Chapter 292

Alexander Montgomery's gaze remained fixed on the monitor as he dialed Sebastian. "Sebastian, we've got a breach. Someone's infiltrated our corporate systems. And they're bold. Any ideas how to trace them?"

Sebastian chuckled. "Really? Who'd dare challenge you? No hacker in Silvercrest would be that reckless."

"Enough. This isn't Silvercrest. Our tech team is stumped. This hacker has tricks up their sleeve. Didn't you mention some cutting-edge tracking program? Send it over. I'm ending this today."

With Sebastian's expertise, Alexander was confident they'd corner the intruder.

Sebastian smirked. "Easy. What's their virtual IP? That might give me a lead."

"Shadowcrest."

Sebastian nearly spat out his coffee, coughing violently. "Wait—what did you say? Shadowcrest?"

"Shadowcrest. Sounds made up. Does that even exist?"

"It's virtual."

Sebastian's mind raced.

This couldn't be a coincidence. That IP was one he and his inner circle had created. Only a handful of people had access.

Last night, he'd shared his latest security protocols with Evelyn. And now, this.

A sinking feeling settled in his gut. Had he just handed his own sister the tools to sabotage herself?

"Sebastian? Send the program. Now." Alexander's voice sharpened with impatience.

Sebastian cleared his throat. "Hold on. I’ve got time. Let me handle this. There’s something I need to check first."

Alexander’s brow arched. "You know who this is? Don’t tell me you’re covering for them."

"Not confirming anything yet. I need to see for myself."

"Fine. I’ll grant you system access. You built our firewalls—you know what to do." Alexander’s tone left no room for argument.

The call ended. Alexander’s instincts prickled. Sebastian was hiding something. Was the hacker someone close to him?

Sebastian logged into Montgomery Corp’s servers, launching a counterattack.

Bit by bit, he gained ground.

But the hacker’s techniques felt eerily familiar.

His fingers froze mid-keystroke. After a tense pause, he dialed Evelyn.

Meanwhile, Evelyn’s screen flashed with warnings. Without Sebastian’s defenses, her system would’ve been compromised.

Her phone buzzed—Sebastian’s name lighting up the screen.

Her pulse jumped. Why now?

She swallowed hard before answering. "Sebastian?"

No pleasantries. He cut straight to it. "Evelyn. Did you use the program I gave you yesterday?"

No point dancing around it. He’d already ruled out his other contacts.

Only one possibility remained.

Silence stretched between them. Then, quietly: "How did you know?"

A quiet exhale. He’d been right.

Guilt twisted her voice. "Did I just cause you trouble?"