The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

[Security Hub]: A sudden, concentrated elite force is launching an unprecedented, high-intensity hybrid attack on three of our nation’s core network nodes.

The attackers are exploiting several extremely tricky low-level protocol vulnerabilities and logic bombs that we’ve never encountered before.

Our standard defense systems are being devoured. Two nodes are already showing signs of instability. We estimate we can hold out for another hour and a half at most.

We’re counting on you!

Natalie’s gaze froze for a split second. The reality was likely even worse than they described. An hour and a half… the clock was definitely ticking.

If the core nodes were breached, the resulting damage and chain reaction would be catastrophic.

Natalie thought for only two seconds before typing her reply.

[Unknown Visitor]: Fine.

[Security Hub]: Where are you located, sir? We will dispatch a private jet to pick you up immediately.

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The complexity and danger of the situation had escalated beyond what remote assistance could handle.

This likely involved state-level espionage and sabotage. Dealing with the source, the methods, and the risk of internal moles required a high-security, physically isolated environment and specialized hardware.

Remote access was too risky. If she were counter-traced or the signal was jammed, the consequences would be dire.

Furthermore, certain vulnerabilities within specific hardware or closed networks required a hands-on approach.

[Unknown Visitor]: No need. I’ll be there in an hour.

She didn’t move immediately after hitting send.

First, she powered down the hotel laptop and wiped every trace of her session. Then, from a hidden compartment in her backpack, she pulled out a silver USB drive no bigger than a thumb.

Natalie headed out and called Blondie.

“Yo, Boss, what’s up?”

“Pick me up. We’re going to Harbor City”, Natalie said.

“Got it!” Blondie replied.

14:34 Thu, May 14

Chapter 8

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Seaside City and Harbor City were neighbors. With a fast car, they arrived in exactly one hour.

The black SUV pulled up in front of an unassuming grey building in Harbor City, heavily guarded and nondescript.

This was a regional headquarters for the National Cyber Security Agency. It looked like a standard research institute on the outside, but the internal security was maximum-grade.

Natalie stepped out of the car. A stern-faced middle-aged officer with high-ranking insignia hurried to meet her, flanked by tech officials and security detail.

“You… you’re 73?” the officer stammered.

Disbelief washed over them. How could this eighteen-year-old girl be the elite hacker who had just sent shockwaves through the international community?

Natalie stood before him, her face an unreadable mask of calm. “Yeah.”

The officer suppressed his shock. This operation was top-secret; there was no room for error.

He extended a hand, showing no trace of condescension, only urgency. “I’m Richard Chamberlain, head of the department. Please, follow me.”

Natalie gave his hand a brief squeeze. “Lead the way.”

Richard turned quickly, leading her through layers of checkpoints into the core command center deep underground.

On a massive wraparound screen, flashing red alerts and chaotic data streams screamed of the crisis at hand.

The air was thick with tension. Dozens of the country’s top tech experts were huddled together, brows drenched in sweat.

When they noticed the arrival of this impossibly young, serene girl, the entire room froze for a heartbeat.

Countless eyes turned toward her, filled with shock, doubt, and blatant irritation.

Natalie ignored them entirely. Her eyes went straight to the main screen, dissecting the data streams with surgical precision.

After less than three seconds, she walked toward the central terminal, the one with master-level system access.

She pulled out a chair and sat down. She plugged in the silver USB, her fingers dancing across the keys so fast they became a blur.

The screen didn’t show the standard interface they all knew. Instead, it flipped to a stark, almost primitive environment filled with strange symbols and dynamic data flows.

The commands she typed weren’t standard code, they looked like a highly condensed “language.”

14:34 Thu, May 14

Chapter 8

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“What is she doing?” a senior firewall expert whispered, scowling. “Those aren’t standard protocol instructions! It looks like… some homemade script? This is a joke!”

“Mr. Chamberlain, this is no time for an amateur to play around!” an old man in charge of encryption added sharply. “Every second counts!”

“Why is she deleting all our previous code?” someone blurted out.

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