True Love Waits

The IT director answered in a trembling voice, "Mr. Huo, we've never seen this sort of infection before. It changes every time it hops from one computer to the next. It moves code blocks out of the way, inserts itself, regenerates code and data references, including relocation information, and rebuilds the executable. It's different every time, so established pattern definitions don't defend against it. What's more, we jus can't keep up with it, since it replicates at an alarming rate..."

"Oh, is that so? Then you're all fired. Start looking for other jobs. We'll contract out for IT!" Carlos hung up the phone furiously.

Star Anise's message popped up on Carlos' computer screen again. "Mr. Huo, what's your decision?"

"One billion!" Carlos replied decisively.

"Deal." Star Anise added, "It's what I'd expected you'd offer anyway. So I was prepared to accept it. Perfect!"

Carlos' face completely darkened. If he could find out who the hacker was, he would skin him alive to vent his anger!

Carlos had thought he could track down who Star Anise was by investigating the bank account, but Dixon told him it was a dummy account. It had been shut down as soon as the hacker received the money. He did leave them a group of numbers, which also couldn't be traced. It was for tech support and service.

Carlos wondered if he'd been tricked, but all the computers returned to normal. There was no sign of the virus that had infected them. Not only that, cloud backups were operating normally.

Successfully going through the employee recognition system at the ZL Group's parking lot, Sheffield drove inside and parked his car at a particular spot. Then, he went straight to the floor where Evelyn's office

was.

This time, besides Nadia, there were two more people working as secretaries. Nadia was the first one to spot Sheffield. She stood up and greeted him. "Good morning, Mr. Tang."

"Hello! Your boss in? I have something for her." Sheffield shook the paper bag in his hand. "I know I normally let you have first dibs, but this is Evelyn's favorite food."

Nadia smiled. "Thanks, Mr. Tang. But, our CEO is busy right now..." She forgot to explain the CEO inside the office wasn't the one he wanted to see.

worry. I won't disturb your boss. I just came here to give her something and I'll leave. Don't let me disturb you. I'll be fine."

other secretaries whispered

How did he get in here? Does he work for

slight smile, she said, "None of our

"Oh. Of course."

a chirpy voice, "Eve, Eve, my dear Eve..." The door was pushed open. A

quickly retreated a few steps and closed the door. He groaned

his future father-in-law,

gotta change tactics,' the doctor

clothes, smoothed his hair and

met the old man's sharp, ice-cold eyes. In a panic, he called out without thinking,

how the doctor addressed him, Carlos raised his fist and

Uncle... Wait,

him, Carlos threw a fist at Sheffield's face. The doctor dodged and ran toward the spacious room inside

he found out

Carlos locked the door. It required a passcode to open it. The old man was going to catch a rat in the

approached the doctor, slowly, deliberately-one step at a time. "Um...Mr. Huo, can't we talk this out? Please calm

suit jacket over the sofa

pressed his palms on the couch and jumped over it to dodge the attack. "Look, I know you don't want me to be with Evelyn. You don't have to punch me to make that sink in.

was like a bull seeing red. He ran after Sheffield as fast as he could; he didn't look like he was approaching sixty years old at all. When Sheffield ran to the door

to him. Left with no choice, he dodged his punch while

simply tapped in one set of passwords and unlocked it. Not knowing if he had restored the factory setting of

Sheffield in the face, and worse, the young man just escaped under his nose. In