Encrypted Hearts
Chapter 1
Sorry it's been so long since I have posted...
So here's the new story of mine
Yumeko Albert had one wish for the first day at Skybridge University: a clean slate.
No past, no drama and especially-especially- no run-ins with Josh Whitlock
But as she stepped into the ornate stone entrance of the orientation hall, fate flipped her the middle finger.
Leaning against the back wall like he hadn't a care in the world, Josh Whitlock looked exactly how she remembered him: annoyingly perfect hair, too-confident grin, and that air of unspoken secrets he always carried like a second skin.
That's met before. Multiple times, actually before Avyanna and Ace's wedding, in the wedding, then again at a handful of family dinners afterwards. Their connection was inevitable. Josh was Avyanna's cousin, and Yumeko had grown close to Avyanna–the kind of close that made her feel like she finally had a sister. Which later they found that they actually are.
Still, Josh had always rubbed her the wrong way. Too smug. Too smart. Too... Something.
Yumeko exhaled sharply and kept walking, pretending not to notice him.
He smirked, tilting his head just slightly in her direction.
Josh Whitlock
Didn't expect to see you here
Yumeko Albert
That makes two of us
What she didn't know–what no one knows–was that Josh had a second identity. An infamous, unbeatable e-sport hacker known as K. No one except two people in the world, knew the truth.
CEOs by daylight. Underworld royalty by moonlight. Good mafias, if such a thing existed, quietly running their territories with an iron fist and a kind heart.
Yumeko thought she was just stepping into university life.
In reality, she's just entered a world coded with secrets, bloodlines and danger– and Josh Whitlock was the first puzzle she's have to solve
Author
Don't forget to like and subscribe 🫶
Chapter 2
Yumeko found a spot near the edge of the orientation hall, dropping into her seat with the weight of someone already over it. Her eyes flicked towards the back, and sure enough–Josh was there.
Three years on this campus and he still acted like it was his private kingdom.
She knew he was in medicine. Knew he was brilliant. And smug. And too smart for his own good. But none of that mattered. This was her world now– her first year her program, her rules.
When the speeches ended, the faculty encouraged students to mingle. Yumeko slipped out as quickly as possible, ducking down a quieter hallway.
She didn't make it ten steps before–
Josh Whitlock
Running already?
Came the voice she'd hoped to avoid.
she turned Josh had followed, his from lazy, his stride confident.
Yumeko Albert
Shouldn't you be off doing third-year things?
Josh Whitlock
I heard the first year were more fun
Yumeko Albert
You must be bored
Josh Whitlock
Maybe. Or maybe I'm just surprised to see you here.
Yumeko Albert
Why? Because I prefer codes over cadavers?
Josh's smirk didn't waver
Josh Whitlock
Something like that
Yumeko turned on her heels
Yumeko Albert
Don't worry Whitlock. I'm not here to steal your spotlight
Josh Whitlock
You couldn't even if you tried
She didn't look back. But if she had– she would've seen the flicker in his eyes–like he knew something she didn't
Author
Do like this chapter ✨✨
Chapter 3
The dorm room smelled faintly of lemon disinfectant and cheap wood polish. Yumeko dropped her bag on the bed closest to the window and sank into the mattress. Finally, silence. No Josh. No family dinners. Just her, her laptop, and the hum of possibility.
She pulled out her laptop and opened the lid. The familiar boot-up chime greeted her like an old friend. Her fingers danced across the keyboard instinctively. She wasn’t just here to learn ethical hacking—she was here to master it. Not for fame. Not for rebellion. But for control.
Because the world had always tried to control her.
She pulled up the campus network and started a quiet scan. Not invasive—just exploratory. A harmless mapping of the digital terrain. Like a scout before battle.
It was encrypted—well, brilliantly encrypted—but something about the structure tugged at her curiosity. This wasn’t some basic admin bot or test file. It pulsed like a heartbeat beneath the system. Like it didn’t belong… but it wanted to be found.
Yumeko grinned. A challenge.
She leaned forward, cracking her knuckles
Yumeko Albert
Alright, mystery file. Let’s see who you belong to.
She had no idea that the code she was tracing belonged to someone sitting just a few buildings away—someone with a face she knew, and a name she couldn't stand.
Author
Don't forget to like this❤️
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
