CHAPTER 210: CHAPTER 210 GOOD GIRL GONE BAD

Bella thanked the driver politely as she stepped out of the car, her handbag held close to her side. "I’ll call you if I need you later," she added quickly, not giving him a chance to insist on waiting nearby. She turned away before he could question her and walked straight toward the glass doors of the mall.

Her steps were steady, but inside, her heart was racing. This was the first time in her life she had stepped into such a crowded place all alone. The noise of chatter, the footsteps, the jingling music echoing from the tall ceilings—it all felt overwhelming and yet strangely intoxicating. So this is freedom, she thought, taking in the faces of strangers passing by, no bodyguards hovering behind her, no Leo’s cold eyes watching her every move. It felt like stepping into a new world, a world that belonged only to her.

Still, she knew she couldn’t get careless. The tablet in her bag buzzed faintly when she slipped her hand inside to check. Tiny red dots blinked at the edges of the map—Leo’s shadows. They were nearby, circling the mall, stationed like silent statues. Escaping their gaze was going to be harder than she thought.

Bella bit her lower lip, steadying herself. She had always been the obedient one, the "good girl" who never questioned rules, never broke cages. But as she stood there, the crowd flowing around her, she realized her heart was thundering not only from fear but also from excitement. For the first time, I’m doing something bad, she thought, her lips curving into a small, nervous smile. And I don’t regret it

.

To keep things natural, she strolled into a large clothing store. Rows of racks stretched across the polished floor, mannequins posed stylishly in front. Bella pretended to browse, running her fingers lightly across fabrics. Between the folds of a dress, she discreetly pulled out her tablet, setting her location to "Mall – Central Clothing" and activating the timer that would later shift her signal to a shop on the other end of the building. That way, Leo’s guards would see her ghost image wandering elsewhere while she moved freely.

When she felt safe, she wandered deeper into the store and found herself in the men’s clothing section. Her fingers hesitated for a moment, then trailed across neatly folded shirts. She swallowed nervously, her cheeks warming as though even the clothes themselves were a secret. Finally, she picked out slim black pants, a crisp white T-shirt, and a trendy brown jacket that looked casual but modern. Hugging the fabrics to her chest, she went to the counter, sliding her card with careful grace. The cashier smiled at her, oblivious to the quiet storm of nerves and determination behind her soft eyes.

Her next stop was a beauty products shop. The strong scent of perfumes and lotions filled the air as she entered, and the cheerful shop assistant quickly approached her. "What can I get for you, ma’am?"

Bella lowered her voice, her lashes fluttering nervously. "Do you... have wigs?"

The assistant smiled and led her to a section where shelves displayed rows of colorful and elegant women’s wigs. Long curls, short bobs, bright dyed shades—every style was there. Bella scanned them quickly but shook her head. "Do you... have any men’s wigs?" she asked, her voice firmer this time.

The assistant blinked but nodded politely, guiding her to a smaller section. Dark, tidy cuts, wavy locks, and casual messy styles lined the racks. Bella’s eyes settled on one—a floppy dark-haired wig that looked both ordinary and convincing. She lifted it, holding it against herself for a moment, and her lips curved into a satisfied smile. Perfect. She purchased it along with a small perfume bottle and a few other beauty products to avoid suspicion.

Carrying her growing collection of shopping bags, she slipped into another shop, this one specializing in sports and fitness wear. The sales assistant here was more reserved, but Bella still felt her cheeks heat up when she asked softly, "Do you... have chest bindings?"

The assistant raised his brows but nodded, showing her discreet packs neatly folded on the shelves. Bella picked one, feeling the smooth elastic fabric in her hands, her heart hammering harder. Each piece she collected was another brick in her disguise.

When she stepped out of the store, the mall was buzzing even louder, people moving past her with their own carefree lives. She adjusted the handles of her shopping bags and exhaled slowly, a quiet, almost mischievous smile tugging at her lips. The "good girl" cage was already cracking, and with every step she took, she was rewriting who Bella truly was.

And she wasn’t finished yet.

***

"Is she okay?" Leo’s low voice came through the earpiece, calm on the surface but laced with an edge of tension that made even his guards stand straighter.

"Sir, ma’am is okay," one of the shadow guards reported quickly, his eyes on the monitors. "She is just... doing shopping."

Leo leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. The word just irritated him. Shopping. As if Isabella was the type of woman to waste time fluttering between racks of clothes.

He drummed his fingers on the armrest, stormy gray eyes narrowing on the live feed.

"Keep watching," he ordered after a pause, his tone firm. "If anything feels out of place, I want to know before she takes her next step."

"Yes, sir," the guard answered, though unease flickered in his voice.

Leo muted the line and exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the dark screen in front of him. Shopping? Maybe. But something about the nervous way she’d clung to him last night, begging for this day, echoed in his mind. She was hiding something—he could feel it.

**

Meanwhile, Bella slipped quietly into the less-used section of the mall, her steps light but her chest pounding as though every corner carried eyes. The "Restricted" sign on the restroom door didn’t slow her; she had already planned this part down to the second. With a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, she pushed inside.