After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 188

“Okay, let’s go home for dinner,” Catherine said, her voice turning shy. “I’ve really missed you.”

“I missed you too,” Lawrence replied, his laugh low and warm.

She glanced at him, her nerves fluttering. “Is my dad happy with your work?”

Lawrence chuckled. “I think so.”

That was all Catherine needed to hear. As long as her dad, Nestor, spent more time with Lawrence, she was sure he’d realize just how great he was.

***

At five o’clock, in the private CEO elevator in the underground garage of Nexus Dynamics, Lawrence checked his watch with one hand in his pocket. He looked over at Magee, who stood next to him. “I’ve only got thirty minutes.”

Magee’s face was tense. He spoke quickly. “Lawrence, we just got an urgent message from the North American branch. LIGHTHOUSE’s core tech came under a coordinated hacker attack at three this afternoon. They’re coming after us hard, our defenses are under a lot of pressure. The source points to Shadow. Looks like they’re still obsessed with our core tech.”

There was a flicker of coldness in Lawrence’s eyes. “How bad is it?”

“We’ve already kicked off the highest-level emergency procedures. Defense systems are up and running, nothing’s been breached yet,” Magee reported, keeping his cool.

“Start the second sequence of Zero System.” Lawrence strode into an office on the top floor. His voice was steady. “Cut every non-essential external data channel. Switch to the backup system. Set up a decoy to draw their attack. Enter Zero System.”

Magee’s tension faded, replaced by a spark of excitement.

“Have Nicol run point. Trace their attack back to the source. This time, we hit them instead.”

“Got it,” Magee answered immediately.

Lawrence pulled out his phone and dialed an international number. When the call connected, he spoke quietly. “It’s your turn.”

A voice answered with a cocky laugh. “Got it, Lawrence.”

Lawrence couldn’t help but smile. “Still as reckless as ever.”

“I heard you got married. Next time I’m back, introduce me to your wife.”

“Count on it.”

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