CHAPTER 213: CHAPTER 213 CONFIDENTIAL

Bella followed her into a lounge area furnished with leather chairs, a low glass table, and neatly arranged magazines. A faint hum of conversation from other visitors floated in the background, though no one paid her much attention. She sank into one of the seats, her heartbeat still quick, and glanced at her reflection in the surface of the table.

Soon, the sound of footsteps approached the lounge. Bella lifted her gaze just as a man appeared—a lean figure in a sharp suit, his dark hair combed neatly, and a composed air about him. His expression was polite at first, but when his eyes landed on Bella, they widened noticeably.

For the briefest second, he looked stunned, almost disbelieving. He had clearly expected someone older, perhaps the shadowy figure of a reclusive hacker with gray hair and worn hands—not the strikingly young man sitting before him. His lips parted, then curved into an almost reverent smile.

He believed it, Bella realized, relief mixing with a spark of excitement as she rose to her feet and walked over to him.

"So you’re... Bellatrix zero nineteen," he said, his voice carrying a mix of awe and respect. His eyes flashed, not with suspicion but amazement, as though he were standing before a legend come to life.

Bella straightened her shoulders, allowing a faint smile to play on her lips. She spoke in a calm, confident tone, lowering her voice just enough to sound more masculine. "Hello. I’m Isaac Snow. Bellatrix zero nineteen."

The name landed like a thunderclap in the quiet lounge. Simon’s posture immediately stiffened, almost as if he were in the presence of royalty. "My apologies for keeping you waiting. I am Simon," he said, offering a hand, clearly flattered. "It’s an honor to meet you."

Bella shook his hand firmly, suppressing the nervous flutter in her stomach. His grip was respectful, almost cautious, as if afraid to offend the infamous figure.

"Likewise," Bella replied smoothly.

Simon’s respect only deepened, and with a slight bow of his head, he gestured for her to follow. "Please, come with me. Mr. Wilson is waiting upstairs."

They walked together through the polished corridors of the glass building, their footsteps echoing softly.

Simon stopped before a heavy door with a brass plate, knocked twice, and waited.

"Come in," a deep, older voice called from inside.

Bella’s pulse jumped.

The office was minimalistic yet elegant, a perfect balance of white and dark tones, softened by the presence of green potted plants that brought life into the otherwise sharp space. The air smelled faintly of sandalwood and leather, calm yet commanding.

Behind a wide desk sat an elderly man in executive chair. His frame was thin, his face lined with age and fatigue, but his presence was undeniable. Even seated, he radiated authority. His sharp, calculating eyes studied Bella the instant she stepped in, and though his body seemed worn, his mind looked anything but weak.

"You’re here," the old man said slowly, his tired voice holding both weariness and weight.

Bella drew a quiet breath, feeling the weight of his gaze. She bowed her head slightly, allowing just the right mix of humility and confidence to show. "Yes. Thank you for meeting me, Mr. Wilson."

William’s gaze softened as he nodded, a faint smile curling his lips. Then he turned toward Simon. "Arrange snacks and juice," he instructed.

Simon gave a respectful nod and slipped out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him. The sudden silence seemed heavier, the soundproofed walls wrapping the two of them in a private sphere.

William lifted a hand and gestured gracefully toward the chair opposite his desk. "Please, sit. I am honored to finally meet you, Bellatrix." His tone carried warmth, but also reverence, as though he were speaking to someone far above his station.

Bella lowered herself onto the chair with composed elegance, crossing one leg over the other just like she had seen Leo do countless times. Her voice was steady when she corrected him, her tone low and deliberate. "Isaac," she said simply.

William’s eyes gleamed with approval, his smile broadening. "Isaac," he repeated, tasting the name as though sealing it into his memory. He had heard endless stories on the encrypted webs, always the same: Bellatrix_019 never revealed an identity, never met anyone face-to-face. And yet here he was, sitting across from him.

"I must admit," William continued, leaning back in his chair with a sigh that carried both pride and exhaustion, "I did not expect you to agree. Everyone told me I would be wasting my time, that you were only a ghost behind a screen. But I am glad I did not listen."

Bella tilted her head slightly, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. Inside, her nerves were racing, but she forced herself to maintain the mask of calm.

William’s tone shifted, deepening. "So, I will not waste your time with empty flattery. Let me be direct. This building—this is my heart. The very first one I built with my own hands, where everything started. I have poured billions into it, not just as an office, but as a fortress. Every corner is integrated with systems, every door, every wall designed to be part of a greater network."

He paused, his sharp eyes locking onto Bella’s face. "But what use is steel and glass, if a single crack can destroy it? That is why I need you. Not just to build another layer of defense, but to create something unbreakable."

Bella listened quietly, her fingertips brushing against the edge of her tablet bag, fighting the urge to take notes. Her hacker’s mind was already spinning, analyzing possibilities. Still, she needed clarity. She leaned forward slightly, her voice calm but pointed. "What kind of system are you asking me to create? What kind of ’tech’ would need hacking skills to secure it?"

William’s lips tightened, and for the first time, there was something raw in his eyes. He exhaled slowly before answering.

"This is not about ordinary data. What I am protecting goes far beyond that." His gaze darkened as he lowered his voice. "There are... assets in this building. Artificial intelligence prototypes, weapon-grade software, and confidential research worth more than empires. If it falls into the wrong hands, not only my company, but my entire bloodline will collapse."