?Chapter 118:


    The call was unusual. The screen disyed no iing number, only asterisks.


    The number had been intentionally obscured to prevent tracing its identity. Upon answering, Vincent was greeted by a cold, mechanical voice.


    “Hello, Adams, it’s TS.”


    Vincent’s expression darkened as he nced at Katelyn, who seemedpletely baffled.


    Holding the phone, he spoke gravely. “It appears you know I’ve been investigating you?” The voice on the phone chuckled, distorted and metallic, adding to its eerie nature.


    Though not a speaker, Katelyn and Jaxen could overhear bits of the conversation due to their proximity. Katelyn subtly clenched her hand inside her sleeve.


    The caller was Briar.


    Katelyn had prepared for Vincent’s possible suspicions. She had pre-arranged with Briar to assist if needed.


    Her phone was set to send a signal to Briar by pressing the power button three times, a subtle movement she had made earlier while being questioned.


    This helped divert Vincent’s attention.


    The voice continued, “I’m aware of the issues at yourpany, and I won’t be med for others’ actions. I’ll address the firewall, but Mr. Adams, keep your team in check. I don’t appreciate my private life being scrutinized, and I hope we can resolve this matter amicably.”


    Vincent sensed a veiled threat in those words. Given TS’s renowned hacking prowess, the hacker certainly had the means to significantly impact Adams Group.


    Vincent responded icily, “Can I trust you when yourwork has beenpromised twice already?”


    The mechanical voice promised, “Within a week, I will overhaul your firewall and secure yourwork.”


    Vincent kept hisposure while ncing at Katelyn, monitoring her every subtle movement.


    “I’ll give you one chance. If the issue isn’t resolved, I’ll consider it a direct challenge.”


    “Understood,” was the curt reply before the call abruptly ended.


    Vincent looked at the now-darkened phone screen, a shadow of concern passing over his face.


    Both the caller ID and the voice had been thoroughly disguised to prevent identification.


    The unexpected call from TS to address the issue felt unsettling to Vincent, and he struggled to understand why.


    He handed the phone to Jaxen, asking, “The callsted over thirty seconds. Can you trace the caller’s exact location?”


    Jaxen examined the phone thoroughly, his expression grim.


    “This is TS. With his hacking skills, he’s beyond the reach of even ten people like mebined. Moreover, this is a virtual number. It could reroute through ten different locations within a minute. If we were to track TS, he wouldn’t have remained unssified for this long.”


    Vincent stared at the phone disy, filled with asterisks, and then suddenly looked up at Katelyn.


    “I recall you mentioned yesterday that a friend of yours is acquainted with TS.”


    Katelyn’s face tensed for a moment. Her priorment, meant to absolve her, now seemed to have entrapped her instead.


    Attempting to dismiss the implication, she smiled weakly and said, “My friend mentioned that, but I can’t verify if it’s him.”


    Vincent paused, then stated firmly, “I want to meet him.”


    .


    .


    .