Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 114

Chapter 114

The Cyber10 office was in an uproar barely controlled panic.

When

they arrived. Jake met them at the elevator on the development floor, his usually calm demeanor replaced by

“It’s worse than I thought,” he said, falling into step beside them. “The virus bypassed all our security protocols. It’s like it knew exactly where the vulnerabilities were.”

“Because it did,” Sutton said grimly, moving as quickly as her pregnant body would allow. “I have a feeling the first attack was reconnaissance. This is the real assault.”

Luca’s hand remained at the small of her back, steadying and protective as they hurried to her station. “What data has been compromised?”

“Everything,” Jake replied. “Kingston’s client databases, project files, even our backup systems. It’s spreading faster than we can track it.”

The development room was crowded with bleary–eyed staff called in from their homes. Elliott sat hunched over his keyboard, face pale with exhaustion. Nicole stood nearby, arms crossed tightly, watching the activity with barely concealed fury.

“About time,” she snapped when she spotted them. “This is all your fault, Sutton.”

Luca’s expression darkened. “That’s enough, Nicole.”

Sutton ignored them both, moving straight to her workstation. She sat down and began typing immediately.

“I need access to the kernel logs,” she said to Elliott. “And someone get me the network traffic data from when the attack started.”

For the next hour, Sutton worked in complete focus, barely speaking except to request information or issue instructions. Luca stayed close, filtering questions, bringing her water, creating a buffer between her and the increasing tension in the room.

“It’s definitely targeted,” she said finally, looking up from her screen. “Someone uninstalled my Ai virus detection program from the Kingston system.”

“Who would do that?” Elliott asked.

Sutton glanced at Luca, a silent communication passing between them. “I have an idea, but first we need to contain the virus.”

Her fingers flew across the keyboard, building digital walls, creating countermeasures. Luca watched her work, amazed at her skill and intensity. Who would have guessed six months ago she had been a model… This was so different from her life with him before.

“I need everyone out of the system,” she announced. “Log out of everything. Now.”

The team complied, confusion evident on their faces.

“What are you going to do?” Jake asked.

A

“I’m going to set a trap,” Sutton replied, not looking up. “The virus is smart, but it has a signature. If I can isolate it, I can reverse–engineer it.”

“That could take days,” Nicole objected.

“Not with the framework I built last time,” Sutton said. “Luca, I need your authorization codes.”

He provided them without hesitation, trusting her completely.

Three more hours passed, the night deepening outside the windows. Gradually, as the immediate crisis stabilized, Luca sent the staff home in shifts. By 3 AM, only he, Sutton, Jake, Elliott, and Nicole remained.

go,” Sutton said, finally leaning back in her chair. “The containment protocol is working. I’ve isolated

damaged

to take time, but Kingston’s won’t lose much,

the progress indicators on his screen.

we should all get some rest,” Luca said, his tone making it clear it wasn’t a suggestion. “Let the team know

night.”

Jake nodded.

should stay to monitor

Sutton said before Luca

countered immediately.

mouth tightened. “I don’t

off. “All of you.

they gathered their things. Jake squeezed Sutton’s shoulder as he passed.

out and before setting the lock on the lift,” Luca said once they were ready to

but her posture had changed. Her shoulders slumped, one hand rubbing her lower back, exhaustion evident in every

go home too,” she said without looking up. “I can finish

pulled a chair beside

“I’m ok.” She had messaged Keira to

live…”

hesitated, then said, “Let me help with your

her chair, presenting her back to him. Gently, Luca placed his hands on her shoulders, beginning a careful massage. She stiffened initially, then gradually relaxed as his fingers found and released

really good,” she murmured, her head

headaches at university,” he said, working his way

the baby’s weight created the

she said. “That’s where it

but firm, conscious of every small reaction from her body. The office was silent except for the

me tonight?” she asked

paused. “Because I want to every

to face him, their knees touching. “And why did you push me

her eyes, knowing he owed her

about the damaged files?”

backup. It’s going to take time, but Kingston’s won’t lose much,

the progress indicators on

get some rest,” Luca said, his tone making it clear it wasn’t a suggestion. “Let

night.”

Jake nodded.

should stay to monitor

stay,” Sutton said

immediately. “I’ll stay with

mouth tightened. “I

you. You’ve done enough tonight. We’ll handle

gathered their things. Jake squeezed Sutton’s shoulder as he passed. “That was incredible. I don’t know how you did

before setting the lock on

later, he found Sutton still at her workstation, but her posture

home too,” she said without looking up. “I can finish monitoring

chance.” Luca pulled a chair beside her. “You look dead on

faintly, hand moving to her belly. “I’m ok.” She had messaged Keira to let her know

live…”

me help with

chair, presenting her back to him. Gently, Luca placed his hands on her shoulders, beginning a careful massage. She

she murmured,