Ch 23: The Bitcoin Mystery

Written by Kavya and Concept by Sidhant First go to previous blogs if you have not already....

Inside the tin box, Cloe found something she hadn’t anticipated—a Bitcoin paper wallet. She recognized the two QR codes at once: one labeled "Bitcoin address" and the other, "Private key." The wallet contained digital currency—Bitcoins, which Cloe had heard of but knew little about. She had heard that Bitcoin was a digital form of money, but she hadn’t delved into the details until now.

She turned to a colleague who specialized in cryptocurrency for help. He explained it to her in the simplest terms:

“We’re sitting on a park bench. I have one apple, and I give it to you. Now you have the apple, and I don’t. Simple, right? But imagine I had a digital apple. How do you know it’s yours and not someone else’s? The problem with digital things is that they can be copied. So, what if we created a ledger—a public record—that everyone could access? That way, no one could fake ownership of a digital apple. That, Cloe, is the essence of Bitcoin.”

Cloe’s mind spun as she finally understood the basic principle behind Bitcoin. The address was like an email address, and the private key was like a password. Whoever had the private key controlled the Bitcoin.

Before she could ask more questions, her attention was drawn to a folded paper hidden beneath the Bitcoin wallet. Daniel, ever the professional, carefully unfolded it while wearing gloves. The letter appeared to be a birthday gift from a father to his daughter. It read:

“My dear Ruksana, I hope you had the patience to wait. Happy birthday. This is my gift to you. I am sending you 500 Bitcoins. They are a digital form of currency. Your mother will help you understand more. One year ago, when I founded this company with my friends, it was small. But the rate at which it has been growing means these Bitcoins will be worth much more when you are 18. Use the money wisely. Always there for you, Your father.”

“This is getting more riveting by the minute,” Daniel remarked, his voice filled with excitement.

Cloe nodded, her mind still racing. She had to understand everything, especially the reference to Bitcoins. She called her colleague back to inquire further about the founder of Bitcoin. He explained that Satoshi Nakamoto was the pseudonymous individual (or group) who had created Bitcoin and its underlying blockchain technology.

But just as she began to digest this new information, another mystery presented itself. The letter from the father suggested that the sender was someone important—perhaps someone connected to the world of cryptocurrency.

At that moment, Cloe felt the weight of the unfolding mystery pressing down on her. Absko, the Bitcoin, the shadow, the British monarchy—it was all connected, somehow. She turned to Daniel and handed him the tin box, entrusting him with the task of uncovering more details about this growing web of intrigue.

Later that night, as Cloe sat in her room, she felt the familiar sense of anxiety that came with every major investigation. She was already juggling too many questions. Shree, Daniel, Absko, the shadow... and now, the Bitcoin?

Cloe took a deep breath and texted Shree, who had yet to find anything new. It was getting late, and both Cloe and Daniel were exhausted from the long day. They agreed to rest for the night, hoping that tomorrow would bring some much-needed clarity.

The next morning, however, things took a turn. Cloe was awoken by an unexpected phone call.