CHAPTER 206: CHAPTER 206

First, he would offer him a position—an irresistible deal. And if the man refused?

Well. There were always other ways to make someone agree.

In the back of his mind, Leo thought of Pablo—the shadowy rival whose digital networks had remained untouchable for years. His own hackers had tried and failed to crack Pablo’s bases more times than he cared to count. But if this ghost with the wild pattern was brought to his side... Pablo’s empire would crumble overnight again like last time!

Leo’s eyes darkened, a glint of hunger flickering within them. "Hire him, steal him, chain him—I don’t care how. Just bring him to me."

Jeffery nodded. "Yes, sir."

And for the first time in weeks, Leo felt a spark of genuine anticipation.

If they found this wild hacker, victory against Pablo would finally be within reach.

Bella had no idea that in Leo’s office, his men were whispering about some legendary "old man hacker" who had baffled even the sharpest minds. If she knew she was the one they were all imagining with wrinkles and a long beard, she would have fainted on the spot. For now, she was simply sitting at the kitchen counter, twisting her fingers nervously. Tomorrow she was supposed to sneak out—without any bodyguards—for the first time. And her heart was already hammering like a drum.

Her mind wasn’t helping either. Every few minutes, she replayed the message from William Warren Wilson, the man she had agreed to meet. It felt surreal. He was such a respected figure, an empire-builder, and his grandsons were rumored to be waiting like vultures for his inheritance. Bella wanted to meet him not just for the job—but because something in her heart told her it mattered.

"Dear, why are you sitting here like a worried little squirrel?" Aunt Clara’s gentle voice broke into her thoughts. She appeared with a tray and set a chilled glass of mango juice in front of Bella, her eyes soft with concern.

Bella jolted, forcing a small laugh. "No, no... I’m fine. It’s just—Theo said today was his last class. He’s moving for training. So no more guitar lessons." Her voice dipped with sadness, and her lips formed a pout as if she had been robbed of candy.

Clara chuckled warmly, brushing Bella’s hair back like she was still a child. "Ah, so that’s why. You’ll miss him, hm?"

Bella nodded quickly, but she tried to cover it up by taking a big sip of the juice. "Yummy!!!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up exaggeratedly as if the sweetness alone could fix her broken heart.

Clara laughed even harder at that. "You silly girl. You hide your sadness behind food."

Bella finished the glass with a satisfied sigh, and when Clara took it back, she suddenly hopped off her chair. "I’ll bake something! That will help me feel better!"

"Bake??" Clara raised her brows but smiled knowingly. Bella always turned to cooking or baking whenever her emotions got too heavy.

"Yes! I saw this amazing recipe online yesterday—a chocolate lava cake." Bella clapped her hands together, excitement returning to her face. "It looks so gooey and melty. I want to try it!"

Clara shook her head fondly and leaned against the counter as Bella began bustling around. Flour, cocoa, eggs, sugar—she placed them all carefully on the counter, her brows furrowed in concentration. It was adorable, the way her small hands moved with so much determination even though she still measured by pouring things into her palm instead of using the proper cups.

Bella hummed softly as she mixed the batter, her mind temporarily distracted. Her cheeks were still a little red from earlier thoughts—tomorrow’s meeting, sneaking out, William’s mysterious request but she pushed it all aside for now.

When she broke the chocolate bars into pieces and melted them, her eyes sparkled like a child unwrapping gifts. "Ooooh, look how shiny!" she giggled, poking the melted chocolate with a spoon and then licking it off before Clara could scold her.

"You’ll spoil your appetite if you keep tasting like that," Clara teased.

"Nooo, that’s called chef’s privilege," Bella argued, puffing up her cheeks.

Finally, she poured the mixture into little ramekins and slid them into the oven, clapping her hands together like she had just won a battle. "Okay! Now we wait."

Clara just shook her head again, smiling secretly to herself.

When the oven timer rang, Bella nearly jumped out of her seat, rushing over with bright, eager eyes. She slipped on her oven mitts—pink, with little bunny ears stitched on top—and carefully pulled out the small ramekins. The rich smell of chocolate instantly filled the kitchen, warm and sweet, like a hug you could taste.

She set them down gently, biting her lip in anticipation as she grabbed a spoon and tapped the side of one cake. The top was soft, with a delicate crust that gave way under the lightest pressure. She cut into it slowly, and her smile widened when a glossy stream of molten chocolate spilled out from the center, oozing like dark silk across the plate.

"Ooooh," Bella whispered in awe, her eyes sparkling. "It worked! It really worked!" She clapped her hands together and twirled on the spot, unable to contain her happiness.

Though the cakes were a bit small, too tiny to share with everyone in the house, she didn’t mind. She promised herself she’d bake a big batch of chocolate cookies for everyone later. For now, this little lava cakes felt like her own personal treasure.

She carefully scooped a piece onto a spoon, blew on it, and popped it into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed slightly as she chewed, then her face lit up with pure joy. The cake was soft and fluffy on the outside, and the warm chocolate inside coated her tongue like velvet.

"It’s sooooo yummy!!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing in place.

Clara, amused by her enthusiasm, accepted when Bella shyly offered her a taste. She tried it with her usual composed expression but then let out a surprised laugh. "Bella, this is actually delicious!"

Bella’s whole face brightened at the praise. She pressed her palms to her cheeks, grinning like a child. "Really?? I made it properly??"

Clara nodded with a smile. "You did."

Still smiling, Bella placed the remaining cakes neatly into the fridge, careful not to spill a drop of chocolate. She gave one last happy glance at the plate, pride swelling in her chest. Baking really did make her feel lighter, calmer—as if every worry could melt away just like the chocolate inside the cake.