Chapter 44

Hearing Megan's teasing tone, Rachel couldn't help but click her tongue.

That nickname...why did it sound so flirty?

If Tristan ever caught wind of it, he'd definitely turn into a jealous maniac.

"Hey,Meg,you two that close or what?"

Megan shot her a side glance, already guessing Rachel's brain had gone somewhere else. She clarified,"His name's Samuel Lewis."

Rachel instantly got it.

Okay, that name did sound kind of epic-bold,memorable,hard to forget.

Samuel strolled over. "Megan,grab lunch with me?"

Megan calmly raised her hand, showing off the ring on her ring finger. "Sorry, this married lady doesn't do lunch dates with other men. Got it?"

Samuel just shrugged. "Well, I did kind of save your life yesterday. Like, that counts for something,doesn't it? Isn't there some saying about paying back a life-saving favor tenfold?"

Megan went silent. Yeah, right-like she owed him anything Rachel,who already knew what went down yesterday,was surprised. "Wait, this tall dude's the one who saved you?"

Megan gave her a glare. "You're not exactly helping here."

She exhaled slowly. "Let's just meet at that café right outside campus."

Samuel's smile twitched, thinking: Seriously? You scammed me out of 27 million, and we're settling this over some campus café? Real generous.

The three of them ended up at Knight Café, just off campus.

Samuel took a sip of his lemon water. "I just rolled out a new game, kind of geared toward women. Thing is,I don't really have many female friends, so I thought maybe you'd want to try it out, Megan."

Megan raised a brow. "Pretty sure we're not exactly friends. And if you're doing market research, plenty of girls would probably jump in."

Samuel brushed his fringe back. "Yeah, but they like my looks, not my genius. So I know they're just sweet -talking me."

Megan:[ Seriously, is there any humility in that brain?]

Rachel:[Gotta admit, loving that weird self-confidence a bit.]

Samuel handed over a USB stick to Megan. "Figured you'd have your laptop, since you're into design and all. I didn't bring mine-shoulder's sore from dodging that knife yesterday. Carrying stuff kinda hurts right now."

Rachel: "Wait. You carried her?"

Megan shot Samuel an icy look, then turned to Rachel "He tweaked his shoulder, sure, but he's also got a twisted tongue. Don't take him seriously."

Rolling her eyes, she took the USB and opened her laptop to plug it in.

The game started downloading. Then she gave the USB back to Samuel.

Opening the game, she saw it was set in a classic high -fantasy world-think dragons, ancient runes, and spell -wielding warriors.

Visually, the game was stunning. The animation,effects, character designs, and outfits were all next-level.

She started customizing her character and picking out some seriously cool gear.

Rachel was instantly hooked, eyes wide with curiosity as she leaned in closer.

Samuel sat nearby, calm and composed, a faintly amused smile tugging at his lips as he watched the two girls geek out.

Megan's brows slowly drew together-something was off. There was definitely a virus planted in that game software. "Ouch," she suddenly exclaimed, grabbing the laptop as she stood up and pointed toward the restroom "Stomach's acting up out of nowhere, gonna dash to the bathroom. I'm taking this gem with me,can't stop playing."

As she rounded the corner, she bumped right into the Four-Eyes guy.

A light bulb went off in her head, and she quickly called out to him.

She had him hide in the emergency stairwell,while she ducked into a bathroom stall.

Her fingertips flew across the keyboard-the virus had some sort of money-stealing program built in. It wasn't as lethal as what she'd created before, but it was enough to wreck her firewall.

She clenched her jaw-someone clearly wanted payback.

In under five minutes, she wiped the virus and reinforced the firewall.

Walking out, she waved the Four-Eyes over. "In a sec,just play along with whatever I say, got it?"

Four-Eyes adjusted his specs and nodded. "Got it."

Megan gave a slight smirk. "You know the saying-when someone saves your life..."

Four-Eyes instantly chimed in, "You owe them yours.."

She shot him a look. "Let's go."

