The Billionaire Heir Fell for the Wrong Girl (Hathaway Whitmore) novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Chapter 82

The next day, Hathaway walked into the office as usual.

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She’d been working for a while when, around ten, her internal line rang. “Ms. Whitmore, Killian and Ian from R&D haven’t shown up today, and we can’t get through to them. Not sure what’s going on.”

Hathaway’s heart clenched. She quickly called Killian, but no one picked up.

She tried Ian next, but he didn’t answer either.

She got in touch with Ian’s family, and they said he’d left for work that morning.

Hathaway felt like she’d been plunged into an ice–cold pit. The realization hit her instantly.

It had to be Jeremiah.

Jeremiah was the type who never missed a thing, not the tiniest sign that something was off.

He’d always been suspicious of them, but she’d managed to shield them before. Yesterday, he probably caught her looking smug and decided to get revenge right away.

‘Jeremiah is such a petty, vicious bastard!‘ Hathaway fumed inwardly. ‘If he actually uncovers anything…‘

Hathaway grabbed her bag and rushed to Blackwood Tech.

*****

Meanwhile, in Jeremiah’s office, several computer screens displayed a series of mind–bogglingly complex encryption algorithms.

This was deep–level code Jeremiah had personally designed, so advanced that his top tech team would need hours to break through it. Normally used for security drills, his most skilled people couldn’t always solve it in one shot.

The tech director frowned and leaned in to whisper to Jeremiah, “Mr. Blackwood, this is way too hard. I don’t think they can-”

Jeremiah leaned back in his chair, watching with a cold gaze.

They kept guessing his company’s secrets correctly. If all they did was steal info, they’d never have the chops to pull this off.

Jeremiah jerked his chin at Killian and Ian. “Crack it, and you’re free to go. Otherwise, you’re not leaving this room today.”

Behind Jeremiah stood a row of bodyguards who’d escorted them in.

Killian and Ian were furious, but smart enough to keep their heads down.

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Chapter 82

The sound of their fingers flying over the keyboards rang out in the quiet office.

The seconds dragged on, each one feeling longer than the last.

Half an hour later, a line of green code flashed across the leftmost screen.

Level one was done.

The second screen lit up right after.

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The code was clean and precise; every step hit the mark, and there were a few tweaks that outperformed Jeremiah’s own team’s solutions.

A message flashed on the big screen: [Verification Complete.]

The office went dead silent.

The tech director froze, instinctively glancing at Jeremiah.

For the first time, Jeremiah’s cold eyes showed a hint of surprise.

He exchanged a glance with the tech director. These two actually managed to follow his train of thought, grasp his logic, and predict what he was trying to do with the design.

They had real talent.

‘Was it really all a coincidence?‘ Jeremiah couldn’t help but wonder.

*****

Hathaway stormed past the front desk and barged straight into Jeremiah’s office.

“Jeremiah, what did you do with my employees?” Hathaway snapped.

Spotting Killian and Ian, Hathaway finally breathed out, then stepped protectively in front of them. “Mr. Blackwood, because you’re outmatched doesn’t mean you get to bully my people.”

Jeremiah shot her a look. “Outmatched? Me?”

The tech director’s eye gave a violent twitch.

In all of Bayridge, there wasn’t a soul who could outmatch Jeremiah. Killian and Ian were clearly top–tier, but when it came to pure speed and logic, they still couldn’t come close to Jeremiah.

“I’m taking them with me right now,” Hathaway said.

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow at her frantic state. “What’s got you so rattled?”

Hathaway’s chest rose and fell sharply. “They’re a couple of regular employees! Do you really have to go this far? Jeremiah, can’t you be reasonable for once?”

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“They’re anything but ordinary,” Jeremiah replied coldly.

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Jeremiah shot Killian a look, and Hathaway instantly braced herself, stepping in front of him like she was ready to go to war for him.

‘Jeremiah’s definitely got his sights set on Killian,‘ Hathaway thought.

Hathaway forced herself to sound confident. “Jeremiah, you’re obsessed with control! You can’t stand it when someone’s one step ahead of you, or when someone figures you out! All you ever do is go to extremes!”

The more agitated Hathaway got, the calmer Jeremiah became.

Jeremiah stared at her tear–bright eyes and the fists she had clenched so tightly.

“Every time, right in front of me, you end up on the same wavelength as I am. Hathaway, do you really think that’s some random coincidence?” he said.

He paused, meeting her gaze directly. “Or have you known the truth all along?”

Killian gently pulled Hathaway aside at the right moment. “Mr. Blackwood, you promised we’d be free to go once we cleared your challenge.”

Jeremiah stared at him for a long moment. “Take them back.”

Hathaway looked up, utterly shocked. ‘Is he really letting them walk out like this?‘

Jeremiah turned away, his voice icy as he walked back to his desk. “I’ll let them go. But Hathaway, remember this-”

He paused, casting a sideways glance at her, his eyes dark and unfathomable. “Next time someone makes me suspicious, I won’t be so lenient. That includes you.”

“Show her out,” Jeremiah ordered.

Hathaway stood there, stunned, until Killian took her by the arm and led her out.

Her people were safe.

But Hathaway knew deep down that Jeremiah wasn’t fooled by the whole coincidence.

He was only letting her slide for now.

Hathaway brought Killian and Ian back to her company.

Everyone looked pretty grim, and the whole ride back was dead silent until they finally stepped into the office.

“Ms. Whitmore,” Killian started, his voice still a little hoarse. “What exactly did Mr. Blackwood mean by all that?”

Hathaway did her best to hide her anxiety, forcing her voice to stay calm and gentle. “It’s okay now. He

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Chapter 82

misunderstood, and I’ve already cleared things up with him. He won’t bother you again.”

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