Liam Winston's gaze grew unfocused.
His lips moved soundlessly.
"Impossible..."
For three years, Sophia couldn't even afford a decent smartphone.
She'd used some no-name knockoff.
The screen had been cracked. The response time sluggish.
How could someone like that understand hacking?
Ethan Sullivan shot him a dismissive glance.
"Small minds always doubt what they can't comprehend."
His tone dripped with scorn.
"A frog at the bottom of a well shouldn't embarrass itself in public."
Sophia chuckled at this.
She spread her hands.
"Mr. Sullivan just said unauthorized personnel shouldn't be here."
Her eyes shifted to Liam and Chloe.
"Then uninvited guests show up, and suddenly we get hacked."
A deliberate pause.
"What an interesting coincidence."
Liam's face darkened.
"That's slander!"
Sophia arched an eyebrow.
"Then explain your presence."
Her voice turned icy.
"Lurking in the crowd. Making snide remarks. Stirring trouble."
She took a step forward.
"I have every reason to suspect corporate espionage."
Tired of arguing, she threw out the accusation.
"Chloe, you're no saint either."
Her gaze pinned the other woman.
"Given your track record."
Chloe went deathly pale.
She wished the floor would swallow her.
"That's a lie!"
As she tried to protest,
Ethan's glacial stare silenced her.
"Leave."
Though quiet, his voice brooked no argument.
"Or I'll have security drag you out."
Security escorted Chloe and Liam from the building.
They were manhandled like common criminals.
Employees stared as they passed.
Liam burned with humiliation.
His fingers trembled.
"The Sullivans go too far!"
He was still a company president.
When had he ever been treated this way?
Chloe clung to his arm.
She whispered poison.
"If Sophia fixed the network, why didn't she say so?"
Liam ground his teeth.
"She planned this!"
He glared at the penthouse windows.
As if his hatred could pierce concrete and tear apart the man inside.
Ethan only had better connections.
Why...
Liam couldn't name this fury.
Perhaps envy.
That Sophia thrived without him.
That she'd found a superior man.
"Just wait."
His fists clenched.
"I'll secure the Radiant Beauty deal."
Then he'd make her regret everything.
...
Conference attendees had been ushered elsewhere.
Everyone understood Ethan needed to handle internal matters.
No one dared comment.
Ethan surveyed the troublemaking employees.
"Spreading rumors during work hours."
His voice could freeze lava.
"Basic professionalism escapes you?"
Caleb Vance bent double in apology.
"Mr. Sullivan, we were wrong!"
Ethan remained impassive.
"Year-end bonuses revoked."
Caleb turned ashen.
"...Understood."
With the staff dealt with, Ethan approached Sophia.
He studied her thoughtfully.
"We owe you today."
Genuine gratitude colored his words.
"A data breach would've been catastrophic."
Their eyes met.
Ethan's next words held layers.
"Your skills are exceptional. Even upgraded our firewall."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"My hired hackers say you're the real elite."