His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 517 - 417

"Why isn’t he picking up..." Bella murmured under her breath, her fingers tightening slightly around her phone as she stared at the screen, hoping his name would light up at any second. She bit her lower lip, worry quietly blooming in her chest. Tomorrow was the celebration, a day that felt too important to face without hearing his voice, without his reassurance or the calm certainty he always carried.

He must be busy, she told herself, forcing the thought to settle. It was the only explanation that made sense. No matter how occupied he was, he always found time to answer her calls, even if it was just a few seconds to check if she was alright.

Bella leaned back slightly, exhaling softly as her thumb hovered over his contact again, resisting the urge to call once more.

She did not want to disturb him, especially knowing how heavy his workload could be, but the worry gnawed at her quietly, refusing to settle. It felt like a slow ache beneath her ribs, growing sharper the longer the silence stretched. In the end, she sent him a simple message: Call me back when you’re free. She placed her phone beside her pillow and lay down, closing her eyes, but sleep refused to come easily. Her mind drifted in and out of awareness, hovering in that fragile space between waking and dreaming, where thoughts blurred into fragments of images, echoes of his voice, and fleeting, half formed worries that never fully took shape.

The next day...

The event was set to take place at another grand residence, and invitations had been sent to everyone close to Bella and William. Friends, family, and important figures whose presence would mark the night as unforgettable.

Bella stood in front of the mirror as she was dressed in a stunning charcoal colored gown. The fabric flowed elegantly around her, detailed with intricate, delicate work that caught the light with every subtle movement. It was modest in design, yet carried a refined, graceful allure that made her look effortlessly gorgeous. The color suited her beautifully, deep and rich against her skin, and she found herself gazing at her reflection longer than usual, almost in disbelief at how different she looked tonight.

"Ha ha! Sir really has good taste," the old maid remarked warmly, watching Bella with fond eyes. She had worked with William for decades, her presence carrying the comfort of familiarity and gentle nostalgia. "He used to pick outfits for his wife," she added softly, a faint sadness shadowing her expression at the mention of the woman who had passed away ten years ago.

Bella’s heart tightened at the change in her tone. Unsure what to say, she reached out and placed her hand over the maid’s rough, weathered one, squeezing it lightly in silent understanding. The maid blinked in surprise, then smiled at her with quiet gratitude, unfamiliar emotions glimmering in her gaze.

Soon after, the makeup artist stepped in, beginning the final touches with practiced care. Soft color brushed over Bella’s cheeks, her eyes were defined with gentle precision, and a subtle glow was added to enhance her natural features. Bella sat still, breathing slowly.

When she was finally ready, Bella looked at her reflection one last time and gave a small, quiet nod, as if grounding herself. The gown hugged her gently, the soft fabric moving like a trail of smoke around her as she walked. William’s car was already waiting, and she stepped inside, hands folded in her lap, heart beating a little faster with every turn of the road.

The event was being held in a luxurious mansion, glowing with warm lights and elegance, its entrance filled with guests, flowers, and soft music drifting through the air. Bella was taken straight to a private room, away from the noise and crowd, where William was already waiting for her. He turned when he heard the door, his eyes softening instantly when he saw her.

"Leo boy is coming, right?" William asked gently, though there was a trace of concern in his voice.

Bella’s lips pressed together. The entire Moretti family was already there, along with her friends and her studio circle. Rumi, Zara, Elliot, Deshawn, Kio. Faces she loved, people who felt like home. Everyone was present. Everyone... except him.

"He told me he’s coming," she said quietly, her brows knitting together, "but he isn’t picking up my calls."

William studied her face for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright," he said calmly, masking his worry. "People are already gathering downstairs. We cannot delay the whole event."

Bella hesitated, then nodded. "Let me ask Jay."

She called Jay, and within moments he entered the room, his expression gentle but alert. He could read Bella’s face instantly.

"Don’t worry, Bella Bell," Jay said softly, stepping closer. "Bro probably didn’t pick up because he’s on the way, resting, or stuck in traffic. You know him."

She searched his face, trying to believe it.

"It’s okay," William said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I’ll go downstairs and start the announcement. I’ll send a maid for you when it’s time."

Bella nodded again, swallowing her nerves.

William left, and the room suddenly felt quieter.

Jay stayed back with her, his presence comforting. He looked at her properly, then smiled warmly. "You look beautiful, as usual," he said honestly.

Bella smiled softly. "Thank you."

Jay pulled out his phone. "Let me call the assistant who went with him."

He made the call, turned slightly away, spoke in a low voice, then hung up. When he turned back, his face was serious for just a second.

"What?" Bella asked immediately, her heart jumping.

Then Jay broke into a gentle, reassuring smile. "Don’t worry," he said, rubbing her head lightly like he always did. "He’s just stuck somewhere. He said you can start the event. He might be a little late, but he’s coming."

Bella exhaled, the tension finally loosening in her chest. A deep breath escaped her lips, like she had been holding it in for too long.

"Really?" she whispered.

Jay nodded. "Really."

She closed her eyes for a second, then smiled, relief washing over her face.

Jay chuckled softly. "See? Your lion king isn’t missing this night for anything."