His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 502 Office injustice

"That’s... unexpected," Bella said softly, her voice carrying a mix of disbelief and quiet wonder as she stared ahead through the car window.

Leo nodded once, his expression calm but watchful, the kind of calm that came from already calculating every possible consequence. Yesterday’s revelation was still shocking to both of them. William’s words, the the DNA report, the sudden shift in her identity into the granddaughter of a man powerful enough to shake entire industries all felt unreal, like a dream she had not fully woken from yet.

"He wants to announce you officially," Leo said after a moment, his tone even. "A formal celebration. In front of everyone." He lifted his hand, his thumb brushing gently along her jawline, grounding her. "Are you okay with that?"

Bella inhaled slowly. "Yeah," she said after a pause, a small smile forming. "I think... I’m happy. A little scared, but happy." Her smile faded slightly as another thought surfaced. "I’m just worried about his grandsons. He mentioned them before. He said they’re... cunning. And isn’t that the same reason I worked with him, to increase security..." She trailed off, unease flickering in her eyes.

Leo’s gaze hardened for just a second before softening again as he leaned closer. "Don’t worry," he said quietly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "I’m with you. As long as I’m here, no one touches you."

She nodded, trusting him without question.

The car moved smoothly through the city, sunlight glinting off glass buildings as they headed toward his company. Bella glanced down at herself, adjusting the disguise she wore, sharp cut trousers, a loose blazer, her hair tucked neatly away. From the outside, she looked like just another young man heading to work, anonymous and unremarkable.

It had been a long time since she had stepped into the office.

But as soon as she entered—

"Did you take a long leave?" the man asked suddenly, his sharp features tightening as he looked straight at Bella. There was irritation in his eyes.

Bella blinked, caught off guard by the directness. "Yes...?" she replied carefully, keeping her voice steady. "Why are you asking me?"

He let out a short, humorless laugh. "Why am I asking?" he repeated, his tone rising. "Because it’s unfair. You only work three days a week, then disappear for days. And your salary is higher than most of us." He gestured sharply around him. "We grind here every single week, worrying if our pay will even be approved on time, while you take leave whenever you want. This is office injustice."

Murmurs spread immediately. A few people nodded. Others exchanged glances, the tension thickening in the air. A low buzz rippled through the section. Bella felt her face grow warm. She had not prepared for this.

"Hey, don’t," Jeffrey cut in quickly, stepping forward with a nervous frown. "Kottie, calm down. Maybe he has a reason." He glanced at Bella, then back at the others. "Isaac is good at what he does. And you know the boss personally assigned him. There must be something we don’t know."

Kottie turned on him instantly. "Shut up, Jeffrey," he snapped. "Don’t talk in the middle of this." His eyes flicked back to Bella, sharper now. "You always defend him. Why? Because he’s the boss’s favorite?"

A few people behind Kottie nodded in agreement, their expressions a mix of frustration and jealousy. The room felt smaller, heavier. Bella swallowed, her hands curling slowly at her sides. She could hear Leo’s voice in her head:

Don’t engage. Don’t give them emotion.

"I didn’t ask for special treatment," Bella said at last, her voice quiet but firm. "And I don’t owe anyone an explanation about my leave."

Kottie scoffed. "See? That attitude. Like you’re above everyone else."

"That’s not fair," Jeffrey said, more firmly this time. "You don’t know what he’s dealing with. None of us do."

Bella lifted her gaze, meeting Kottie’s eyes directly. "If you think working more days automatically makes someone more valuable," she said slowly, choosing each word with care, "then you’re angry at the wrong person. Take it upstairs. Don’t put it on me."

The room went quiet.

Some people looked uncomfortable. Others looked surprised. Kottie clenched his jaw but said nothing, clearly not expecting her to stand her ground so calmly.

"Son of a bi*ch," Kottie muttered under his breath, the words low but poisonous, heavy with resentment he no longer bothered to hide.

Bella heard it.

Her breath caught.

Her eyes widened just a fraction, not in anger, but in shock. She had not expected it to go this far.

Kottie straightened, his frustration finally spilling over. "Even if we’re valuable," he said bitterly, his voice rising now, "we never get treated like you. Never." He laughed once, harsh and hollow. "No. I can’t do this."

He shoved his chair back with a sharp scrape against the floor, the sound making several people flinch.

"That’s enough," Jeffrey said quickly, standing up. "Kottie, stop it. You’re crossing a line."

"Am I?" Kottie snapped, turning on him. "Or are you just too scared to say what everyone else is thinking?" He gestured wildly around the room. "Look at them. Look at their faces."

A few people looked away. A few looked conflicted. One or two looked uncomfortable but said nothing.

Bella stood frozen in the middle of it all, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She felt small, painfully aware of every gaze, every judgment.

She remained there for a moment longer, the noise around her slowly dulling, as if her mind had stepped slightly aside to think on its own. As uncomfortable as the situation was, a quiet, heavy truth began to settle in her chest.

They were not completely wrong.

She had watched them stay long after office hours, eyes bloodshot from staring at glowing screens, fingers moving endlessly across keyboards that never seemed to rest. She had noticed the tired smiles that tried to pass as enthusiasm, the forced jokes meant to lighten heavy moods, the quiet frustration that settled in when lines of code refused to cooperate. And still, no matter how drained they looked, they returned the next morning and began again, carrying the same weight without complaint.

Compared to that, her own schedule suddenly felt too light.

Too easy.