Chapter 25:
Wesley was lounging on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, his posture both relaxed and commanding. His chiseled features, sharp nose, and confident presence made him seem almost sculpted to perfection.
As the sound of approaching footsteps echoed, Wesley lifted his gaze.
The butler bowed respectfully before stepping out, leaving Elena standing at the threshold. She met Wesley’s piercing stare with calm composure.
“You came for the artwork?” Wesley asked.
Elena immediately recognized him as the man from the vehicle the previous day. Wesley—the head of the Spencer family and a dominant figure among the city’s elite. His cold demeanor matched his formidable reputation.
Yet, Elena remained composed, responding with a simple nod. “Yes.” Her unwavering confidence piqued Wesley’s interest. His dark eyes flickered with curiosity as his suspicions grew. At first, he had lost interest in her, but after hearing Jeffry’s remarks, he reconsidered. A young woman living in Foiclens, who knew about the genuine landscape painting owned by the Spencer family and could identify its authenticity—such a person was anything but ordinary. Was it really just a coincidence that her experiences mirrored those of…
His tone suddenly sharpened. “Do you know El?”
Elena’s mind raced, though her expression stayed neutral. “Who? Who is El?”
Everything Elena knew had come from her mentor, whose current whereabouts were unknown. Recklessly revealing information was out of the question. She had no idea why Wesley would connect her with El. The only one who had ever seen her as El was the leader of the hacker group known as the Pantheon.
Wesley carefully studied Elena’s seemingly confused expression, his scrutiny intensifying. Suddenly, he extended his hand. “Give me your phone.”
The abrupt demand caught Elena off guard, and she hesitated.
Wesley’s expression darkened, unwilling to repeat himself.
Elena handed over her device.
With practiced ease, his long fingers moved swiftly across the screen, installing a tracking application right before her eyes. He handed the phone back and met her gaze. “Take it back. The painting is on the first floor.”
Elena had seen everything clearly. Setting up surveillance on her device so openly—was this a challenge or a test? As one of the world’s top hackers, she could remove the software in seconds and even trace it back to him. But she chose not to. Wesley was likely waiting for her to erase it, a move that would reveal her true skills.
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Elena had just reached the first floor when the butler approached, carrying a box. “Mr. Spencer asked me to deliver this painting to you,” he informed her.
Lifting the lid, Elena saw the landscape artwork inside. “I appreciate it. I’ll return it by tomorrow.”
The butler shook his head. “There’s no need to rush. Once it’s lent, you may return it whenever you wish.”
He found himself glancing at Elena again. She possessed a refined beauty, exuding effortless grace. It was rare to meet someone with an aura so similar to Wesley’s. No wonder Wesley had made an exception for her—she was the first woman ever allowed into his study.
Sensing his lingering gaze, Elena looked up. “Is there something else?”
