“What’s up?” she asked, her tone casual.
“You’re in Navoris, aren’t you?” Lina asked, concern lacing her voice. Since the establishment of the Lightwing Order, Lina had never met Phantom in person. Now that Phantom was in Navoris, Lina couldn’t resist the chance.
“Yes,” Tessa replied plainly.
“Then let’s meet!” Lina said eagerly.
“Why?” Tessa raised an eyebrow. Is there really a need?
“Because I want to see you! You’re the only member of the Lightwing Order I haven’t met yet. Everyone’s dying to know what you’re like.”
“I’m just an ordinary person.”
“Cut it out, Phantom! The top-ranked hacker on the global leaderboard calls herself ordinary? You’re joking, right?”
“Lina, I’m here for something important.”
“Do you need help?” Lina asked immediately, concern deepening.
Tessa knew how much the Lightwing Order cared for her, especially as their youngest and most skilled member. “No need. I can handle it myself.”
“Phantom, remember, you’re not alone. We’ve got your back, always.”
Tessa softened slightly. “I’m at Chiaroscuro Lane. Come if you want.”
“Got it! Send me your location. I’m on my way!” Lina’s excitement was palpable. Meeting Phantom was a privilege others could only dream of.
Tessa settled into a cozy café on Chiaroscuro Lane, where laptops were available for customer use. She logged into her email, skimming through her recent messages.
One email caught her attention – it was from Dr. Gu Shi, asking when she planned to join the International Medical Organization. Tessa replied succinctly, stating she hadn’t decided yet and would let him know in due course.
Just as she hit “Send,” Lina entered the café. Spotting the breathtakingly elegant girl by the window, Lina immediately knew it was her.
“Phantom, it’s me, Lina,” she greeted, sliding into the seat across from Tessa.
Tessa glanced up briefly. “Just call me Tessa,” she said. “We’re in the real world. Let’s keep it low-key.”
“Tessa, how long are you staying in Navoris? I’ve got a job for you.”
“What kind of job? Something you can’t handle yourselves?” Tessa asked, though she wasn’t keen on taking new assignments at the moment.
“It’s about Mr. Young. You’ve heard of him, right?”
“The scientist from the Academy?”
“Exactly. He’s gone missing, and he holds critical technology – highly sensitive stuff.”
“Got it. I’ll take the job.”
“Fair warning: the payout isn’t as high as some of your previous gigs. Four million isn’t much compared to what the big corporations usually offer to hire you.”
“It’s fine,” Tessa said nonchalantly. For her, hacking was more of a hobby than a career. Earning money was just an added perk.
With business wrapped up, Lina leaned forward eagerly. “So, what brings you to Navoris? Are you sure you don’t need our help?”
“I don’t.”
Just then, Tessa’s phone rang again.
“Where are you?” Landon’s deep voice came through the line as soon as she answered.
“I’m at Chiaroscuro Lane. Why?” Tessa asked, puzzled. Does this guy have nothing better to do?
“Wait there. I’m coming to find you. Don’t move.”
“Who was that?” Lina asked curiously.
“A friend’s uncle,” Tessa replied after a brief pause, settling on a definition for Landon.
“An uncle, huh?” Lina teased, raising an eyebrow. “Your friend’s uncle must be older. Be careful, Phantom. Sometimes older guys have a thing for young girls like you.”
“I know,” Tessa replied with a smirk.
“What do you mean you know? Never mind, as long as we’re around, no one will dare mess with you. In Navoris, you can strut around like you own the place!”
“Lina, I never realized how cute you were,” Tessa chuckled. How exactly does one ‘strut around horizontally’?
Caught off guard by the compliment, Lina blushed. “Alright, since your friend’s coming, I’ll head out. I’ll send you the information on Mr. Young’s case when I get back. You’ll need to coordinate with the chief of the Navoris state criminal division.”
“Got it.”
Lina left not long before Landon arrived.
Spotting Tessa, he immediately walked over and sat across from her.
“How are you feeling? Should I take you to the hospital?” he asked, his expression serious.
“I’m fine, Mr. Thorne. Don’t you have better things to do?” Tessa asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I do, but I had to check on you. Did someone bother you?”
“Please, I’m lucky if I don’t end up bothering others. Who would dare mess with me?” Tessa’s words slipped out before she could filter them, revealing more of her true nature than she intended.
“The doctor advised you to rest. You should listen.”
Landon had rushed over, but seeing her in good spirits, he relaxed. Ordering himself a coffee, he asked casually, “How’s it going at Navoris High? Are you settling in?”
“Not bad,” Tessa replied, her tone indifferent. The likes of Queenie and her gang were beneath her notice.
Landon opened his laptop, settling in to work remotely.
The café became a scene to behold – two strikingly attractive individuals sharing a table. Landon, with his composed elegance, exuded an aura of innate authority, while Tessa’s ethereal beauty and laid-back demeanor caught everyone’s attention. Together, they drew curious glances from passersby.
Though they exchanged only occasional words, Landon’s calm presence seemed to anchor Tessa. For some reason, she didn’t mind him being there.
Midway through a game, Tessa’s phone rang.
“Grandpa? What’s up?” she answered, her tone softening.
“Tessie! I was thinking, why don’t you come home for dinner tonight? You promised to visit once a week, remember?” Walter sounded half pleading, half complaining.
“Tonight?”
“Why, is it too much to ask for one dinner?”
“Alright, I’ll come.”
“Promise? I’m holding you to it,” Walter said firmly before hanging up, not giving her a chance to back out.
“Who was that?” Landon asked, curious to see her rare display of compliance.
“My grandfather,” Tessa replied curtly, clearly unwilling to delve into details about the Sinclair family.
She began packing up her things. The Sinclair family’s estate was over an hour away by car, and she didn’t want to be late.
“I’ll drive you,” Landon offered.
Tessa didn’t object. They left the café together, stepping out to find Landon’s sleek silver Lamborghini parked by the curb. Its elegant lines drew stares from everyone nearby.
When Landon opened the passenger door for her with practiced grace and shut it gently once she was inside, it only heightened the onlookers’ envy.
“I wish I were that girl,” one woman sighed wistfully.
“Dream on. Look at her – young, stunning, and elegant. That face alone makes her a rarity in Navoris,” another said, sounding defeated.
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