His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker. Chapter 139 The Hacker who saved his company

Next day, Bella could feel it the way Leo’s eyes stayed on her for a heartbeat longer when she ca downstairs, the way he brushed his thumb over her wrist when he handed her the salt at breakfast. Sothing in his gaze seed... softer. Or maybe heavier? She wasn’t sure but before she could figure it out, he was gone for work, as usual, leaving her with her thoughts and her quiet routine in the big house

anwhile, far away in the towering Moretti Group building, Leonardo was deep in his work. His huge office was bathed in cold daylight spilling through floor-to-ceiling windows. He was reviewing security updates on his laptop when a knock ca on the glass door. Leo didn’t look up. "Co in."

His assistant stepped in, nervous fingers clutching a folder to his chest. "Sir... Mr. Ford says he has a lead on the hacker you asked about."

The air shifted. Leo’s hands stilled on the keyboard. He slowly looked up, his eyes sharp and blank, like a blade catching light. "Send him in."

Monts later, Ford entered, every step careful. He was older than most of Leo’s team — his graying hair and the faint sll of stale coffee marked him as soone who’d spent his life buried in code and wires. He gave a polite nod.

"Mr. Moretti."

Leo gestured for him to sit opposite the massive desk. Silence filled the space, thick and heavy.

"Well?" Leo said, voice low.

Ford cleared his throat, fingers tapping the folder. "Sir, I’ve been working nonstop since you gave the order. Tracing the attack was easy compared to tracing the one who stopped it. Whoever they were, they covered their trail like a phantom."

Leo’s gaze stayed steady. "So you found who that hacker is."

Ford’s lips twitched, an oily smile threatening to break through. "Yes, sir. I did."

Silence again. Only the faint tick of the watch on Leo’s wrist.

Ford’s eyes glead behind his glasses. "You see, it wasn’t just a random freelance rcenary. This hacker — well, she’s young, from what I could gather. Very careful. Very good. But not good enough for to miss her digital footprints."

Leo leaned back in his chair, a slow, subtle motion. His fingers steepled under his chin. "She?" He didn’t blink.

Ford’s voice lowered, almost secretive. "Yes, sir. A woman. Rare in our world, but not unheard of. And the reason she stepped in to protect our systems... she didn’t do it out of goodwill."

A muscle ticked in Leo’s jaw. He hated slow reveals. His patience stretched thin, the one thing that made even his closest n sweat bullets.

"Then say it." His words snapped the quiet like glass under a boot.

Ford gave a little laugh, the kind that tried to hide a lie inside a truth. "She did it because soone asked her to. Or rather, soone she trusts. Family, maybe... or a very close friend."

Leo looked at him with sharp eyes.

Ford shifted in his chair, almost savoring the mont. "I know it’s delicate. But the na that kept popping up in encrypted channels... Stella Aldridge."

The silence this ti wasn’t just heavy. It was suffocating. Ford could feel his heartbeat drumming against his ribs as Leo’s dead-calm face stared straight through him.

"Stella Aldridge?" Leo repeated, like a snake tasting the air. He tilted his head, an unreadable smile flickering — cold, curious. "And you’re sure about this?"

Ford nodded eagerly. "Positive, sir. I confird it twice. Stella’s na was tied to it. She convinced this hacker to help us."

A long, uncomfortable pause.

Leo’s thumb tapped his desk once. Twice.

Ford took the silence as a sign to push. "If I may say so, sir... maybe it would be wise to reach out to Stella. So we can keep this... friend of hers close. We wouldn’t want any trouble later, would we?"

Leo’s eyes snapped back to Ford.

"You can take your leave now." Leo’s tone was so calm it was terrifying. "Leave the file."

Ford stood up fast, like prey catching the scent of a hunter’s teeth. He left the folder on the desk.

anwhile...

In the warm garden, Bella giggled when Theo lightly flicked her forehead for ssing up a chord. She stuck out her tongue playfully, earning an exaggerated sigh from him.

"You’re getting better," Theo said, tapping her guitar. "Maybe soon you’ll be playing sad love songs that make all the roses bloom, huh?"

Bella laughed sweetly "Maybe!"

After Theo left, Bella went straight to her room, flopped down on her bed, and pulled her laptop close. The minute she logged onto the hacker chat, a new ssage popped up:

BlackKnight: Hehehe! I’m officially holess again. I don’t even have money to buy a stupid plane ticket...*Crying*

Bella gasped, typing fast.

Bellatrix_019: WHAT?! Where are you sleeping then??

BlackKnight: Under a bridge. Next to a raccoon. We’re best friends now.

Bella’s eyes widened, her lips forming a round O.

Bellatrix_019: Really?! Don’t lie!

BlackKnight: Okay fine. Maybe it’s not a bridge. Maybe it’s a rooftop. Sa thing.

Bella pouted at her screen.

Bellatrix_019: Do you want to send you money for a ticket? I will!

BlackKnight: HAHAHA! How sweet. But no, my darling Bellatrix. Keep your cash for yourself now.

Bellatrix_019: But what if you get sick??

BlackKnight: I’m too strong. I’m the king of cockroaches. You know this.

Bella giggled, covering her mouth.

Bellatrix_019: Then what will you do? Just sleep there forever??

BlackKnight: Maybe I’ll sneak into your house and sleep under your bed.

Bella’s cheeks turned pink. She quickly typed:

Bellatrix_019: NO! That’s weird! I’ll get scared! I’ll think you’re a ghost!

BlackKnight: A sexy ghost.

Bella let out a tiny gasp.

Bellatrix_019: Stop! I’ll tell SyntaxQueen you’re bullying !

BlackKnight: She loves too much to care. Anyway... don’t forget — maybe I’ll appear next month! Can’t wait to see you.

Bellatrix_019: Hmph. Bring snacks if you co.

BlackKnight: Snacks? I’m holess!

Bellatrix_019: Then I’ll give you my snacks.

BlackKnight: You’re too cute. This is why SyntaxQueen wants to adopt you.

Bella rested her chin on her palm, a shy smile tugging her lips.

Bellatrix_019: Are you eating well?

BlackKnight: Ew. Stop acting like my mom.

Bellatrix_019: I’m serious!

BlackKnight: Fine. I’ll eat two-day-old pizza tonight. Happy?

Bellatrix_019: Disgusting. I’ll block you.

BlackKnight: HAHAHA! Go ahead. I’ll hack your phone.

Bella squeaked and quickly sent a flurry of angry emojis.