved in the entertainment industry are always sensitive to various camera lenses.

He raised his hand to summon a waiter, instructing them to inform Felix upstairs. He always did a good job with secrecy, and the sudden appearance of several suspicious individuals in the bar couldn’t possibly be due to him. With just a bit of thought, it was obvious these people were here for Natalie Vaughn.

After all, such high viral attention was suppressed in less than half an hour, naturally sparking curiosity. Yet since information about Natalie couldn’t be found, they could only try their luck at the bar.

Theodore thought for a moment, then removed his hat, revealing his handsome face with its striking red hair.

"A song ’Fearless’ for everyone."

Theodore’s voice was highly recognizable, and along with ’Fearless’ being his breakout hit, he immediately captured everyone’s attention. A fan recognized him and couldn’t help but scream, calling out his name.

A rising star in the rap scene suddenly appeared on stage, causing the bar to erupt.

Theodore placed a finger against his lips.

"Shh, listen to me sing."

The crowd below managed to suppress their inner excitement.

In a private room, Natalie frowned as she watched the scene downstairs, looking puzzled at Felix and asked.

"Can he just show up like that?"

Felix already heard the message from the waiter, still smiling, but the laughter didn’t reach his eyes.

"He’s not taking the usual popular route, plus this kid has always wanted to advertise Thorne’s bar."

This reason seemed reasonable, but Natalie still found it strange. Even without Theodore advertising, Zane Thorne had plenty of visitors every night.

Felix’s phone rang, and Natalie glanced over, for some reason sensing a vague premonition.

She saw Felix answer the call, say a few words, and then look back at her with a smile.

Natalie put down her glass, perhaps not even realizing that she had subconsciously sat up straight.

She heard the answer she wanted to hear.

"Mr. Thorne’s done over there, he’s on his way now."

Natalie’s eyes moved slightly, yet she couldn’t hide her inner delight. It had been two days since she saw Zane, and she was indeed looking forward to it.

Amidst a pleasant mood, Theodore’s singing sounded even better. Natalie thought she definitely had to be a good teacher and teach Theodore something seriously.

Phoebe Quinn was equally excited as this was her first meaningful close encounter with God Thorne.

"Nina, I love you so much."

Natalie glanced at her, a faint smile on her lips, bluntly pointing out.

"I’m just your tool for chasing stars."

Hearing this, Felix was curious.

Natalie then explained, and after listening, Felix looked at Phoebe with some surprise.

"Never thought you were also a fan of Mr. Thorne."

Indeed, when Zane was still active, he was spirited, arrogant, and flashy, and with that face and body, he did capture the hearts of many young girls. Thinking about this, Felix looked at Natalie again, with a bit of hesitation in his eyes. Could Natalie also have been a fan of Mr. Thorne before?

Natalie picked up the glass, taking a leisurely sip.

"What was Zane like when he was young?"

So it wasn’t the case.

Felix laughed and clinked glasses with Natalie.

"Back then in the racing scene, there was a saying: even losing a race to Zane Thorne was a great honor."

Because one would get to witness, the divine talent’s exquisite skill and the fearless drive and ambition he carried.

Zane Thorne, that name, represented the passion of racing.

Natalie’s heart warmed, the unrestrained figure she’d seen in her senior year of high school became clearer, and she blurted out.

"Then why did he stop racing?"

With such talent, such skill, still so young, still with so much passion.

Why did he stop racing?

As her voice fell, the private room suddenly fell silent, save for Theodore’s magnetic singing.

Natalie held her breath, staring straight at Felix, as did Phoebe, not daring to make a sound.

After an unknown amount of time, Felix set down his glass, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, took two strong puffs, and smirked.

"Sister-in-law."

Felix’s voice turned hoarse all of a sudden.

"There’s nobody who can persuade Mr. Thorne to do what he doesn’t want to do."

Who wouldn’t regret Cinnabar’s racing god suddenly retiring? Who wouldn’t want to continue watching Zane Thorne’s bold and free-spirited figure on the track?

But Zane didn’t want to anymore, didn’t want to race, didn’t want to compete.

Natalie’s hand tightened around her glass, the rim digging into her hand painfully. Through the smoke, she saw the regret on Felix’s face.

A noise came from the door, causing Natalie’s heart to flutter.

The man stood at the entrance; he seemed to have cut his hair, with the short cut reminding her of his young, audacious self from years ago.

As Zane Thorne walked in, Natalie’s eyes moved slightly. He was still handsome and sexy, and even the occasional glint in his eyes carried a hint of edginess and confidence, but he was different.

The Zane she’d heard stories of from Phoebe and Felix, the one from her memories, wasn’t the same as the man who had stepped down from the track, seemingly having put away his edge for a mature, steady persona shaped by unknown experiences.

His often furrowed brow seemed to harbor many secrets.

Natalie swallowed, her throat dry.

Seeing Zane come in, Felix instinctively tossed his cigarette over, which Zane caught and immediately threw onto the table.

"Put out the cigarette."

Felix was taken aback, puzzled, yet he extinguished the cigarette in his hand.

Zane sat beside Natalie, carrying a faint earthy scent, though his smoky fragrance overshadowed her discomfort.

Sitting down, Zane gazed at Natalie for a long time. He’d seen how harsh the people on the internet were earlier, but the person involved didn’t seem to be fazed.

Zane looked away.

Indeed, the young lady didn’t seem like someone lacking mental strength.

Natalie curled her finger, now that they were face to face, suddenly unsure what to say. Her emotions were still stirred by Felix’s earlier words.

Zane noticed the drink in Natalie’s hand, his brow furrowing, as he reached out to take the glass and then called for a waiter, asking for non-alcoholic drinks.

Natalie licked her lips.

"I want some milk."

But where in a bar would there be any milk?

Hearing this, Zane merely gave Natalie a deep look, then sent the waiter outside to buy some for her.

Felix and Phoebe sat across, silently watching the scene, deeply wondering about the progress of the two’s relationship.