His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 656 Mira

Meanwhile, Bella stood in the middle of the bustling campus, clutching her admit card like it was a lifeline. Students rushed past her in every direction, laughing, talking, checking their phones, their faces a blur of confidence and chaos. She had never felt so lost in her life.

The building loomed ahead of her, massive and intimidating, with hallways branching off in what seemed like a hundred directions. She had no idea where she was supposed to go. No idea which staircase led to which floor. No idea how anyone ever found anything in this maze of concrete and glass.

Her heart pounded.

She had studied for this. She had prepared for this. She knew the material backward and forward. But none of that mattered if she couldn’t even find the exam hall.

She looked down at her admit card, then up at the building, then back at her admit card.

Nothing. The words blurred together. Room numbers meant nothing to her. She didn’t know the campus. She didn’t know the layout. She had never done this before.

If she stood here much longer, she would miss the exam entirely.

She needed to ask someone.

Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a friendly face, someone who looked like they knew where they were going. Students in groups, students alone, students on phones, students running late. None of them looked approachable.

Then she spotted a girl standing near the entrance, wearing a volunteer badge and holding a clipboard. She had large glasses perched on her nose, the kind that made her eyes look huge and bright. Behind the lenses, Bella could see beautiful dark eyes, warm and intelligent and kind. Her hair was braided neatly, falling over one shoulder, and she wore a simple college volunteer t-shirt over comfortable jeans.

She looked approachable. She looked like she knew things.

Bella took a breath and walked toward her.

"Excuse me."

The girl looked up from her clipboard, pushing her glasses up her nose. Her eyes met Bella’s, and she smiled, easy and open, the kind of smile that made you feel like you had known her for years.

"Yes?" she said.

Bella held out her admit card, her hand trembling slightly. "I don’t know where this is. I’ve never taken an exam here before. I don’t know where to go."

The girl took the admit card, glanced at it, then nodded. "Oh, this is easy. It’s in the west wing, second floor. Room 204."

Bella stared at her blankly. "Where is the west wing?"

The girl blinked. Then she laughed, not mean or mocking, just genuinely amused. "First time on campus?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"A little." The girl smiled again, softer this time. "Don’t worry. I’ll take you. Follow me."

She turned and started walking, her clipboard tucked under her arm, her braid swinging behind her. Bella hurried to catch up, clutching her bag, her admit card, and her nerves.

"I’m Mira, by the way," the girl said over her shoulder. "Volunteer coordinator. Which means I get to stand around and point people in the right direction all day."

"Bella," Bella said. "Exam taker. Which means I get to stand around and feel completely lost until someone kind rescues me."

Mira laughed. "You’re not lost anymore. I’ve got you."

They walked through the crowded hallway together, Mira weaving through the clusters of students with ease, Bella following close behind. The building was less intimidating now with someone leading the way.

"How did you end up here without ever seeing the campus?" Mira asked.

"It’s a long story," Bella said.

"I’ve got time."

Bella hesitated. Then she said, "I was homeschooled. And then I was new here, so..." She stopped. "It’s a really long story."

Mira glanced back at her, her dark eyes curious but not pushy. "Well, I’m glad you’re here now. Better late than never, right?"

Bella smiled. "Right."

They reached a staircase, and Mira led her up, her steps quick and confident. "So what exam are you taking?"

"Placement test. Computer Science."

Mira’s eyebrows rose. "Wow. Fancy."

"I’m not fancy. I just like computers."

"Same thing." Mira pushed open a door at the top of the stairs, revealing a long hallway lined with numbered doors. "Here we are. Room 204. West wing. Second floor. Told you I’d find it."

Bella looked at the door, then at Mira. "Thank you. Really. I would have been wandering around for hours."

Mira waved a hand. "That’s what I’m here for. Now go. Ace your exam. Make me proud."

Bella laughed. "I’ll try."

She turned toward the door, then stopped. "Mira?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you be here after? In case I get lost again?"

Mira grinned. "I’ll be right where you found me. Clipboard and all."

Bella smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "Okay. See you later."

"Good luck, Bella."

Bella pushed open the door and walked into the exam hall, her heart still pounding but her steps a little lighter.

Bella followed the stream of students into the exam hall, her heart beating a steady rhythm against her ribs. The room was vast, filled with rows of computers, their screens dark and waiting. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a pale glow over everything. The air smelled like paper and nervous energy.

She found the designated area for bags near the entrance, a long table covered with backpacks, purses, and jackets. She slipped her bag off her shoulder, placed it carefully among the others, and tucked her admit card, ID card, and pencil case into her hands. Everything else stayed behind.

She patted her pocket to make sure her ID was there. It was.

She walked deeper into the hall, her flats silent on the tiled floor. Students were scattered across the room, some already seated at their assigned computers, others milling around, talking in low voices.

An invigilator stood near the front, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a kind smile. She was wearing a blue blazer and holding a clipboard, checking names and pointing people to their seats.

Bella approached her, holding out her admit card.

"Name?" the woman asked.

"Isabella Moretti."

The woman scanned her list, found her name, and nodded. "Row four, seat twelve. Your computer is already set up. You have ten minutes before we begin."

Bella thanked her and made her way to her seat.

Row four. Seat twelve.

She found it easily, a small desk with a computer monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and a single sheet of scratch paper. A pencil was already resting on the desk, sharpened and waiting.

She sat down, her knees bumping the underside of the desk. She adjusted her chair, placed her pencil case on the corner of the desk, and tucked her ID card where she could see it.