Chapter 254

In Chapter 253 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma shares a lighthearted moment with Molly, who is ecstatic to learn that her hacking skills have earned her a position on Gemma’s team instead of an internship. Molly’s disbelief and excitement are palpable as she realizes the opportunity before her, and Gemma takes a moment to enjoy her newfound authority. The atmosphere is filled with laughter and anticipation as they prepare to sign the contract and introduce Molly to the rest of the team.
As they leave the classroom, Molly’s enthusiasm spills over as she eagerly discusses her admiration for Moonlight, a legendary hacker. Gemma, however, reveals a surprising twist: she is Moonlight. Molly’s reaction is one of pure joy and admiration, which brings a light-heartedness to the scene. The camaraderie between the characters is evident, and Gemma feels a sense of pride in her identity as a leader and mentor.
However, the mood shifts dramatically when Gemma receives a call from Zina, who informs her that she is trending on social media due to a scandal involving her personal life. The headlines are alarming, and Gemma is struck with a sense of dread as she reads the accusations against her. The revelation that Reyna, a figure from her past, is behind the scandal adds a layer of tension and urgency to the narrative, indicating that Gemma’s troubles are far from over.
Upon arriving at Zina’s villa, Gemma tries to maintain a light-hearted demeanor despite the weight of the situation. She introduces Molly to Zina, who is initially skeptical but quickly recognizes Molly’s significance as Rizzster, a renowned hacker. The dynamic among the characters shifts as they settle into the living room, but Zina’s curiosity about the trending topic brings Gemma back to the reality of her predicament. The chapter ends on a note of anxiety, with Gemma feeling the pressure of her circumstances and the challenges that lie ahead.
**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 253**
**Chapter 253**
**Gemma’s POV**
The way Molly gapes at me is utterly hilarious. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water, as if she’s struggling to swallow words that seem determined to flee. For a full ten seconds, she stands frozen, blinking in disbelief, before finally exclaiming, “Huh? Did you… did you just say I don’t have to be an intern?”
With a smirk, I cross my arms and lean back against the desk, feeling a sense of authority. “That’s right. Your ability to hack into that system? It’s genuinely impressive. That’s precisely the kind of talent I need on my team.”
Molly presses her palms against her flushed cheeks as if she’s been struck by a sudden wave of warmth. “Wait… so you’re serious? I thought my little trick was going to ruin my chances, not… not help me.”
I can’t help but smile, “Looks like it paid off big time.”
Her eyes light up, sparkling like a child witnessing fireworks for the very first time.
“Are you free this afternoon? Because after we sign the contract, I want to introduce you to the rest of the team.” I can already envision Zina’s reaction—she’ll likely grumble about me rushing things, but deep down, I know she’ll fall in love with Molly’s enthusiasm once she sees it for herself.
Molly nods her head rapidly, so fast I’m genuinely concerned she might give herself whiplash.
—
We breeze through the paperwork, and by the time we step out of the classroom, she’s still bubbling over, her words spilling out in a torrent I can barely keep up with.
“The confidentiality agreement is signed! So, am I going to meet Moonlight now? Can I see Moonlight today? Is he here on campus? I mean… oh my god! When I first saw Moonlight at the top of the hacker rankings, I thought, ‘that’s it, that’s the pinnacle.’ Nobody could touch him. And then, after he disappeared, I took the spot, but you know, it didn’t feel right. I always told myself, if Moonlight comes back, I’d step down without a fight. Because no one could surpass Moonlight in my heart—”
I can’t contain my laughter any longer.
“Molly,” I say, trying to keep my tone gentle, “you don’t need to meet Moonlight anymore.”
That brings her to an abrupt halt, her sneakers squeaking against the hallway tiles. “Huh? Why not? Don’t tell me he left the team? No way!”
Jace, who typically remains silent in moments like this, surprisingly chimes in, his voice dry and matter-of-fact. “Because you’ve already met Moonlight.”
Molly tilts her head, confusion etched across her features. “Really? When?” Her eyes dart to Jace, widening with sudden realization. “Wait a minute…”
Her gaze swings back to me, and I can almost see the gears turning in her mind as the realization hits her. Her jaw drops in astonishment. “You’re… you’re Moonlight? Oh my gosh, Moonlight is a woman?!”
I raise an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips. “Are you disappointed?”
She shakes her head so vigorously that her ponytail whips around like a pendulum. “Disappointed? Are you kidding me? You’re gorgeous! You’re brilliant! And you are my boss! Whoa! I can die happy now.”
I laugh so hard that I have to cover my mouth to stifle the sound. Just as I’m about to lead her to the car, my phone buzzes—it’s Zina.
Perfect timing, I think, eager to share the news. But instead of letting me bask in my triumph, she blurts out, “Gemma, check Twitter and Instagram! You’re trending!”
My stomach drops. Whenever Zina calls these days, it’s rarely good news.
I hang up and quickly open Twitter, and there it is: my name glaringly bold at the top of the trending list. The headlines scream at me: “Mrs. Blackwell’s secret life exposed!” “Mrs. Blackwell cheating scandal CONFIRMED.” “How important is Mrs. Blackwell’s public image?”
And then the strangest one of all: “A world where only the first Loye gets hurt.”
