Chapter 9 Met My Match

Rowan Blackwood replayed the scene in his mind. In the airport restroom, only he and that bratty kid had been there. He couldn't fathom how a four- or five-year-old could pull off such a feat. If not the child, then who knew? Had someone else been in a stall—someone he'd missed? Rowan's brow furrowed. Victor Langley found the office atmosphere suffocating. He loosened his collar, seeking relief. "Did you reach Marla?" Rowan suddenly asked. He'd gone to the airport specifically for Marla but missed her. Not knowing her appearance, he'd had Victor hold a sign. No one approached them. Relieved at the topic change, Victor quickly replied, "Glonia confirmed she arrived. Perhaps we were late, or she took a different flight. Mr. Blackwood, this designer Marla is quite arrogant. She's just a designer—your personal welcome was generous. Yet she stood you up? Unbelievable..." "Fix that video—now. If it's still online in five minutes, start choosing your burial plot. Consider it my gift. Out!" Rowan's voice was ice, his expression dark. Victor fled silently. Five minutes? The hacker's Trojan would take that long just to crack. Was Mr. Blackwood trying to kill him? After Victor's departure, Rowan powered up his computer. He found Horizon Corp's security system completely compromised. Who would dare challenge him like this? Rowan's frown deepened. He began coding—swiftly breaking through the first red firewall. Nolan Duvall, hiding from Chloe Bennett, locked himself in, booted his computer, and smirked watching Horizon Corp's security fall. His Trojan would keep Rowan occupied. Suddenly, his screen flickered—first firewall breached. Nolan's eyebrows knitted. Impressive. A tech expert at Horizon Corp? His small hands returned to the keyboard, continuing his attack. Rowan traced the intruder's path and locked on. "I'll drag you out today, whoever you are!" Years had passed since Rowan had been this angry—since he'd handled such matters personally. The hacker was skilled but inexperienced. Nolan's screen froze—locked down. Damn! A master opponent! He tried disconnecting, but the screen wouldn't respond. His location couldn't be exposed! He quickly connected an external device. A *ding*—Trojan decrypted, IP located. Rowan studied the address, frowning deeper. "Victor! Here—now!" Victor rushed in. "Mr. Blackwood." "Trace this IP. Location?" Victor examined the data and froze. "Well?" "Mr. Blackwood... it's... from the Blackwood residence." "What?" Rowan's expression darkened. The tension made Victor sweat. "It's true, sir. I installed those routers myself." Rowan's gaze turned colder. Clever. Using an external device to reroute the IP at the last moment. But who knew him and the family so well? If this was an enemy... frightening. "Find everything. Whatever it takes—I want the video source and hacker details!" "Yes, sir!" Victor fled, feeling the burden. Nolan slumped, exhausted. His fake father wasn't easy to fool. One second slower, and he'd have been caught. Future caution needed. "Nolan, dinner." Marielle Duvall knocked. Startled, Nolan closed the system, opened a game, and drawled, "Coming." Opening the door, Marielle glanced inside, noting the game screen. She shook her head. "How often must I say it—less gaming. And apologize to Aunt Chloe later, understood?" Nolan frowned again. Apologize to that old hag? Was she serious?