Chapter 15

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The clock struck 3 PM, and the three–hour online showdown ended Websites worldwide were filled with Celandia’s bright flags, but there was no chaos, no trash talk.

The first hacked site showed a serene image of blooming roses, and the silence was deafening. It was a far cry from the qual mess, leaving the audience stunned. They couldn’t believe it–Celandia’s hackers had pulled off something truly remarkable.

This time, Celandia had stepped up in a big way. It was a total reversal from when foreign hackers used to mock them as “Celandia’s Weakling

The Brynton official website remained quiet, likely because there was no drama to report. The next day, they even changed their homepage banner to match the theme of blooming roses.

Stanley’s forum post went viral overnight, turning him from a laughingstock into an overnight sensation. The same overi who once attacked him were now gone–some even deleted their old comments and thanked him for being forgiving and giving them a second chance.

He replied to everyone: It’s not about me being forgiving. It’s my girl. She’s the real hero here.]

The forum members were stunned. Comments poured in. [Dude, are you talking about your actual sister, or is this just poetic, like calling your girlfriend my girl?] someone asked.

Stanley sent an eye–roll emoji and replied: [Poetic? She’s my biological sister.]

That only fueled their curiosity. Knowing roughly how old Stanley was, the idea of him having a younger sister just didn’t compute.

They couldn’t resist asking: [So, how old is your sister, buddy?]

Stanley glanced at the messages and shrugged as he typed back. [She’s just ten years old. Crazy, right?]

The message dropped like a bomb, plunging the alliance forum into chaos. Hackers who thought they were the best were stunned to learn they’d been led through a massive cyber–battle by a ten–year–old girl. It felt like something straight out of a

sci–fi movie.

Instead, they started reaching out to him privately,

Quinlyn’s room after a quick shower. Inside, she was curled up in bed, wrapped in a pink lace blanket and engrossed

doubt. He cleared his throat and said. “Hey, um. I was just wondering

just scratched the surface of the Internet, so the idea of selling code was as foreign as outer space to her. She glanced up from her book and asked, “Sell it? Is it

and pointed to the plastic bag on her bedside table, which held $30,000. “It’s worth more than you’d believe. It could easily sell for

in. Let’s sell it,”

to my account first. Tomorrow, I’ll help you set up your own.” With that, he

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Chapter 13

them, her smile growing She felt like she’d just won the lattery–happier than sheid

early, full of energy. She quickly got ready, ate breakfast, and

to bolt for work, and Tina was dipping on her yoga

looking a linle concerned. Quinlyn, what’s going on? Why are your up so

and just said quietly, “Waiting

for a second, then he smiled and said, “What are you going to do with

Maurice, her

laughed awkwardly and looked away. “Never mind. It’s okay if you don’t want

looking like he’d slept in his clothes. Maurice called out,

program went viral, and hackers who usually ignored him were suddenly all over him. He hadn’t slept until dawn. Yawning, he said, “Just opening a bank account. Gotta save up for Quinlyn”

the window, lost in thought, when she suddenly turned and blurted out, “Save up for her? She doesn’t have a part

out a quiet groan, feeling his frustration rise. He just

your money to yourself, okay? Don’t just hand it out.

you’re gonna play favorites, there’s a line. Quinlyn is your kid. Why are you acting like

left speechless. She couldn’t bring herself to admit that Quinlyn wasn’t her biological daughter. She glanced nervously at

too freely,” Maurice said, giving Stanley’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Quinlyn’s still young. Couldn’t she just keep her money in a piggy bank or something?”

his tone. “A piggy bank won’t cut it,” he said with shrug. “Quinlyn’s been making a fortune selling program online. It’s smarter to

mix of disbelief and bewilderment. A kid from

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