Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Meanwhile, a tiny cheer came from behind the desk at the Howard residence.

“Got it!” Nate’s small figure almost went unseen in front of the 32–inch curved computer monitor in the study.

The contrast between his expertise in working on the computer and his childlike features was striking.

Nate had once seen a picture in Brian’s safe, a small ID photo of a pretty, clean–cut girl in a school uniform. But he had never met this girl among the people he knew.

With Brian out, Nate had finally cracked the password to his father’s computer, and in a locked photo album, he found more pictures of the mysterious girl.

“Holy moly…” he gasped in amazement. His eyes widened as he scrutinized the woman’s face. on the screen.

Nate had a hunch that this girl might be his mom, despite what people said about him being the son of the disliked Ms. Harris. He didn’t feel like he looked anything like Ms. Harris. And he hated the term “bastard“. It sounded like an insult.

“Nate?” Brian’s voice suddenly called from outside the door.

Startled and not nearly done with the photos, Nate’s legs trembled as he quickly shut down the album and scampered to the door, latching onto Brian’s leg with a puppy–like eagerness.

Brian glanced at the still–lit computer screen and frowned.

Since Nate started thinking for himself, he has shown an exceptional understanding and capability with electronics.

Though he was a late talker, his reading skills had surpassed his peers. He skipped learning phonics altogether and went straight to recognizing words. So, working a computer was no big deal for Nate.

“Didn’t I tell you not to touch the computer in the study?” Brian asked sternly, his voice dropping.

It was rare for Brian to be this harsh with Nate, leaving the boy flustered. “Da, Daddy,” he began, but his mouth hung open, unable to finish.

“Take Nate to bed,” Brian said, his gaze softening as he looked at Nate’s sad little face. He whispered to the nanny behind him.

His temper, which had reached a boiling point, subsided somewhat at the sight of his son’s woeful expression.

Nate looked back at Brian several times, his heart sinking as the nanny pulled him into his room, too scared to call out for his father again.

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Chapter 24

The study was off–limits to Nate. Apart from Brian himself, no one else was allowed in.

After Nate disappeared into his room, Brian turned and closed the study door with a definitive thud.

Only the crystal globe with the carousel Inside, placed in the glass cabinet, glowed faintly in the darkness.

Brian walked up to the cabinet slowly, staring intently at the globe.

The phone in his pocket vibrated, a subtle sound in the silence.

Just before the caller hung up, Brian pressed the answer button and held the phone to his ear.

“Mr. Howard, we’ve got a response from FireWing!” Reid’s voice was tinged with excitement on the other end of the line.

Brian quickly logged onto the hacker forum.

FireWing had sent a message, which read. [Your request.]

Brian considered his words, [Encrypted files on the CEO’s computer at JoyCorp.]

FireWing replied, [JoyCorp? So, you know I was the one who breached your WL Center Building firewall for JoyCorp, and now you come to me. I’m sorry, but we have our principles. I can get you encrypted files from any company except JoyCorp.]

Brian retorted, [Name your price. Twenty times is just a starting point.]

After sending the message, Brian realized he had been deleted by the other party, no longer a

contact.

He frowned, staring at the now–offline avatar of FireWing.

This hacker was interesting. Millions of dollars didn’t seem to tempt him.

Behind him, Reid said softly, “Mr. Howard, our tracking indicates that a signal suspected to be FireWing’s was present at Prestige Penthouses for a few seconds. FireWing might be in the country right now.”

Prestige Penthouses was where Natalie was living.