CHAPTER 364: CHAPTER 364 CONNECTING CLUES

Meanwhile, Jace was still rubbing his temples in disbelief when his phone buzzed again, and this time, it was Jay calling to say he wanted to join him too.

He glanced across the room at the chaos in front of him. Dominic was sprawled half over the couch, his expensive shirt wrinkled beyond recognition, holding a glass he had no business refilling. Jason was half-asleep on the floor, mumbling something about life, and Zeke—well, Zeke was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, looking surprisingly composed for someone who had definitely had too much to drink, his expression blankly serene like he had accepted his fate.

Jace sighed. This was not what he had planned. "Guys..." he said, his tone carrying the patience of a saint.

"Yes..." Dominic drawled dramatically, rolling his eyes and tipping his head back, his hair falling into his face. He looked every bit the charming, drunk disaster of the modeling world.

"Listen," Jace said slowly, trying to keep his voice steady, "my friend’s coming here. You all don’t mind, right?"

Jason, who had somehow managed to fall asleep on his back with one hand still holding a chip, suddenly raised his other arm in the air like a soldier reporting for duty. "I don’t mind, Jacey!!!" he shouted cheerfully before collapsing back onto the floor, earning a snort from Dominic.

Zeke, the only one even remotely coherent, lifted his hand in a lazy half-wave. "Sure," he muttered. "The more the merrier. Maybe he’ll bring snacks."

Jace sighed again but couldn’t help a small smile. "He’s not bringing snacks," he said under his breath, sending Jay the address anyway.

About twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang, and Jace went to open it. The moment the door swung open, a familiar head of pink hair appeared, and Jace blinked, surprised by the flash of genuine warmth that crossed his chest. "You actually came here even with that injury. I’m surprised," he said, smiling slightly.

Jay grinned, his eyes crinkling in that easy, boyish way. "You think I’d miss a chance to hang out? No way."

But the moment Jay stepped inside, the room went silent—well, as silent as it could get with Jason’s soft snoring in the background. Dominic blinked at him once, then twice, clearly trying to process who this stranger was. Zeke looked equally confused, though too polite to ask outright.

"Uh... Jace? Who’s this adorable cotton candy man?" Dominic asked finally, leaning forward and squinting at Jay’s soft pink hair.

"Everyone, meet Jay," Jace said simply, trying not to laugh. "My best friend."

Jay raised his bandaged hands in a friendly wave. "Hey," he said brightly, unfazed by the curious stares.

Zeke nodded a little, though his eyes flicked toward the bandages peeking from under Jay’s shirt sleeves. There was a faint seriousness in his expression, but before he could ask, Jason suddenly sat up, eyes glassy from drink, and blurted, "BROOO... your arms..."

Jay blinked. "Oh—this?" He looked down at his bandages and grinned sheepishly. "Got some injuries. It’s nothing serious."

Jason’s bottom lip wobbled. "You’re hurt," he said, his voice oddly emotional. "That’s so... tragic."

And to Jace’s horror—and everyone else’s amusement—Jason started crying.

"Oh my god," Dominic groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Why are you crying? He’s fine!"

"I’m crying for humanity!" Jason wailed dramatically, pointing at Jay. "He’s so cute and injured!"

Jay laughed so hard he had to sit down beside Zeke, who muttered, "You’ll get used to him."

And just like that, the tension in the room vanished. Jay fit in effortlessly, joining their laughter, teasing Jason back, and even making Dominic laugh so loudly he nearly fell off the couch.

Watching them, Jace leaned back against the wall, a faint smile touching his lips.

Jay fit into their group like he had always belonged there. Within minutes, his quick wit and playful humor matched perfectly with the group’s energy. He teased Jason effortlessly, laughed at Zeke’s dry remarks, and even got Dominic to admit he had once fallen off a runway because of his own reflection. It was loud, ridiculous, and strangely comforting.

"Alright, alright, just one drink," Jay had said earlier, holding up his hands defensively. But when Dominic shoved a glass toward him with a grin that could convince the devil himself, Jay gave in. "Fine. But if I pass out, you’re responsible!"

"You? Pass out?" Dominic laughed, already pouring. "You’ve got the face of a sinner and the tolerance of a saint. Let’s test which one’s true!"

And to no one’s surprise, after a few rounds, Jay was a little pink in the face, laughing too easily but still steady enough to keep up with their nonsense. He leaned against the armrest beside Zeke, who just shook his head in quiet amusement as Jason started singing something about friendship and life.

Then, out of nowhere, Dominic—who had been laughing uncontrollably at Jason’s off-key performance—suddenly grew serious. "You know," he slurred, swirling his drink with a faraway look, "life is... stupid."

Jay blinked, unsure if he should laugh or nod. "I mean... yeah?"

"No, no, no!" Dominic pointed at him dramatically. "You don’t get it! People think models have it easy—pretty face, good body, fame, money—but no one ever asks if we can code, man."

Jay snorted, covering his mouth. "Wait, what?"

"Code!" Dominic declared proudly. "And yes, I am also a part-time popular hacker!"

"You? A hacker?" Jay asked, biting back a grin. "Bro, the only thing you probably hacked was your own modeling schedule," he joked.

Dominic gasped, offended. "Excuse me, pink boy, I was a legend!"

Then he suddenly looked sad. "Do you know, I have a hacker bestie... we’re all friends together, and we came specially here to meet her, but fate had other plans..." he said.

"So you all are hackers?" he asked, shocked.

And Jace replied this time, "Yeah, we’re hackers."

"Listen to me... my bestie’s husband turned out to be the one I owe money to... and I believe if he finds out, I might be dead the next day... who’s going to save me?!" Dominic cried.

Meanwhile, Jay’s mind started connecting clues.

Jace was Bella’s friend. He knew computers. Jace’s friends were all hackers. Jace’s bestie and Bella’s bestie, Scarlett, worked in something related to computers...

If they were all hackers, did that mean...?

Shock appeared on Jay’s face.