His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 519 Where are you, Leo?

Although Bella kept smiling politely at the guests around her, her heart was nowhere near the conversations. Her eyes kept drifting toward the grand entrance, searching every time the doors opened, hoping to catch a familiar tall silhouette.

When will he come?

The thought circled her mind again and again.

He had promised. He always kept his promises. Yet the longer the evening stretched on, the heavier the worry in her chest became. She lifted her phone once, resisted the urge to call again, then slipped it back into her clutch, forcing herself to remain composed.

Then, as she turned slightly to greet another guest, a flicker of movement at the edge of her vision made her pause.

Alexa.

She stood near the edge of the crowd, draped in an expensive gown that hugged her noticeably pregnant belly. Her stomach was round and prominent, impossible to ignore, one hand resting over it in a possessive, almost performative manner. The lights reflected off her jewelry, but her posture looked tense.

Bella’s smile faltered for a brief moment before she recovered.

Their eyes met.

Alexa’s expression twisted instantly, irritation flickering across her face like a crack in porcelain.

Bella noticed Freya was not by Alexa’s side.

A quiet breath of relief escaped her, and she smiled faintly.

So Theo really helped her leave. At least Freya was safe now, away from Alexa’s shadow.

But from where Alexa stood, the scene looked very different.

To Alexa, that small smile looked like mockery. Like victory.

Her fingers curled slightly over her belly.

So she’s enjoying this.

Enjoying her new status. Her attention. Her perfect little life.

Alexa’s gaze hardened, dark thoughts moving beneath the polite mask she wore in public.

Across the hall, Bella forced herself to refocus on the celebration, even as her heart whispered the same anxious question again.

Where are you, Leo?

"Hey."

Bella turned at the sound of a blunt, unfamiliar voice.

She looked up to see Ashton standing in front of her, tall and sharp-featured, his posture relaxed but his expression far from warm. There was no polite curiosity on his face, only open skepticism, as if he were looking at something he did not approve of.

"So," he said flatly, eyes narrowing slightly, "you’re my sister?"

The word sounded foreign in his mouth.

Bella blinked, caught off guard by his tone, but kept her composure. "Grandfather says we’re family now," she replied gently. "So... yes."

Ashton let out a quiet scoff, glancing away before looking back at her. Irritation simmered in his eyes, maybe even resentment, as though her very existence bothered him.

"Huh," he muttered. "That was fast. One day you’re nobody, the next you’re part of our family."

Bella felt the sting but did not snap back. Instead, she held his gaze calmly. "I didn’t ask for this," she said softly. "And I’m not trying to replace anyone."

He looked unconvinced.

"People don’t just appear out of nowhere," Ashton replied coldly. "Especially not in our family."

"I understand why you’d feel suspicious," Bella said, meeting his gaze with quiet composure. "But I’m not here to cause trouble."

Ashton studied her more carefully, as if searching for cracks in her words. His jaw tightened.

"Let’s see," he said finally, blunt and rude, "whether you really belong here... or if this is just another mess."

Then he turned slightly away, leaving behind a faint tension in the air.

Bella watched him go, her fingers curling around the edge of her clutch as she forced herself to stay calm, even though her heart had begun to beat faster.

Because she could feel more gazes on her.

Jacob’s stare was unreadable, like a calm ocean hiding its depths. Roman’s, on the other hand, burned with open hostility, sharp and judgmental, as if he had already decided what to think of her.

Her chest tightened as she walked toward her friends and started talking with them, which eased her slightly. Still, she kept feeling eyes on her again and again, and it made her deeply uncomfortable.

"I’ll be right back," she murmured to her friends, excusing herself before anyone could stop her.

The corridor leading to the restroom felt quieter, the music from the hall fading into a distant hum. The polished floor reflected the chandelier light, and her heels clicked softly with every step. She took a slow breath, trying to steady the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

Inside the restroom, the lighting was warmer. Marble counters gleamed beneath crystal lamps, and a faint floral scent rested in the air.

Bella stepped up to the sink, turned on the tap, and let the cool water run over her fingers. She lifted her head and looked at her reflection, studying her face as if grounding herself.

Then she noticed someone else in the mirror.

Alexa.

She stood a few steps behind, one hand resting on her large, rounded belly, her expression dark and twisted, lips curved into something close to a smirk. Her eyes locked onto Bella’s reflection with a dangerous intensity.

Bella dried her hands slowly and turned around.

"What do you want?" she asked calmly, even though her pulse had quickened.

Alexa tilted her head, studying her with open contempt. "Where is Leo?" she asked bluntly.

"That’s none of your business," Bella replied coolly.

Alexa scoffed. "Whatever. But I know where he is."

Bella’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you stalking him?"

Alexa let out a slow, smug laugh. "No," she said lightly, fingers brushing over her stomach as if soothing herself. "But I know."

Bella folded her arms. "Then say it. Where is he?"

Alexa’s smile widened, clearly enjoying the moment. She pulled out her phone with deliberate slowness, savoring the suspense, then held it up.

"Did you know," she said sweetly, "that he had a girlfriend in the past?"

Bella’s heart skipped once, but she did not react outwardly. He had told her he once had a girlfriend, but the girl had only wanted his money, and he had killed her.

"I sent him a photo a few days ago," Alexa continued lazily. "I told him I found a girl who looks just like her. And guess what?" Her eyes gleamed. "He actually flew there."

She tilted the phone so Bella could see.

On the screen was a photo, taken from behind, of a girl walking down a street. Bella recognized the date at once.It was the same day Jay and Jace had visited that house—the day after she and Leo had s*x.

Alexa watched her face closely, hungry for a reaction.

"Soooo...?" Alexa dragged out, her voice dripping with mockery.

Bella lifted her gaze slowly, meeting Alexa’s eyes without flinching.

Alexa leaned closer, lowering her voice to a poisonous whisper. "I guess his heart opened again for his first love. Maybe he left you... and didn’t even bother to come back."

She laughed, the sound as cruel and cold as cracking ice.