Chapter 003
1248 Words
“Because we've already signed the contract,” Marcus replied casually. “And because your problem isn't over yet.” Then the man turned the tablet screen toward Ellen, who was standing next to him.
“This isn't just a liquidity crisis; it's a multi-layered sabotage. Three subsidiaries are being squeezed at the same time. One from within,” he continued.
Ellen stared at the screen for a long time. “This name,” she said softly. “He's my distant cousin.”
“All this time, you've been too soft, and they've taken advantage of that,” Marcus commented, because he also had no right to judge the woman he had just met.
“Are you blaming me?” Ellen looked at Marcus, she seemed to be considering his words.
“I'm stating a fact,” Marcus replied. “Your company survives because of its reputation, not its structure. And that reputation is being destroyed.”
“I never wanted this.” Ellen looked down.
“I don't want a lot of things either,” Marcus said. “But desires are rarely relevant.” He stood up, took the box of watches, and placed it on a small shelf near the window. His movements were slow, almost ritualistic.
“You treat that thing like a person,” Ellen said.
“Because it's a witness, and it's certainly more loyal than humans.” Marcus seemed indifferent.
Ellen stared at him, this time for longer. “You talk like someone who has lost a lot.”
Marcus didn't answer. He walked to the small balcony, staring at the city lights reflecting off buildings far more magnificent than where they stood now.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Ellen asked from behind.
“Cut off the black money flow,” Marcus replied. “And close one name.”
“That sounds dangerous,” Ellen said.
“Our contract is indeed unsafe,” Marcus replied without turning his head.
“If you fail.” Ellen stood in the doorway of the balcony.
Marcus turned slightly. “I won't fail.” His tone was calm, but not empty of conviction. That statement made Ellen swallow hard.
On the table, Marcus's tablet lit up again. This time it wasn't a financial report. A short message appeared, about a target he was tracking, but Marcus chose to turn off the tablet screen.
“Go to sleep,” he said briefly. “Tomorrow will be a long day.”
Ellen wanted to ask more questions, but she didn't because she knew she had to hold back until she found out whether Marcus did what he said he would do or not.
***
“You don't need to come with me,” Ellen said as she walked quickly through the revolving door of the Vierra Group lobby. Her shoes clattered against the marble, her steps firm, her face once again wearing the expression of a CEO known to the public.
“I'm already coming,” Marcus replied casually from beside her.
Several pairs of eyes immediately glanced over. Whispers arose among the staff who had just arrived at work.
“Is that her husband?”
“The one who went viral yesterday?”
“They say he doesn't have any position.”
Ellen could hear them, but she chose to quicken her pace.
“You know how they look at you,” she said in a half-whisper.
“Yes, and they look at me like I’m unemployed.” Marcus seemed relaxed, unconcerned with people’s opinions of him.
“That’s not something to be proud of.”
“I’m not proud of it.”
They entered the private elevator. The doors closed. Silence.
Ellen sighed. “I just don't want any more problems today.”
“You already have too many,” said Marcus. “One more won't change the statistics.”
“You always talk like that.” Ellen glanced at him.
“Because numbers rarely lie.”
The elevator stopped on the executive floor.
As soon as the doors opened, the atmosphere changed. It was colder. More tense. A large monitor on the wall displayed graphs of unsigned contracts, the numbers flashing red.
Mr. David was waiting in front of the central IT room. A man in his forties with a neat shirt and a professional smile.
“Mrs. Wilson,” he said. “We have prepared the security report as requested.”
Ellen nodded. “This is my husband.”
David glanced at Marcus briefly, quickly, almost reflexively.
“Congratulations, I hope you're comfortable in this city.”
“Enough,” Marcus replied coldly, cutting David off.
David smiled thinly. “Then let's—” David was still trying to talk to Marcus.
“How long has the backdoor been active?” Marcus interrupted, stopping Ellen in her tracks.
“What do you mean?” the woman asked, confused.
David chuckled softly. “Excuse me?”
“You used medium-level encryption to disguise the injection,” Marcus continued. “But you forgot one thing.”
David swallowed. “I don't understand what you're talking about.”
Marcus turned to Ellen. “I need a laptop.”
Ellen hesitated. “Marcus, this is the IT department. They—”
“I need a laptop,” Marcus repeated firmly.
“Five minutes.” Ellen sighed, then took a tablet from the hands of a stunned staff member.
“Two,” said Marcus. He immediately sat down, his fingers moving instantly. No small talk. No adjustments. The screen was filled with lines of code that made several staff members look at each other.
“What is he doing?” whispered one staff member, looking at Marcus in confusion.
David stepped forward. “Mrs. Wilson, this is not procedural.”
“Shut up,” said Ellen. Her tone was cold.
Marcus stopped typing. “Found it,” the man continued in a mysterious tone.
He turned the screen around. “The regional backup server,” he continued. “Every two in the morning, a data packet goes out. Not to the bank. Not to the client. But to a private node overseas.”
“That's impossible.” Ellen stared at the screen and shook her head.
“Because your reports are filtered,” replied Marcus. “By your own IT chief.”David laughed stiffly. “This is a serious accusation. Our system has been audited three times.”“Audited by whom,” asked Marcus. “The team you chose.”Marcus's words succeeded in making David's face pale.“You sold the energy contract secrets,” Marcus continued. “And left yourself an escape route in case you got caught.”“You have no proof,” David raised his voice.Marcus typed one last line. The screen flashed.“Now the escape route is closed,” he said. “And the evidence is locked away.”Ellen stood up slowly. “David.”David took a step back. “Ma'am, listen to me.”“How long?” Ellen asked. Her voice was almost tremorless.David fell silent, not daring to ask for more.“How long have you been stealing from my company!” Ellen asked coldly, but the woman got no answer.The door suddenly opened. Two men in security uniforms entered. Their faces were ordinary. Too ordinary.“We're taking over,” one of them said briefly, looking at Marcus.Marcus nodded slightly.“This isn't legal!” David looked at Ellen in panic.
- Writer
