Chapter 1471: Everything about my sister is personal to me

[Try to stop me. Tick is ticking.]

Another wave of laughter echoed through the event hall before the lights finally came back on. As the laughter faded into the background, confusion began to spread among the crowds.

"That guy is going to breach Prime Group’s security system?" someone from the crowd gasped. "And once he does, he’ll spread all the data for the world to see? Oh shoot! That’s insane!"

"This is bad. Very bad."

"Not for us, but for Prime Group and its clientele. It’s going to make headlines for sure."

As the crowd exchanged hushed whispers, the players on the stage looked at one another. Now that the lights were fully on, they could see the shock etched on everyone’s faces. Some paled while others still carried the remnants of their previous intense fight.

And just as they were trying to process everything, a loud voice drew their attention.

"Penelope!" A group of men marched toward Penny from the side of the stage. They stopped in front of her, their faces a mix of disbelief and confusion. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Miss Bennet, please tell us this is all part of the event," another huffed. "There’s no way this is actually happening."

"From what I heard, this ’X’ person is called the Vigilante from the underground," added another sternly. "And if I’m correct, this person has already caused data breaches and leaked information about many people."

"Miss Bennet, this isn’t true, is it?!"

"It can’t be!"

"Please, tell us!"

Penny scanned their faces—anger, panic, confusion. All understandable, since they were holders of Fortress. They would be the first to suffer if their confidential files were leaked. Not that they had anything horrible to hide.

Penny had chosen her clients carefully. Still, a data leak would be damaging. These were people with powerful rivals in both business and politics.

"Miss Bennet!" another voice called out, louder this time. "What in the world is happening?"

"I’m afraid... it’s true," Penny said, remaining calm as she looked each of them in the eye. "It seems this X person has infiltrated the event."

The moment the words left Penny’s lips, the crowd gasped. Many had suspected it might be real, but some were still hoping it was just part of the show—a surprise twist, maybe a bonus round. Something Prime Group had orchestrated. After all, Penny knew how to stir emotions.

But they were wrong.

"This is not part of the show," Penny said, loud and clear. Since the speakers were off, her voice carried through the hall. "We’re being challenged by this person and in... less than ten minutes, he’s going to launch a cyber attack."

She paused and looked back at her distinguished guests. "And if he succeeds... we’re all going to be in trouble."

"What?!" the guests cried out in horror.

Some of the older ones swayed slightly, the weight of the moment was too much. Holding their heads, they looked at her with fury.

"Penelope, how could this happen?!" one of them shouted. "Why are you acting so calm about this? In ten minutes, the consequences will be unimaginable! Don’t you understand that?"

"Miss Penelope Bennet, how could he infiltrate Fortress?" one of the younger businessmen asked, managing to stay composed though his nerves were screaming. "Fortress is supposed to offer the strongest protection against cyber attacks. And yet, this person—X—managed to get in?"

"That’s right," another man nodded. "Didn’t you say the event is currently using Fortress? That it’s safe from external attacks?"

"Don’t tell me Fortress can block every cyber attack except this one person?"

Again, all eyes turned to Penny — anxious, expectant. Their fear was quickly turning into frustration. But what upset them the most was her apparent lack of urgency.

"How is she going to answer if you’re not giving her the chance?" Just then, Atlas stepped forward from the group and stood beside his sister. He studied her side profile briefly, then turned to face the guests. "All these years, Prime Group has given you security so you could sleep at night in peace. And now, one threat from someone who doesn’t even show his face or reveal his real voice, and you’ve already forgotten who helped you rest easy."

"Mr. Bennet, Miss Bennet may be your sister, but with all due respect, this problem isn’t just hers," one of the guests said with a deep frown. "We are all at risk here—including the Pierson Corporation. This is not a personal attack on Miss Bennet. So please, don’t take it personally."

"Everything about my sister is personal to me," Atlas shot back coldly, his voice chilling the room. "And even if I pretend it’s business, then that makes this situation even harder to understand."

He stepped forward, looking the nearest man in the eye. "The Pierson Corporation has trusted Prime Group since before I took office. And now you’re saying I’m being too personal?"

"First—"

"Sir Atlas is right!" Before Penny could stop him, Patricia boldly stepped forward. She stood before the group of powerful men—men who, just earlier, had been trying to curry favor with Penny. But now, at the first sign of trouble, they were turning on her.

Patricia took a breath. This was her moment to prove her loyalty. "With all due respect, good sirs, you trusted Prime Group with something incredibly important—your security. And you know better than anyone that earning that trust wasn’t easy."

"But it was worth it," she added, emphasizing everything she’d learned through her long hours of study about Prime Group. "Just as you once waited patiently and placed your full trust in the company, I hope you don’t let one unknown felon break that trust now."

"I see this as not just an attack on Prime Group—but on all of you," she continued firmly. "Let’s not allow one nameless man to drive a wedge between you and Prime Group."

Atlas: "..." Looking at Patricia with a raised brow.

That was unexpected.

Penny, meanwhile, stood with her mouth slightly agape, eyes wide with surprise. After a moment, Patricia glanced back at her and gave a smug smirk.