"Is every random nobody allowed to just waltz into mypany and poke around? And you''re telling me there''s nothing you can do? Even if you can''t beat that person, you could at least patch up our firewalls, couldn''t you?


    Do you know how much I''ve sunk into this-twenty million dors! And now you''re telling me it''s all just gone down the drain?"


    There was a long pause on the other end. "I''ll wire the twenty million back to your ount."


    Israel''s frustration boiled over. "And what good does that do me? Is that money going to bring mypany back from the dead?


    If you hadn''t tipped me offst time-told me you''d found Ste Corporation''s top- secret files-do you really think mypany would be in ruins like this?


    Now you want to wash your hands of it? I''m telling you forget it! That''s not happening!"


    After a beat, the voice on the line sounded colder, almost annoyed.


    Q replied icily, "Mr. Williams, I''m just a hacker, not a business consultant.


    I report everything I find, just as we agreed. As for sorting out what''s real and what''s not, and how you handle it-that''s on you. You can''t pin all your problems on me."


    Q paused, then added, "If yourpany copsed overnight, it only means there were cracks in your system long before now. Months ago, in fact. Do you think I don''t understand how business works, Mr. Williams?"


    Israel gripped his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. Fury burned in his chest, but he couldn''t find a single word to say.


    Then Q''s tone shifted slightly. "Of course, I admit I was outmatched this time—I didn''t spot the trap until it was toote.


    If possible, I''ll do what I can to help patch up your security and keep tracking the attacker''s trail.


    I can''t promise results, but I''ll give it my best shot."


    At this point, Q was Israel''sst hope-his final lifeline.


    Israel''s tone finally softened. "I''m sorry. I lost my head earlier. I was desperate."


    "That''s understandable, Mr. Williams," Q replied calmly. "I''ll be in touch if I find anything."


    When the call ended, Q gazed at the endless blue sky, her eyes deep and thoughtful.


    In the reflection of the tall, pristine window, a woman''s graceful silhouette appeared.


    She was strikingly beautiful-her


    skin luminous, her features delicate and refined, herrge eyes bright and expressive sparkling with intelligence content belongs to s


    She stood quietly by the window, the breeze catching her waist-length hair and sending it fluttering.


    After a moment, as if remembering something, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.


    A man''szy, teasing voice came through the line.


    "Well, look at that. Did the sun rise in the west today? The legendary hacker Q is actually calling me?"


    Q''s voice was cool and even. "I need to ask you something."


    T snorted. "Oh, really? I haven''t even called you out yet for hacking one of my clients.


    Don''t you pick and choose your jobs?


    secuen


    tore through my cliente fool." Content 212


    like it was nothing-made


    me look like a to s.n?t


    belongs


    Q was silent for a moment, then said, "I promise, unless absolutely necessary, I


    won''t attack your clients again."


    T sounded genuinely surprised. "Wow, what could you possibly want to know that


    you''d offer me a deal like that?"


    Q exined the situation in detail.


    After a brief pause, T replied, "I''ve


    heard of the person you''re talking about, but only in passing never


    actually tangled with them myself.  s


    Honestly, the stories sounded too far-fetched to believe... Wait-you''ve gone up against this person?"


    Q answered, "Yes."<fncf06> Latest content published on ?ovelFind</fncf06>


    T asked, "So? Are they as good as people say?"


    Q was quiet for a moment. "They''re every bit as good as the rumors."


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!