CHAPTER 212: CHAPTER 212 DISGUISE (2)

She slipped into a small electronics shop tucked in the corner of the mall. The shelves gleamed with rows of phones, chargers, and accessories. Without hesitation, she walked up to the counter.

"I need a new SIM card," she said, lowering her tone to sound less girlish.

The shopkeeper adjusted his glasses. "ID?"

"I forgot the hard copy," she said calmly, "but I have the e-copy."

The man frowned but nodded. "Show me."

Bella tapped the screen, and within seconds, an official-looking digital file popped up. The name at the top glowed in bold letters: Isaac Snow. The picture matched her disguise perfectly—the floppy dark hair, the jawline, even the slight shadow she had added with makeup earlier.

The shopkeeper studied it for a moment, then shrugged. "Good enough."

"Thank you," she said in that smooth, even tone that no one could connect to the sweet Isabella they were all protecting upstairs.

The shopkeeper finished typing in the details, then looked up politely. "Alright, Sir, the SIM is ready. Can I have your phone so I can put it in for you?"

Bella kept her expression calm, though inside her mind was already two steps ahead. She gave him a small shake of her head. "Actually, I don’t want to use my old phone. I’m thinking of buying a new one instead."

His brows lifted a little, surprised but quick to adjust. "Of course, no problem. Do you have a brand in mind? We’ve got the latest models here—Android, Apple, even some budget-friendly ones." He leaned forward, gesturing to the glass counter lined with boxes.

Bella tapped her fingers lightly against the counter, pretending to think it over. "Something simple, reliable... not flashy. Black."

"Black?" the shopkeeper repeated with a faint chuckle, pulling out two sleek boxes from the shelf. "You sound like someone who values practicality. Here—this one’s the newest release, excellent camera, long battery life. And this one is a little lighter, very handy."

She studied them in silence, her sharp eyes tracing the smooth edges of the devices. Finally, she pointed at the lighter one. "That one."

"Good choice," he said with a smile, already preparing the box. "It’s durable, stylish, and we’re giving a one-year warranty."

Bella gave a small nod. "Perfect. Set it up with the new SIM, please."

"As you wish," the shopkeeper replied, carefully unboxing the sleek black phone. He slotted in the SIM with practiced ease before handing it to her. "There you go, ready to use."

She slid the phone into her pocket with casual ease, as if it were just another errand crossed off her list. "Thanks," she said simply, her tone light, though the quiet relief in her chest told another story. The shopkeeper then added a charger, a phone cover, and a pair of headphones onto the counter. Bella gave a small nod of thanks and slipped them neatly into her bag before leaving.

Walking out of the store, she adjusted her jacket.

When she went outside no guard suspected because she had set her location into one beauty spa. Every man Leo had stationed around the mall believed she was still inside, their screens flashing her digital "presence" comfortably tucked away in the spa’s lounge. Some even exchanged casual glances, thinking their job would be easy for the rest of the afternoon.

Sliding a hand into her pocket, Bella pulled out the new phone she’d bought. The screen flickered to life with her fresh SIM—Isaac Snow. A new identity. A new life. At least for the day. She smiled faintly, her reflection caught in the glass doors of a mall, and even she had to admit—she looked nothing like herself.

Without hesitation, she stepped deeper into the bustling street, her figure swallowed by the crowd. She was free, and Leo’s entire system had no idea.

***

Bella used her new phone to book a cab, her fingers trembling with a mix of nerves and exhilaration. It was such a simple thing—just pressing a few buttons on a ride-sharing app but for her it felt like an adventure, something she had never been allowed to do before. As the car arrived and she slipped into the backseat, she could barely keep the grin off her face. I booked this myself... no bodyguards, no restrictions. Just me.

The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror, probably seeing only a polite young man with floppy dark hair and sharp brown eyes. Bella sat upright, trying to keep her excitement contained, though her heart was beating wildly. She gave the driver the address, and he nodded before pulling onto the main road.

Bella bent down slightly and pressed the latch on her heel. The wheels slid back into the soles with a soft click, leaving her shoes looking like ordinary sneakers again.

When the cab finally pulled up before a towering commercial glass building, Bella’s breath caught. The sleek mirrored panels stretched up into the sky, reflecting the city lights and passing clouds, as if the whole structure belonged to another world. So this is it... William Warren Wilson’s company.

Pushing her shoulders back, she stepped out of the cab and smoothed her jacket. Every detail of her disguise was in place. Her jaw tightened with a nervous thrill as she walked through the tall revolving doors into the lobby.

Inside, the cool air carried the faint scent of polished marble and fresh lilies in tall vases. The receptionist’s desk gleamed beneath the golden lights, and the young woman seated behind it looked up immediately as Bella approached.

"I have an appointment with Mr. William Wilson," Bella said, her voice low and steady.

The receptionist blinked, her eyes swept over Bella’s sharp outfit, the confidence in his stance. She gave a polite nod and quickly dialed a number on her sleek office phone. Her tone changed as she spoke, crisp and respectful, while Bella stood calmly, fighting the urge to fidget.

When she hung up, the receptionist’s expression had shifted completely. There was a new weight in her gaze, almost cautious, almost reverent. She straightened in her seat, as though realizing this visitor wasn’t someone to be taken lightly.

"Sir, someone will come down to fetch you shortly," she said, her tone respectful now, addressing Bella as though she were indeed a distinguished young man. She stepped out from behind the desk and gestured toward a side area. "In the meantime, would you like to have anything? Coffee? Tea? Refreshments?"