His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 632 Gossip

He took a slow sip of wine.

"That’s interesting. Because I’ve known my brother my whole life. I’ve never seen him smile the way he smiles at her. I’ve never seen him care about anyone the way he cares about her." His eyes flicked to where Leo and Bella still danced, oblivious. "And I’d hate for anyone to get the wrong idea. Wouldn’t you?"

The girl nodded frantically. "It was just gossip. Stupid gossip. I didn’t start it, Ana did. I just, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry."

Jay smiled. It didn’t reach his eyes.

"Make sure Ana knows. And everyone else." He set his wine glass on a passing tray, never looking away from her. "If I hear one more person talking about my brother’s marriage like it’s something to pick apart, I’ll be very disappointed."

He let the word hang.

Then he turned and walked back toward the dance floor, leaving the two women pale and silent behind him.

He found Jace near the bar, watching him with raised eyebrows.

"What was that about?" Jace asked quietly.

Jay’s jaw was tight. "Someone’s been spreading rumors in the company. About Leo and Bella. That it’s a cold marriage. Loveless. That he’s going to divorce her."

Jace’s expression shifted. "Who?"

"Ana from somewhere. I’ll find out." Jay’s hands curled into fists at his sides. "Half the company, Jace. Half of them think my brother doesn’t love his wife."

Jace reached out, his fingers brushing Jay’s wrist. "He does. Everyone who actually knows them knows that."

"I know." Jay exhaled slowly. "But someone’s been feeding them lies. And I want to know who."

He looked across the room. Leo had Bella tucked against his chest, her arms around his neck, both of them completely lost in each other.

Jay’s fists relaxed.

"Tomorrow," he said quietly. "Tomorrow I’ll deal with it."

Jace nodded. His hand found Jay’s, squeezed once, then let go.

They stood together, watching the couple dance, saying nothing.

After a while, "What will you do?" Suddenly Jace asked quietly, his eyes still on the dance floor where Leo and Bella swayed together, lost in each other. "Are you going to tell Leo?"

Jay shook his head slowly. His jaw was still tight, but his hands had relaxed at his sides.

"No." He watched his brother, the way Leo’s hand pressed against Bella’s lower back, the way she tucked her face into his chest, the way they moved like they were the only two people in the room. "I’ll handle this myself. It’s a small matter. Office gossip. Rumors." He let out a breath. "Leo already has enough on his plate."

Jace nodded, understanding. "The Mafia council meeting."

"And other things." Jay’s voice was quieter now. "He’s been dealing with shipments, territory issues, Nicolas making trouble again. He doesn’t need to know that some people in his own company are talking about his marriage like it’s a business arrangement."

Jace studied him for a moment. "You’re protecting him."

Jay looked at his brother again. Leo was smiling now, something Bella had said, his forehead pressed to hers.

"Someone has to," Jay said softly. "He’s always been the one protecting everyone else. Our family. Bella. Me." He shrugged, trying to look casual, but his voice betrayed him. "I can handle a few gossiping employees. It’s nothing compared to what he does."

Jace’s hand found his, fingers lacing together briefly, hidden from the crowd. "You’re a good brother."

Jay’s lips twitched. "I’m an amazing brother. And don’t forget it."

Jace smiled, letting go. "So what’s your plan?"

Jay glanced around the room, his eyes landing on a few familiar faces, executives, assistants, people who worked closely with Leo. His smile turned sharp.

"Tomorrow, I’m going to have a few conversations. Very friendly conversations." He picked up a glass of water from a nearby table, taking a slow sip. "People love to talk. They also love to keep their jobs."

Jace raised an eyebrow. "Friendly?"

"Extremely friendly." Jay set the glass down. "By the time I’m done, the only thing anyone in that building will be gossiping about is the weather. And maybe how good the coffee is in the break room."

Jace laughed quietly. "I guess you’re going to enjoy this."

Jay’s grin widened. "A little. It’s not every day I get to be the intimidating one in the family."

He looked back at Leo and Bella. They were still dancing, still wrapped in each other, completely unaware of the conversation happening across the room.

Jay’s expression softened. "He deserves this. The happiness. The peace. The not having to fight for everything." He watched his brother’s hand slide up to cup Bella’s face, watched her smile up at him. "I’m not going to let anyone take that away. Not even stupid rumors."

Jace stood beside him, saying nothing, just there. Solid.

The next day

Inside the indoor skating rink glowed under soft blue lights. It wasn’t snowing outside, but inside, the ice was perfectly smooth for skating.

Hazel stood at the edge of the rink, her blades pressed flat against the ice, her fingers wrapped around the railing like it was the only thing keeping her upright. She watched other skaters glide past, couples, kids, a few teenagers showing off, and her stomach tightened.

She had never done this. Never. Growing up, her world had been rain and mountains, cold winters but never snow, never ice. She knew how to climb, how to shoot, how to fight. But this? This was foreign. Unpredictable.

"I can’t do this," she said, her voice tight.

Dom stepped onto the ice beside her, and the whole rink seemed to shift.

He moved like water. Like he was born on ice. His blades didn’t scrape or wobble, they carved clean, silent lines, smooth as silk. He circled once, arms loose at his sides, head tilted, body balanced perfectly. Twice. Then he stopped in front of her, hands in his pockets, looking disgustingly comfortable.

People were looking.

A group of teenagers near the far wall nudged each other, eyes following him. A woman skating with her kid slowed down to watch. Even the guy at the rental counter leaned forward, phone forgotten.

Hazel noticed. She couldn’t help noticing. The way the blue lights caught his dark hair. The way his jacket fit across his shoulders. The way his blades cut the ice like they belonged there.

"You can," he said, holding out his hand.