Back in the main seating area, Samuel and Rachel were deep in cheerful conversation.

Megan returned with Four-Eyes and slid into her seat.

She put on a startled look. "Geez, there was a freaking virus in your software! Good thing I ran into Four-Eyes,or all my coins in that account would've disappeared."

Samuel narrowed his fox-like eyes with a trace of suspicion. "You're saying he cracked the virus?"

Feeling her foot stomp on his, Four-Eyes instantly replied, "Oh yeah, piece of cake. Nothing big."

Samuel rubbed his chin, mulling it over. "You two seem pretty close,huh."

Four-Eyes sneaked a quick glance at Megan. "Uh,yeah,you could say that."

Megan glanced at her watch. "I've got something else to deal with, so I'll head out. You two keep chatting."

With a quick motion, she and Rachel slipped off.

Hot sweat was already dripping down Four-Eyes 'forehead. The way Samuel carried himself had him seriously on edge-nervous and overwhelmed.

Giving a small nod, he also began to stand.

But then Samuel uncrossed his legs,leaned in slightly,and his voice dropped, eyes turning sharp. "Let's have a little chat."

Rachel looked confused. "Wait, what just happened?"

Megan smirked, a playful glint flickering in her eyes. "Samuel's game came with a built-in virus. Lucky for me,I ran into Four-Eyes-he helped me clean it out. I'm guessing Samuel and Four-Eyes are deep in conversation about how that whole thing went down right about now."

She was almost sure now-Samuel had started growing suspicious. The whole meeting today was probably just to confirm his hunch.

Still, that just showed he wasn't easy to fool.

"Sorry, Four-Eyes," she thought, "but I had no choice but to use you as cover."

Rachel nodded lightly. "What's his name again? Didn't you guys go to school together?"

Megan blinked innocently. "Barely. I left for France for an exchange program not long after we met. So.I actually never got his name."

Four-Eyes:[Guess I'm just Nameless Extra #1.]

"Oh, by the way, Rachel, I'm heading to the hospital to see Grandpa. After that, I'll meet up with Tristan.There's a charity auction tonight."

Rachel's eyes lit up like fireworks. "I'm coming with!Pick me up later!"

She said it and literally bolted off toward the Vuijing Bay villa.

Megan let out a tiny laugh,helpless but amused, then started the car and headed for Capital Hospital.

She picked up a bouquet of lilies before going up to Room 1123 in the neurology department.

As soon as Bernard saw her, he said, "You were here a few days ago."

Her heart soared-he remembered her!

Grabbing his hand gently, she leaned in. "Grandpa, you recognize me?"

He hesitated, thinking carefully. "You're... you're Megan,right?"

"Yes, Grandpa. It's me. You remembered!"

Bernard frowned slightly, his brows knitting together as he stared at her like trying to pull something from memory. "I feel like. there's something really important I need to tell you. But I can't quite grab onto it... What was it.?”

He rubbed his temple with frustration. "It's just not coming to me."

Megan lightly patted his hand. "It's okay, don't stress over it. Grandpa, the world's top neurosurgeon will be here in mid-September. He'll fix you up. You'll be just fine."

Bernard gave a tiny nod. "I've got a headache.I want to sleep a bit."

Megan, worried he might have another seizure like last time, gently helped him lie down and tucked the blanket around him. "Alright, get some rest."

Soon enough, the old man with silver hair had drifted off peacefully The male aide stepped in quietly. "Miss Shaw, as soon as you left last time, the other Miss Shaw showed up.The one with the bad temper-nothing like you. I'll go get some hot water. You stay here."

Megan gave a small nod and waited until he'd fully stepped out before swiftly pulling a tiny device out of her handbag.

It was a white, barely noticeable micro surveillance camera.

Only five millimeters in size, but with amazing storage and full-angle coverage-it was known as a "mosquito cam" for a reason.

She stepped carefully onto a chair and fixed it onto the wall,right above the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Right then, the door creaked open behind her.