—
It leads to an anonymous note posted by someone who claims to be a Blackwell Industries Airlines staff member.
The words on the screen send a chill through me, making my chest feel suddenly heavy: “I’m so, so thankful to God to see that you’re okay. I won’t bother you, going to head back on my own. Don’t worry about me!:)”
Attached to the message is a lengthy text narrating a story about how, on the day Cassian’s plane vanished, a girl supposedly tried to deliver the note but was unable to reach him due to reporters swarming the area.
So she posted it online!
I scoff as soon as I see the handwriting. The distinctive little vertical hooks at the ends of the letters… I know them too well. That’s Reyna’s work; I’d recognize her handwriting even if it were reduced to ashes.
The same handwriting was on the estate transfer document she signed years ago, which had thrown my mother and me out of my father’s remaining assets…
No doubt about it.
Reyna didn’t just leave quietly that day. She wanted to stir up trouble, just like she always does.
—
I slide into the car, taking a seat beside Molly, and quickly text Zina.
[Heading to your Villa now.]
Her reply comes swiftly: [Alright, alright, we’ll discuss it when you get here!]
Sighing, I type back.
[I’m bringing someone for you to meet, so don’t mention this yet.]
When we arrive, I barely press the doorbell before it swings open, revealing Zina standing there with her arms crossed, a frown etched on her face.
“Don’t tell me you were just standing there waiting,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.
She rolls her eyes, exasperated. “Do you really think now’s the time for jokes?”
Before she can scold me further, Molly peeks from behind me and chirps, “Hello, I am Molly Hudson!”
Zina blinks, momentarily taken aback. “Who’s this?”
I gesture toward Molly with a grin. “She’s the new recruit I brought into the team today.”
When Jace joins us, he had to endure grueling tests to prove himself. Zina’s expression says it all: Why does this kid get a free pass?
So I drop the magic word. “She is Rizzster.”
That effectively silences Zina. Her eyes widen in disbelief. She knows how much I’ve been chasing after news of Rizzster lately.
And now, here she is. Zina finally extends her hand, a smile breaking through her initial skepticism. “I’m Zina Patel. Nice to meet you!”
Molly’s face lights up with delight. She bows slightly, “No, no, it’s my pleasure to meet you!”
They exchange polite greetings until Jace, looking increasingly irritated, snaps, “Let’s just sit down already.”
We settle into the living room. Zina sits opposite me, her eyes darting between Molly, Jace, and me. The silence stretches, and then Zina suddenly says, “Since we’re all teammates, there shouldn’t be any secrets between us, right?”
“Yeah?” I respond absentmindedly, only to realize too late what I’ve done. But it’s too late to backtrack, and Zina leans forward, her curiosity piqued.
“Let’s talk about how you’re handling the trending topic!”
My heart sinks. I exhale slowly, rubbing my temples in frustration. Zina never knows when to hold her tongue.
“Troublesome girl…” I mutter under my breath, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on me.
As the laughter and excitement of welcoming Molly into our team fills the air, I can’t help but feel a flicker of hope amidst the chaos that looms over me. The stark contrast between the joy of new beginnings and the weight of the trending scandal is palpable, yet in this moment, surrounded by my friends and colleagues, I find a semblance of strength. Molly’s enthusiasm is infectious, and for the first time in what feels like ages, I allow myself to bask in the warmth of camaraderie. The uncertainty of what lies ahead still gnaws at me, but as I watch Zina and Molly exchange smiles, I realize that I am not alone in this fight. Together, we can navigate the storm, bolstered by the bonds we’ve forged.
Yet, as the conversation shifts back to the troubling headlines, I feel the familiar knot of anxiety tightening in my chest. Zina’s probing questions cut through the momentary bliss, reminding me of the shadows that threaten to engulf us. I know the truth of Reyna’s involvement, and the implications it carries weigh heavily on my shoulders. But I also understand that facing this challenge head-on is essential—not just for me, but for the team that has rallied around me. As I prepare to confront the reality of the situation, I take a deep breath, drawing strength from the laughter and warmth that still lingers in the room. In the face of adversity, I am determined to rise, knowing that the power of our collective spirit can weather any storm.
In the next chapter, readers can expect a whirlwind of revelations and escalating tensions as Gemma grapples with the fallout from her trending scandal. With Zina’s probing questions looming over her, the air will thrum with anticipation as Gemma must navigate the treacherous waters of her public image while trying to maintain her newfound authority and the dynamics of her team. The juxtaposition of Molly’s infectious enthusiasm and the heavy burden of Gemma’s secrets will create a compelling tension, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how she will handle the scrutiny.
Moreover, Molly’s presence as the newest recruit will introduce fresh energy into the mix. Her admiration for Gemma as Moonlight will challenge Gemma to reconcile her dual identities, pushing her to embrace her role as a leader while also confronting the shadows of her past. As the chapter unfolds, expect unexpected alliances and the potential for conflict, particularly with the mysterious Reyna lurking in the background. Will Gemma’s secret life come crashing down around her, or will she find a way to turn the tides in her favor? The stakes are higher than ever, and the next chapter promises to be a thrilling ride filled with twists, revelations, and the unyielding quest for truth.
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