Chapter 126: Chapter 126 Back to What’s Mine
In the study, Alessandro sat behind his heavy oak desk, fingertips tapping together as he listened to his sons. The morning light through the tall windows made the room feel deceptively calm, but the air between them was anything but.
"Have you found out which hacker destroyed Pablo’s base yet?" Alessandro asked, his voice low and measured, but carrying that hint of power that always made Jay sit up a little straighter.
Jay sighed, running a hand through his hair. "No. Whoever it was, they were good. Really good. They didn’t leave a single thread for us to pull. It’s like they slipped in, turned the place inside out, and vanished."
Alessandro narrowed his eyes, brows furrowing. "Pablo’s base was wiped clean. Years of data gone. Weapons routes, safe houses, even offshore accounts."
Jay nodded grimly. "I know. But you know Pablo — that cockroach never dies. He latched onto that dying mafia clan like a leech and now he’s back on his feet. We’re still tracking where he’s moving next."
Leonardo sat on the arm of a nearby chair, arms crossed, eyes sharp but distant. He spoke up, his voice calm but carrying an intensity that made both men turn to him. "And it’s not just that. Pablo didn’t just crawl out of his hole — he’s hunting us now. He’s got a new hacker, or maybe more than one. They’re probing our systems, looking for cracks."
Jay leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I’ve seen the logs. They’re aggressive — almost reckless, but good enough that they haven’t tripped every alarm. If our firewall slips, they could leak everything."
Alessandro’s jaw clenched, his fingers tapping louder on the desk. "What are you doing about it?"
Leonardo’s gray eyes flicked to his father’s. "I’ve hired extra people. Freelancers. Small teams. Some from the dark web. Anyone with half a brain and a reputation for building firewalls that hold."
"And?" Alessandro asked sharply.
Leonardo’s voice lowered, his brows pulling tight. "So far, they’re holding Pablo’s dogs off. But this won’t last forever. If that other hacker — the one who tore his base apart — shows up again, we’ll have to find out whose side they’re on."
Jay let out a low whistle. "What if they’re on nobody’s side?"
Leonardo’s gaze shifted to the window, watching the wind rustle the garden trees. "Then they’re dangerous. Anyone that powerful without loyalty is a risk to us and everyone else."
Alessandro sat back in his chair, his eyes like ice as he looked between them. "Find out who it is. I don’t care what it takes — money, favors, more hackers, bribes. If they could bury Pablo once, they could bury us too. Or save us... depending on what they want."
Leonardo didn’t answer right away.
---
On the other side, Stella was sitting cross-legged on a creaky bed, her hair a mess, phone pressed to her ear. She was so tired of Tom — the fantasy of "running away for love" had turned into greasy takeout, unpaid bills, and screaming matches every night.
Finally, she caved and called her mother.
As if Jessica had been waiting for it, she answered on the first ring, her honeyed voice flowing through the speaker. "My dear baby girl — are you done playing house with that useless boy?"
Stella pouted, twirling a strand of hair around her finger like she always did when she wanted something. "Mom, I’m coming back home."
"Oh, you’re always welcome, darling," Jessica crooned sweetly. But then her tone sharpened, her words slithering like a knife. "But don’t you dare drag that cheap boyfriend of yours here! He’ll stain our floors. Do you even know what’s happening while you’re living like trash? Bella is living your life — your blessings."
Stella’s brows drew together. "Bella?"
"Yes! Isabella — your so-called sister. Because you ran away like a foolish child, I had to marry that stupid thing to Leo in your place!" Jessica’s voice dripped with poison now. "And Leo is no old man, darling. He’s young, powerful, and so handsome. I’ll send you a photo — you’ll see for yourself. Come back, take your spot back. That cunning snake is ruining everything for us!"
Stella perked up immediately, her curiosity lighting up her eyes. "Send it, Mom! I want to see him."
Jessica laughed softly. "I knew you’d come to your senses. Come home, take back what’s yours, darling. That girl is cunning — she’ll ruin everything."
Stella stared at her phone as it pinged with the incoming photo, but before she could even tap it open, the room door swung open.
Tom stomped back into the dingy room, his face twisted in irritation. "What are you doing!" he snapped, glaring at her. "I’m scrubbing that filthy bathroom alone while you’re playing with your stupid phone?!"
Stella rolled her eyes and turned her shoulder to him. "Shut up, Tom. I’m tired," she muttered under her breath, ignoring the vein pulsing at his temple.
Tom scoffed, his face flushing red. "Tired? Of what — lying on that bed all day talking to your rich mommy? You think I’m your servant, Stella?"
She rolled her eyes again, but her stomach twisted. "You’re the one who wanted me here, remember? You said you’d take care of me — ’princess treatment,’ you said."
Tom let out a sharp laugh. "Yeah? Well, the ’princess’ better learn how to hold a frying pan, because I’m not your maid. I work all day too."
"You think I don’t do anything?" Stella shot back, her voice rising. "I wash your clothes, I clean up your mess, I—"
"You spend hours doing your nails while I’m working! Can’t you cook at least something? I don’t want to cook today — I’m tired too!" he countered angrily.
They stood inches apart in that tiny room, both breathing heavily, the cheap curtains fluttering behind them from the drafty window. Stella’s eyes flicked back to her phone.
She wished she could scream it in his face: I don’t belong here. I’m going back. Back to money, back to comfort — back to what’s mine.