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.

“The containment protocol is working. I’ve isolated the virus

damaged

our cloud backup. It’s going to take time, but

on his screen. “She’s right. The system’s

get some rest,” Luca said, his tone making it clear it wasn’t a suggestion. “Let the team know they are not needed for

night.”

Jake nodded.

stay to monitor

Sutton said

countered immediately. “I’ll stay

tightened. “I

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

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

out and before setting the lock on the

still at her workstation, but her

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

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

She had messaged Keira to let her know what was going on. “I’m

live…”

me help with your back. Turn

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

really good,” she murmured, her head dropping

get terrible tension headaches at university,” he said, working his way

her lower back, where the baby’s weight created the most strain. Sutton made a small sound

said. “That’s where

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

me tonight?” she asked suddenly.

“Because I want to every time I’m around

face him, their knees

dreading. He met her eyes, knowing he owed

the damaged files?” Elliott

initiated recovery from our cloud backup. It’s going to take time, but Kingston’s won’t lose much,

progress indicators on his

Luca said, his tone making it clear it wasn’t a suggestion. “Let the team know they are not

night.”

Jake nodded.

should stay to monitor the

Sutton said before Luca

alone,” he countered immediately. “I’ll

tightened. “I don’t

her off. “All of you. You’ve done enough

Sutton’s shoulder as he passed. “That was incredible. I don’t know

the lock on the lift,” Luca said once they were

room a few minutes later, he found Sutton still at her workstation, but her posture had changed. Her shoulders slumped, one hand rubbing her lower back, exhaustion

go home too,” she said without looking up.

pulled a chair beside her. “You look dead on your

ok.” She had messaged Keira to let her know what was going on. “I’m tired. My back hurts.

live…”

then said, “Let me help with your back. Turn a

in 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

good,” she murmured, her head dropping