His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.

Chapter 671 First day of collage (1)

Bella looked out the window at the campus. Students were streaming through the gates, some alone, some in groups, all of them with somewhere to be. The buildings were old and beautiful, ivy crawling up their walls, the morning light making everything glow.

"I should go," she said.

"Not yet."

"Leo—"

"One more minute."

She settled back against the seat, her hand still in his. The car was warm, the leather soft, his presence grounding.

"What if I say something stupid?" she asked.

He smiled, amused. "You never say anything stupid."

"You’re biased."

"I’m honest." He turned to face her, his gray eyes holding hers. "You’re going to walk into that building, find your classroom, sit down, and impress everyone. Because that’s what you do. That’s who you are."

Her eyes glistened. "You really think so?"

"I know so." He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing her cheeks. "You’re brilliant, Bella. You’re kind. You’re stronger than you know. And anyone who doesn’t see that isn’t worth your time."

She leaned into his touch, her eyes closing, and he kissed her forehead softly. "Now go. Before you’re late."

She opened her eyes, took a breath, and nodded.

He released her hand, and she opened the car door. The morning air was cool on her face, the sounds of the campus rushing in: footsteps, chatter, laughter.

She stepped out, slung her bag over her shoulder, and turned back to look at him.

He was watching her through the open door, his gray eyes deep.

"Text me when you’re inside," he said.

"I will."

"And if you need anything—"

"I know." She smiled. "You’ll handle it."

"Always."

She closed the door, took a breath, and walked toward the campus gates.

Behind her, the car waited, and Leo watched, his heart full, his eyes never leaving her until she disappeared into the crowd.

Bella pulled out her phone, checking her schedule one more time. Her first lecture wasn’t for another forty-five minutes. She had time. Time to explore, to wander, to let the nervous energy in her chest settle.

She opened the campus map on her phone. Leo had installed it himself, marked all the important buildings, even added little notes about where to find the best coffee and which bathrooms were always clean. She smiled at the screen, her heart warm.

He had also told her, very seriously, that he had sent his own people onto campus. Some as students, some as staff, some blending into the background as visitors. They would watch. They would protect. She wouldn’t even know they were there.

"You won’t see them," he had said, "but they’ll see everything."

She had rolled her eyes, but secretly, she was grateful.

The campus was beautiful in the morning light: old brick buildings with ivy crawling up their walls, wide pathways lined with trees, a fountain in the distance spraying water into the air. Students walked past her in clusters, laughing, talking, their backpacks bouncing with each step.

Bella wandered without direction, letting her feet guide her. She passed the library, a massive stone building with tall arched windows. She passed the student union, where groups of students sat on the steps, coffee cups in hand. She passed a small garden tucked between two buildings, flowers blooming in shades of pink and yellow.

She was smiling, her nerves fading, when she heard it.

"You’re annoying!"

The voice was sharp, angry, cutting through the peaceful morning.

"You’re blind! The biggest blind girl I’ve ever seen!"

Bella stopped, her head turning toward the sound. A few feet away, near the entrance of a building, a guy was shouting at a girl with glasses. His face was red, his hands gesturing wildly, his finger pointing at the girl’s forehead.

The girl stood frozen, her shoulders hunched, her face pale. Her glasses were slightly crooked, and her dark hair was pulled back in a messy braid. She looked like she wanted to disappear.

Bella’s eyes widened.

Mira.

The girl from the exam. The volunteer who had helped her find her way, who had walked her to the west wing, who had smiled and said, "You’re not lost anymore."

Bella’s feet moved before she thought about it.

"Mira?"

The girl’s head snapped up. Her eyes, behind those large glasses, went wide with surprise.

"Isabella?"

The guy stopped mid-shout, his hand still raised, his mouth still open. He turned to look at Bella, his expression shifting from anger to confusion.

He was tall, taller than Bella by at least a head. His dark hair was fluffy, falling across his forehead in soft waves that looked like they had never seen a comb. His eyes were beautiful: deep black, like polished stones, framed by long lashes. His skin was warm, fair with a golden undertone, and his features were sharp yet soft at the same time. He was beautiful. The kind of beautiful that made people stop and stare.

"Mira," Bella said again, walking toward them. "Are you okay?"

Mira’s cheeks flushed. She pushed her glasses up her nose, a nervous habit. "I... yes. I’m fine. This is..." She glanced at the guy, then back at Bella. "This is Karl. Karl, this is Isabella. My friend."

Friend.

The word made Bella’s heart swell. Mira had called her friend.

"Hi," Bella said, turning to Karl with a warm smile. "I’m Bella. Nice to meet you."

Karl stared at her.

His mouth was still open, but no words came out. His dark eyes traveled over her face, her hair, her soft cardigan, her simple jeans. He looked like he had forgotten how to breathe.

"Nice to meet you," he said finally, his voice quieter now, almost gentle. He extended his hand.

Bella took it. His grip was careful, almost hesitant.

"Karl," she said, pulling her hand back, "is everything okay? I heard you shouting."

Karl’s face flushed. He glanced at Mira, then back at Bella, his jaw tightening.

"It’s nothing," he said. "Just... Mira being Mira."

Mira looked down at her shoes, her shoulders curling inward.

Bella’s smile faded. "That didn’t sound like nothing."

Karl ran a hand through his fluffy hair, frustrated. "You don’t understand."

"Then explain."

He hesitated. His dark eyes flicked to Mira, then back to Bella. Something passed over his face: anger, yes, but also something else. Worry. Fear.

"It’s not about her," he said finally. "It’s about someone else."

Bella waited.

Karl looked at Mira again, and Mira shook her head slightly, a silent plea.

Karl’s jaw tightened. "Forget it," he muttered. "It’s none of your business."

He turned and walked away, his hands shoved in his pockets, his shoulders tense.

Mira watched him go, her expression sad.