Asking for Trouble?
1068 Words
Sophia couldn't help but bitterly smile at her own naivety; only now did she fully comprehend the gravity of everything.
"Sophie, don't be heartbroken... Let me handle this matter from now on," Ethan, still concerned about Sophia, earnestly advised. "You don't need to worry about it anymore."
"I understand, but how can I not worry?" Sophia replied, masking her deep concerns with a faint smile. The Turner family's plight was largely due to her, and she couldn't just stand by idly. However, she reassured Ethan, not wanting to burden him further.
"All right, how are things going with the Vogue International Group’s branch in Hilltown City? Do you need any help from me?" Ethan shifted the topic, unwilling to dwell on the unpleasant matters.
"Don’t worry, I’m just handling the design aspect; other matters are taken care of by the professionals. It doesn’t require my excessive attention," Sophia reassured him, gathering her emotions and offering a gentle smile.
"That's good to hear. Make sure you do well with the task Jason has entrusted to you. Don't let him down," Ethan said, his mood lightening at the mention of his old friend.
"I won’t, brother," Sophia nodded in agreement, appreciating Ethan's concern.
Recalling the torrential night five years ago, Sophia remembered collapsing from exhaustion in the rain. If it weren't for Ethan, who was overseas and had been vigilantly watching over the Turner estate, and his friend Jason who happened to visit Hilltown City, she and her mother might not have made it. Jason’s timely intervention had saved them, particularly since Sophia’s pregnancy was at risk due to the ordeal.
Reflecting on those harrowing times still sent shivers down her spine. She learned of her pregnancy later, and due to the extreme stress and her collapse, the pregnancy had been perilous, necessitating treatment overseas.
Over the last five years, Ethan had rushed back to oversee Turner Enterprises during their crisis, leaving Jason to look after Sophia. His care extended beyond Sophia to her twins, Alex and Lily. His dedication and meticulousness were beyond words, and for this, Sophia felt a profound sense of gratitude.
In the bedroom, the two little ones, knowing that their mother and uncle had serious matters to discuss, obediently retreated to their room. However, they couldn't resist eavesdropping, especially upon hearing about Nathan Scott's involvement in their grandfather's injury and the crisis that befell the Turner family five years ago.
Both Alex and Lily frowned at the mention of Nathan Scott, a name that resonated negatively with them. Despite Sophia never mentioning Nathan in front of them, they had pieced together his identity and his relationship with Sophia from her nightmarish mumblings over the years.
Realizing that Nathan might also have been behind the family's crisis, a sense of loathing filled their hearts.
They rushed to Alex's bed, where he pulled out a laptop from his Pikachu-themed suitcase. The siblings quickly accessed the official website of Scott Enterprises, displaying advanced computing skills. After some rapid typing and programming, Alex looked satisfied.
"Hmm, not bad. This time the color looks so real, even the steam," Lily commented, unwrapping a lollipop with an air of nonchalance.
"Are you sure you can still enjoy that lollipop after watching this?" Alex asked, a hint of disdain in his voice as he gazed at his sister, baffled by her peculiar taste.
"No problem! The lollipop tastes even better with this view. It's milky and delicious!" Lily retorted, blissfully ignorant of Alex's disapproval.
"Whatever you say, sis. Just make sure they can’t resolve it quickly this time," Alex commented as they watched the havoc they'd unleashed on Scott Enterprises’ website.
Jason Moore, who had inadvertently taught them programming, never imagined his lessons would lead to such a use. If he knew, he might have had a very different reaction.
Meanwhile, the official website of Scott Enterprises was virtually paralyzed, not due to inoperability but due to an embarrassing situation that plunged the entire company into a bizarre state.
Clifford Ryan hurriedly entered Nathan's office, awkwardly announcing, "CEO, our website has been..."
Before he could finish, Nathan cut in sharply, "Spit it out, will you?"
Seeing no other option, Clifford Ryan suggested, "Perhaps you should see for yourself."
Nathan’s expression darkened as he accessed the website, only to be greeted by an image of a large, steaming pile of excrement, brazenly occupying the entire screen. The words below read: "Nathan Scott, you are nothing but a piece of history."
Furious, Nathan demanded immediate action. Yet, the tech department struggled to resolve the issue promptly, indicating the complexity of the sabotage.
Half an hour later, Nathan located the IP address, which surprisingly was in Hilltown City. This revelation startled Clifford Ryan, as previous attacks were traced back to foreign locations.
Simultaneously, back at the Elms Garden luxury residential complex, Alex and Lily keenly monitored the effects of their digital mischief on Scott Enterprises' website. Alex had anticipated it would take at least a day for the technical team to decode his malware, but to his dismay, it was resolved in just an hour.
"Darn, they’ve traced my computer. I'm exposed," Alex panicked, realizing the seriousness of the situation.
Lily, more composed, reassured him, showing him a connected device. Relieved, Alex shut down the computer, impressed by his sister's foresight and cunning.
In the morning, Sophia woke up lazily in her bed, greeted by the sight of her two children standing by her bedside.
"What's up?" Sophia asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes, instantly alert upon seeing her kids' expectant faces.
"Mommy, didn't you forget? You promised to have lunch with Aunt Lin today!" Alex pointed to his smartwatch, showing the time.
Realizing she was running late, Sophia hurried to get ready. The trio soon left for their lunch date.
At the Green Mall, Sophia and her kids quickly spotted Lin Qianyu, a renowned actress and Sophia's close friend, waiting for them. Despite Lin's attempt to blend in with sunglasses and a hat, Sophia was concerned about her attracting paparazzi attention.
Lin, however, was more focused on meeting Sophia's adorable twins, marveling at their cuteness and joking about the difference in their ages.
Sophia, dealing with the antics of her children and the playful banter of her friend, felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she was ready to face them head-on, with her family and friends by her side.
- Writer
