The dim glow of the conference room’s overhead lights cast long shadows across the table as Lucy, Ryder, and Marcus continued their investigation. Papers were strewn everywhere—business reports, letters, and notes filled with frantic scribbles. The atmosphere buzzed with tension and urgency. Lucy felt as if they were standing on the precipice of something vast and dark, and the more they uncovered, the more perilous the abyss below seemed.
“Okay, let’s recap,” Ryder said, his voice steady despite the turmoil swirling in the room. “Marcus, what do we know about the breach?”
Marcus glanced at the screen where lines of code scrolled endlessly, data processing in real-time. “They accessed our main server. Whoever this is, they know what they’re doing. They’ve erased some of the logs, but we can still trace back the paths they took. The connection appears to lead to a hidden network—a dark web site. It’s where the financials and personal details are being traded.”
Lucy felt a chill run down her spine. “What do you mean, traded?”
“They’re selling information. Whoever is behind this wants to hurt you, Ryder, and they’re using your secrets as leverage. And now, they know about Lucy.”
“What do they want?” she asked, her voice a mix of fear and determination.
“Power and money,” Ryder replied, leaning over the table, his fingers tapping restlessly. “If they expose my past, it could ruin everything I’ve built. But it’s more than that. If they get to you, Lucy… it becomes personal.”
“I can’t be a target just for being married to you,” she said, frustration bubbling over. “I won’t let that happen. We need to take control of this situation.”
Ryder’s expression softened slightly, but determination flickered in his eyes. “We will, but we need a plan. First, let’s focus on tracing back to whoever is behind this breach. Marcus, can you monitor any incoming threats?”
“Absolutely,” Marcus replied, typing furiously on the laptop. “I’ll set up a firewall and track any suspicious activity. We can’t afford to miss anything.”
“Good,” Ryder said, shifting his gaze to Lucy. “I need you to stay close. I want you to be in the office with us during this.”
Lucy felt her heart race at the implication of what that meant. “You want me to be a part of this?”
“Yes,” Ryder said, his tone resolute. “The more we know, the better equipped we are to handle whatever comes next. I can’t protect you from afar. We need to face this together.”
As they dove back into their work, Lucy felt a mix of excitement and dread. She had spent her life perfecting her baking skills, running her aunt’s bakery, and now she was tangled in a corporate conspiracy involving billionaires and hidden threats. The enormity of the situation was daunting, but she knew she had to be strong. For herself and for Ryder.
As hours slipped by, they uncovered layers of financial deception within Ryder’s company—false accounts, shell corporations, and a web of questionable transactions. The evidence pointed toward someone deeply embedded in Ryder’s inner circle.
“Look at this,” Marcus said, pointing to a name in a transaction log. “This could be our first lead.”
Lucy leaned in closer, squinting at the screen. “Liam Reed? Who is he?”
“Liam is a former associate of mine,” Ryder said, his tone darkening. “He was my right-hand man in the early days. But he became greedy and wanted to expand too quickly. I had to cut ties with him.”
“Sounds like he has a motive,” Lucy replied. “What’s his connection to the dark web?”
“Exactly,” Ryder said, his eyes narrowing. “If he’s behind this, it could explain the personal nature of the threats.”
YOU ARE READING
Billion dollar adventure: Meeting Mr arrogant
RomantikWhen 18-year-old Lucy, a talented baker, is forced to marry billionaire entrepreneur Mr. Arrogant to save her aunt's struggling bakery, she thinks she's made a deal with the devil. But as she navigates her new life of luxury, Lucy discovers secrets...
