Chapter 87 Setting a Trap
“Ill explain this matter to the public.”
With that, Jake left decisively.
Anthony then flung his teacup at the door in a fury. Afterward, he took a deep breath before dialing a number. “Hey, there’s something I need you to take care of. Make sure to leave no trace behind.”
His eyes darkened with malice. “Gwen, it’s time to teach you a lesson. Let’s see if you understand the power of the Charles family in Bellmont.”
A week later, Gwen was set to meet with Quantum Corporation to discuss the software updates. She had gone with Alfie. This time, Quantum Corporation’s other board members would also attend the meeting to discuss further technological innovations.
As soon as she entered the conference room, she sensed a heavy atmosphere. Ashton and Jake sat in silence. She placed her bag and asked, “Mr. Duncan, why the long face?”
Ashton kept silent, hands resting on the table. His normally keen, smiling eyes now showed nothing but unmistakable irritation. He signaled to Colbie Livingston, “Explain the situation to Ms. Lawson.”
Ms. Lawson, about an hour ago, a large volume of encrypted files on nanorobots appeared on the dark web. Although no one has cracked the source code yet, it’s only a matter of time.”
Colbie’s gaze was cold. “I recall that we shared this source code with Savant Group just a couple of days ago. How is it that it’s leaked today?”
“Ms. Livingston, are you suggesting Savant Group leaked the files?” Gwen smiled faintly. “You can’t make such claims without concrete evidence.”
“It happened after we shared it with Savant Group. It’s hard not to connect the dots, Colbie said as if concluding the matter. “Perhaps you did it intentionally, Ms. Lawson.”
Gwen let out a cold laugh. “Ms. Livingston, I wonder how you even got your position on the board. Do you not use your brain? We could make a fortune by mass–producing this for the medical sector. Why would I leak it?”
Colbie was mocked, and her hand suddenly clenched on the table. “Maybe the poor hospitality last time upset you, and you’re now seeking revenge by sabotaging us.
Gwen’s cold, piercing gaze met hers, causing her to feel a flicker of unease. “Do you really think everyone’s as petty and impulsive as you?”
She was unwilling to back down and was about to respond when Ashton interrupted, “Enough. Everyone quiet down for a moment.”
Ashton frowned and turned to Jake. “What’s your take on this?”
Jake, who had been silent, shot a quick glance at Gwen before regaining his composure. “Ms. Lawson has point. Besides, I’ve worked with her before. She’s not the type to mix personal grudges with business.”
Gwen raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Jake, of all people, was standing up for her? But she wasn’t about to feel grateful.
“Mr. Hall, perhaps Ms. Lawson had a major personality change after your divorce. Being so sure of her Innocence makes it seem like you’re covering for her,” Colbie said, clearly intent on sowing discord.
Chapter 15tinga Tran
Jake’s cold gaze fixed–intently on Colble. His tone remained calm but carried an underlying threat. “Shut your mouth.”
Having never been spoken to like this, Colble turned red with anger but fell silent obediently.
“Now is not the time to hunt for the leaker. The encryption on the source code will likely be broken within half a day.” Ashton’s face was tight with tension.
The nanorobots project was crucial to Quantum Corporation’s financial reports for the next five quarters. Exposing the technology publicly would mean giving others a valuable opportunity, and he couldn’t accept that.
“I just checked,” he continued. “The news is spreading fast. In just 30 minutes, Quantum Corporation’s stock price has dropped by 10%, and it’s still falling. If the code is cracked, we can kiss everything goodbye!”
The shareholders started voicing their concerns one after another.
Ashton rarely spoke with such defeat, which only underscored the gravity of the situation–like a building on the verge of collapse.
“The source code won’t be leaked.” Gwen’s clear, calm voice echoed through the room.
The room went silent as everyone looked up.
Sensing an opportunity, Colble let a fleeting smirk cross her lips before putting on a serious face. “Ms.
Lawson, what nonsense are you talking about? The hackers on the dark web are some of the best in the world.”
