Chapter 352
As people started making luncl plans afterward, a colleague turned trene. “Joining us?*
She shook her head, pointing to her computer. “Need to finish this analysis for the afternoon meeting. Rain check?
Matthew frowned. “Come on, thirty minutes won’t hurt. You need to eat.”
“He’s right,” someone else chimed in. “The data will still be there after lunch.”
Jennifer suddenly materialized beside them, her smile not reaching her eyes. “Go ahead, Irene. I can shut down your computer. Your health matters more than werk.”
Irene hesitated, something about Jennifer’s helpfulness feeling off. Thanks, but I’ve already saved everything. I’ll close it myself.”
She quickly shut everything down properly, making Jennifer’s smile falter.
“Okay then,” Irene grabbed her purse. “Quick lunch it is.”
The minute everyone left, Jennifer raced back to the lab. She snapped on gloves and headed straight for Irene’s computer.
“Little Miss Perfect,” she muttered, powering it up. “Perfect doctor, perfect mom, perfect girlfriend to Adam Haven.”
She clicked through folders with practiced speed.
“After all my years here, I’m still just the assistant,” she fumed, finding the folder marked “Neurostimulation Project – Final Data.” “Meanwhile, you waltz in with three kids and suddenly you’re running everything and dating the richest guy in Silver City.”
Her expression hardened as she selected all the files. Her finger hovered over delete for just a moment before pressing down.
“Let’s see how perfect you look without your precious data.” She ran a program to wipe any chance of recovery, watching with grim satisfaction as it completed.
After shutting down, she tossed her gloves in the trash and practiced her concerned face in Irene’s office mirror.
“Oh no, your data’s gone? How awful! What could have happened?”
Satisfied, she left with a smile. The afternoon meeting would be very interesting.
When everyone returned from lunch, they gathered for the data presentation. Irene sat confidently at the head of the table and opened her laptop.
Her fingers froze mid–typing as confusion crossed her face. She clicked through folders with increasing urgency.
“Problem?” Jennifer asked, tilting her head with fake concern.
“My files are gone,” Irene said, impressively calm despite the situation. “They were definitely here this morning.”
Whispers spread around the table. Jennifer seized her moment.
“We’re all waiting for these results,” she said loudly. “Maybe we should reschedule? I’d hate for this to look bad for the department.”
Irene looked up, eyes sharp. “This wasn’t a simple mistake. I saved everything this morning before the meeting.”
1/2
Chapter 352
She stood up. “Let’s take a break. Please go back to your stations while I figure this out.”
As everyone left, Irene headed straight for security. The guard looked up when she entered.
“Need to see the lab surveillance from lunch hour,” she said.
The guard shifted uncomfortably. “Sorry, but protocols say we need department head approval for that.”
Irene’s jaw tightened. This wasn’t an accident–someone had deliberately sabotaged her. After everything that had happened lately, she couldn’t help wondering if it was connected.
Walking back through the quiet hallway, she considered her options Professional data recovery would take days, and she needed those results today. Without them, questions would be raised about Her competence.
Suddenly, she stopped, a solution hitting her. A slow smile spread across her face.
“Of course,” she whispered. “I have the perfect little helper for this.
Irene found a quiet corner by the window. She pulled out her phone and dialed, the line connecting after two rings.
“Hey,” she said, her voice warm with mom–affection. “Can you help me with something? It’s about computers.” She paused, listening. “Yes, it’s important. Very important.”
Her eyes sparked with determination, a confident smile lifting her lips. Whoever was behind this had clearly underestimated who they were dealing with–and who she had in her corner.
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
< SHARE
