Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 41 - Chapitre 50

Her fingers remained above the keyboard for a moment.Client: Is this Z?Nova's eyes narrowed slightly.Her username was kept private so they shouldn't have been able to tell who she was.The client's own username was also unfamiliar.There was nothing unusual about the message itself.What was unusual was the name he had used.Z.In the dark-web world, there were very few people who needed only a single letter to establish their reputation.Z was one of them.She had been operating under that identity for years, and although very few people knew anything about the person behind it, her name had gradually become something of a legend on the darker corners of the internet.If someone wanted a problem solved quietly, a system breached without leaving traces, or information that could not be obtained through ordinary means, Z was one of the names that would eventually surface.There was only one other hacker whose reputation could stand beside hers.X.But unlike Z, X rarely appeared on

Nova was surprised.She looked up at him in confusion, wondering why he had suddenly appeared behind her.But the man only stared back at her calmly, without much expression on his face.So Nova recollected herself.She had barely turned back toward the plans when Hayden appeared behind Lucien with a chair.“Sir.”Lucien glanced at him.Without saying anything, he pulled the chair over and sat down directly beside Nova.Reese's expression immediately darkened.Alex, however, seemed delighted by the opportunity.He quickly stepped forward and adjusted his glasses.“President Delacroix, I'm Alex Carter. I'm part of the XC project team. It's an honor to work with Delacroix Energy.”Lucien only glanced at him.“Mm.”Alex's smile stiffened slightly.For a moment, he seemed unsure whether he had actually been acknowledged.Reese nearly smiled.He had to admit, President Delacroix's response was rather satisfying.Unfortunately, the satisfaction lasted only a second.His gaze landed on the m

Nova's brows furrowed.She hadn't ordered anything.Seeing her confusion, Reese told the receptionist to bring the package.The delivery man was waiting just outside the reception area.He handed the package to the receptionist, who immediately brought it over to Nova."There's no sender's name," she explained. "The delivery company only has your name listed as the recipient."Nova glanced at the large, carefully wrapped box."All right. Thank you."She signed for it.Reese leaned closer as she straightened."You don't know who sent it?"Nova didn't answer immediately.There was a small card attached to the top of the package.She picked it up and turned it over.Only one sentence had been written on it:Your Dress For The Banquet.Nova's eyes lingered on the words for a moment.She already knew who had sent it.There was no one else who would send her a dress for Grandma's birthday without bothering to ask whether she needed one.Reese looked over her shoulder."What does it say?"No

For a brief moment, no one moved.But unexpectedly, neither woman started a confrontation as the guests expected.Gwen quickly recovered from her initial shock.As one of the most recognized designers in the country, Gwen had spent years attending fashion events, award ceremonies, and high-profile gatherings where people watched what she wore almost as closely as they listened to what she said.She knew how to handle attention.The faint surprise in her eyes disappeared almost instantly, replaced by the same graceful smile she had worn when she entered.But Nova's attention had already fallen to her dress.She recognized the design almost immediately.Her expression remained calm, but her eyes lingered on the gown for another second.She noted the silhouette, the delicate structure around the waist, and even the subtle details along the neckline.It was remarkably similar to the dress Lucien had sent her that afternoon.Only Gwen's was midnight black.Its color made the entire design

The question sounded innocent.But the moment it was asked, several people nearby turned toward Nova.The attention that had been focused on Gwen's impressive gift shifted.Nova sat quietly beside the Old Madam.She only had her handbag with her and clearly hadn't brought anything in her hands.And now everyone was looking at her.Evelyn's smile widened slightly."I don't see anything."Someone nearby whispered,"Did she come empty-handed?"Another person immediately responded,"Surely not.""But she hasn't presented anything."The whispers began spreading through the room.Gwen also turned her attention toward Nova.For a moment, their eyes met.Nova's expression remained unchanged.She looked at Grandma.Then she looked at the crowd that had suddenly become interested in what she had brought.Grandma looked at her.But she quickly figured out Evelyn and Gwen's petty tricks so she smiled."You didn't have to bring anything. You being here is enough for me."Nova's lips curved slightl