His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 480 Shopping

The afternoon light streamed through the tall glass windows of Blue Cafe, painting warm pools of gold across the marble tabletops. The low murmur of conversation and the soft clink of ceramic cups filled the quiet space. Scarlett leaned back in her chair, one hand lazily stirring her iced coffee as her eyes settled on Bella with pure, unapologetic amusement.

"Sooooo..." she drew the word out, a slow, teasing smile spreading across her face as she studied the girl sitting across from her.

Bella sat with both hands wrapped tightly around her mug, shoulders slightly rounded, her gaze fixed on the steaming liquid as if it held the secrets of the universe. "Umm..." she offered softly, clearly stalling.

Scarlett rolled her eyes, though there was no real annoyance in the gesture. "You’re impossible," she muttered, before her expression softened into something more sincere. She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering. "Okay, fine. We’ll circle back to that. But first... are you really okay?" Her eyes searched Bella’s face carefully. "I heard about what happened. About... them."

Bella’s fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the warm porcelain. "I’m okay," she said, a little too quickly to be convincing.

Scarlett watched her for a long moment before asking quietly, "And your fake mother... Jessica. And that useless husband of hers. The news said they died trying to run or something?" She kept her voice low, her gaze never leaving Bella’s face, watching for any sign of distress.

Bella looked up, her eyes widening briefly before she glanced away, her focus drifting to the people walking past outside the window. She didn’t answer.

He took care of everything for me, she thought, and a strange, tight warmth spread through her chest. A tangled mix of fear and something else followed, a quiet sense of safety, as Leo’s calm, cold face flashed in her mind.

Scarlett caught the silence and let out a soft sigh as understanding dawned. "Okay," she said gently, raising both hands in a peaceful gesture. "We’re not talking about that today." Then, as if flipping a switch, her grin returned, bright and mischievous. "Now, onto the truly important matters."

She wiggled her eyebrows dramatically. "So. The seduction plan. Are we launching this operation today... or tomorrow?"

Bella’s cheeks flushed a deep, warm pink. "I—I don’t know," she murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Maybe... tomorrow?"

Scarlett snapped her fingers, her smile widening. "Perfect." She leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice as if sharing a state secret. "Then today, we shop." Her eyes sparkled. "I’m talking jaw-dropping. Heart-stopping. The kind of outfit that makes a man forget how to form sentences."

Bella’s eyes widened, nervous excitement bubbling up beneath her shyness.

"And," Scarlett continued, holding up a finger, "after we conquer the stores, we hit the spa. Full treatment. Skin, hair, nails, the works. We’re going to make you glow so brightly he’ll need sunglasses."

A soft, genuine laugh escaped Bella. She nodded. "That sounds... really good."

After filling their stomachs, Scarlett wasted no time. She practically dragged Bella down the street until they stopped in front of a boutique glowing softly behind tall glass windows. The sign above read LARA LINGERIE BOUTIQUE, elegant and understated. The moment Bella stepped inside, her breath caught.

Mannequins stood posed like confident muses, dressed in delicate lace, silk, and satin. The cuts were bold, the fabrics hugging curves without apology. Some pieces were short, some daringly open at the back, others wrapped in sheer layers that hinted more than they revealed. Bella’s ears warmed instantly.

Scarlett noticed and smirked. "Relax," she whispered, leaning close. "Clothes can’t bite."

"They’re so..." Bella trailed off, cheeks burning as she glanced away, then back again. "So bold."

"Exactly," Scarlett said cheerfully. "That’s the point."

Before Bella could retreat any further into her shyness, a saleswoman approached them with an easy, professional smile.

"Good afternoon," she said warmly. "How can I help you?"

Bella froze for half a second, eyes darting to Scarlett like a deer caught in headlights.

Scarlett stepped in smoothly, resting an elbow on the counter as if this were her natural habitat. "We’re looking for something special," she said lightly. "Elegant. Comfortable. And confidence-boosting."

The saleswoman’s smile deepened with understanding. She turned her attention gently to Bella. "Is it for a special occasion?"

Bella hesitated, then nodded, her voice soft. "Y-Yes."

"That’s perfect," the saleswoman said kindly, as if that single word told her everything she needed to know. "We have pieces that are subtle and romantic, and others that are more expressive. You can take your time. There’s no pressure here."

Scarlett clapped her hands once, delighted. "See? Safe space," she told Bella. "Now come on. Let’s find something that makes you feel like you."

Bella took a small breath, her nervousness mixing with a strange flutter of excitement. As she followed them deeper into the shop, curiosity slowly replaced her embarrassment.

A second saleswoman laid out a small collection on a velvet-lined counter, each piece more refined than the last. Lace was folded carefully, silk catching the light in a way that made Bella’s fingers itch with nervous curiosity. She leaned closer, lashes lowering as she examined them one by one, biting her lower lip without realizing it. A soft pink set caught her eye, then a cream one with delicate ribbons, and she quickly looked away, her ears burning.

Scarlett, meanwhile, was clearly in her element. A few steps away, she was holding up a deep red piece against herself, tilting her head and chatting animatedly with another saleswoman as if this were a perfectly ordinary afternoon errand. Bella watched her for a moment, drawing courage from her friend’s confidence, before turning back to the woman beside her.

She hesitated, then leaned in and whispered, her voice barely above a breath, "Do you have... bunny-themed ones?" Her cheeks turned a soft pink the moment the words left her mouth, and she almost regretted asking.

Instead of reacting with surprise, the saleswoman’s lips curved into a knowing, gentle smile. "Of course, ma’am," she replied smoothly. "Please follow me."

Relief washed over Bella, mixed with a shy thrill. She glanced back once more to see Scarlett still absorbed in her choices, red lace draped over her arm, laughing softly. Taking a quiet breath, Bella followed, her heart beating just a little faster as she was guided toward a quieter corner of the boutique.