Chapter 888:


    She lunged for the power button, fingers flying to yank the cord from the wall, but the machine emitted a metallic grind.


    The screen went dead. Smoke curled up from the vents, carrying the acrid bite of burnt stic. Herputer was fried.


    For a long moment, Ste could only stare at the dead machine, mind nk, heart hammering.


    Then her expression hardened. They hadn’t just blocked her—they’d destroyed her hardware.


    Had they been waiting for her move?


    Whoever was on the other side of this was far more ruthless and sophisticated than she had imagined.


    If anything, it confirmed she was on the right track. The P73X lead was real.


    Before she could gather the remains for repair, her phone lit up with an unfamiliar number.


    Ste hesitated, suspicion shing in her eyes, before she answered.


    A distorted, mechanical voice slithered through the line. “Ste… curiosity killed the cat. Some secrets are better left buried. This is your final warning. Keep digging, and next time, it won’t just be yourputer that burns.”


    The call ended before she could reply.


    The hiss of the threat echoed in her ears, chilling her blood.


    They weren’t just watching—they knew exactly who she was and what number to call. What kind of organization had that kind of reach?


    Her grip on the phone tightened. The fear that prickled at her skin was real, but beneath it, her resolve only grew stronger.


    The more they tried to stop her, the closer she got. She wasn’t backing down. Not now.


    Stay updated with galnσν??????.c?m


    Phone in hand, Ste marched straight to William Briggs’ apartment next door. She couldn’t carry the weight of her findings alone anymore—he had to know what she’d uncovered.


    But no matter how long she knocked, the door stayed shut.


    Frowning, she pulled up his number.


    The line rang and rang until finally, a woman’s polite voice answered.


    “Hello, Mr. Briggs is currently in an important international video conference and can’t take calls. May I ask who’s speaking and if I can pass along a message?”


    Ste froze for a moment before replying automatically, “Sylvia Gilbert. I have something urgent to discuss with him, about…”<fnfc26> ?????? ???? find[?]ovel</fnfc26>


    The secretary cut in, still courteous but coolly firm. “Ms. Gilbert, Mr. Briggs made it clear that this acquisition meeting is top priority. He can’t be disturbed. I’ll remind him to return your call afterward. Will that be alright?”


    Ste’s chest tightened.


    An overseas acquisition?


    She hadn’t heard a word about the Briggs Group working on one.


    And now, even when she told them it was urgent, William was too busy to take her call.


    Last night’s events and the venomous phone threat reyed in her head. He’d assured her she coulde to him with anything. Yet, the one time she reached out—he wasn’t there.


    “No need,” she said, her voice clipped and cool. “It’s nothing important. Sorry to bother you.”


    She hung up and stared at the nk screen of her phone, her reflection faint in the ss. The weight of disappointment pressed down on her chest. Leaning back against the wall, Ste lowered her head, eyes burning. Why was he never there when she needed him most? And if he couldn’t keep his promises, then why make them in the first ce?


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    Message from Noah: Great Friday for you dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (???﹏???) ? ?? ??


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