Chapter 354
One of the older researchers edged closer, clearly impressed. “What he doing? That doesn’t look like any recovery program I’ve
seen
Alex kept his eyes glued to the screen. I’m hunting for data fragments and checking the logs to see who deleted what and when.”
The room got quieter as people drifted over, watching this kid work is magic. Jennifer’s smug look started cracking around the edges as she noticed people’s attitudes shifting.
“Even if he finds something, it could just be a glitch, she threw in. Computers crash all the time.”
“Crashes don’t pick and choose specific files to delete, Alex shot back without missing a beat. “And they definitely don’t empty the trash and wipe the history logs after.”
Jennifer’s jaw tightened just enough to notice.
Suddenly, Alex stopped typing. A small smile tugged at his lips.
“Got it!” he said.
Everyone immediately crowded around, trying to get a peek at the screen.
Alex pointed at files and timestamps. “Look, Mom. I got your data back, but that’s not all. I found the logs showing who deleted everything.
He explained like he was teaching a class: “The records show at exactly 12:36 today, someone with admin access deleted these files, then emptied the trash and wiped the history logs.”
Irene leaned in closer. “Any way to tell who did it?”
Alex shook his head. “Not from this alone. We’d need security camera footage to see who was at your computer.”
One of the senior staff squinted at the screen then turned to his colleagues with wide eyes. “The kid nailed it. These are definitely the missing files, and that timestamp doesn’t lie.”
Matthew caught Irene’s eye, a silent message passing between them.
‘I’ll check the security cameras for 12:36,” he said, already heading for the door.
The blood drained from Jennifer’s face. She stepped back like she’d been pushed.
“This is crazy!” Her voice wobbled. “You’re saying someone here did this on purpose?”
Nobody had actually suggested that, but Jennifer kept going, words tumbling out faster: Sometimes computers just glitch! Files disappear on their own–happened to me last month!”
The other researchers traded confused looks. Someone whispered, “Why’s she freaking out? Nobody said it was her…”
Jennifer’s voice climbed higher. “Who would even do something that petty? It makes no sense!”
Irene watched Jennifer’s meltdown with a cool, knowing look. The puzzle pieces were clicking into place.
Funny, I don’t remember pointing fingers at anyone,” Irene said calmly. “Why so jumpy?”
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Chapter 354
She tapped the screen where the time glowed. “Here’s what we know at 12:36, someone trashed my research data.”
She turned to face the room. “At exactly that time, I was eating lunch with at least five of you in the cafeteria. You remember seeing me there, right?”
Several people nodded.
Irene looked back at Alex. “So if we match these records with security footage, we’d know exactly who was sitting at my computer?”
“One hundred percent, Alex said with complete certainty. “The logs plus video would nail it down.”
Irene looked around the room. “This goes beyond just my work. It’s about whether we can trust each other. Today it’s my files- tomorrow it could be any of yours.”
The mood shifted as people exchanged worried glances, eyes inevitably drifting toward Jennifer, who looked like she might crack any second.
“You’re setting me up!” Jennifer’s face went tomato red. “Don’t you dare accuse me without proof!”
Irene didn’t flinch. “I’m just laying out facts. If you’ve done nothing wrong, why so defensive?”
Jennifer’s mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out.
Meanwhile, Matthew hit a wall at the security office–the same one Irene had encountered earlier. His forehead wrinkled in thought. After a moment, he pulled out his phone and dialed, stepping away where nobody could hear.
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