Chapter 31

"If it turns out that about 2 hours before the printing of the winner's cards, there's a drastic change in the server flow that can be clearly suspected, there's hacking that occurred. Someone indeed has changed the scoring of the Designer of the Decade Award, just before the announcement,"Ian bit his lip, then sighed.

"Even i struggled to hack and find the data, apparently someone managed to manipulate it and change the scores without being detected, and in a short amount of time. Be careful, Carlie. You might be dealing with someone quite dangerous."

Carlie knew who Ian was referring to and Carlie was much more aware than Jan of the danger posed by the man who successfully hacked into the Model and Designer Grand Award. Jonathan Austin. The thought of him instantly brought a fleeting question mark to Carlie's mind. 'Why didn't he tell me from the beginning that he had hacked the event data? Also hand over his data? In that case, we don't need to waste time looking for it again, right?'

'Damn. Is he trying to delay me?'

"This is the data i found and printed into a volume. I've also sent the PDF form to your email, you can check it if you want,"Ian aligned the documents on Carlie's desk. A desk that is usually filled with various fashion books, this time resembles an office desk filled with important documents. "This is the data before it was hacked,"Although Carlie didn't understand much of the complex data, she could see that the public voting survey in her name was at the top. Far exceeding anyone else from the same nominations.

"And this is what happened after it was hacked,"Carlie looked at the next page, where the voting survey results were corrupted. Cut by almost more than 30% and suddenly, Tiffany Emerald, who initially didn't even have half the votes of Carlie, skyrocketed. Surpassing Carlie's total score by a narrow margin. Although Tiffany shouldn't even have enough points to make it to the top 3 in that nomination.

Carlie sighed. "Damn woman. She's really picking a fight with me."

Jan continued,"the data is there, from a reliable source, even if Tiffany Emerald disputes this data, you can sue her to the Model and Designer Grand Award by requesting similar data from them. If the event organizers dare to send false data, then you can take it to the legal forefront,"Carlie nodded in understanding.

"But for now, while this data is in our hands, it's more than enough to sue Tiffany Emerald, using several laws applicable in Paris. Although I'm sure you don't like to hear it, because you don't like complicated things, but listen, okay, Carlie?"

Carlie frowned disapprovingly, but Ian ignored her,"first, you can report on violations of EU Directive-"

"What is that?"Carlie interrupted.

"It's a legislative law that must be complied with by every country in the European Union. France is one of them,"Ian explained patiently. "EU Directive 2016 number 680, on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by competent authorities for the purposes of prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of criminal offenses or the execution of criminal penalties and on the free movement of such data,"Carlie's frown deepened.

"Also law number 78-17 of January 6, 1978 concerning Data Protection in Paris. Which has been updated to ensure national legal compliance with GDPR and Police-Justice Directives."

"Not only that, there's also Decree Number 2019 of May 29, 2019. Taken for the implementation of French data protection laws. Articles 9 of the civil law code about how every individual has rights to data privacy, as well as organizational entities. Formal or informal. Criminal law articles 226-16 to 226-24 containing criminal sanctions for failing to comply with data protection principles. If that's not enough, then articles R.625-10 to R.625-13 can still be used. They also discuss similar principles."

This time Carlie's head was starting to get hot. And annoyance began to creep into her mind.

"Is that all of it?"

"Not actually, there's more. There's also the Postal and Electronic Communication Code adopted by the European Parliament, on articles L.34-1 to L. 34-7, which define the rules applicable to direct marketing communi-"

"Enough, Ian! I don't want to hear anymore!"Carlie snapped loudly, flipping over one volume of data Ian was reading, to face the desk. Ian laughed out loud, a laugh rarely uttered by the man. He apparently deliberately teased Carlie with lengthy explanations. "For a more detailed explanation, i've sent it via your email, and you can ask Emma to read it for you. Knowing you, even though I've summarized the data painstakingly, you won't read it, will you?"Ian had known Carlie long enough to understand that she hated confusing formal documents. She said her beautiful face would crease too much if complicated matters were shoved into her mind and that makes her age quickly.

"In essence, we have obtained the data to file a lawsuit, but unfortunately, we still need additional evidence."

"What other evidence?" Carlie asked.

"Solid evidence of the hacker's identity. We have evidence that the data was hacked, but we still don't have who did it, although we believe it was Tiffany Emerald,"Ian explained. Carlie folded her arms. Jonathan Austin should be the suspect if concrete evidence comes out. But of course, Carlie couldn't report Jona, could she? That means... she needs evidence that diverges, yet authentic enough, to hit Tiffany.

"Do you have a plan?"Carlie asked.

"Unfortunately, not yet,"Ian sighed deeply. "If only i could have personal data about Tiffany Emerald, maybe i could find it."

"And how do we get that personal data?"

"In fact, there are many ways. From her computer, and her phone. Or not from her search history. Or her call history. Various. But each one is difficult to obtain,"Ian's words instantly gave Carlie an idea.

A wide smile spread across her face,"when it comes to that, i can handle it."

"Really?"Ian asked.

"The problem is, we only need either her computer, phone, or web history, right?"Carlie smirked slyly. "I'll let you know when i get it."

****

There is one thing Carlie knows will happen, sooner or later. Even if it's slow, it won't be as quiet as that. Namely, the arrival of Jonathan Austin that will disturb her. The reason behind her certainty is the deed Carlie has done some time ago. 'For i and a half weeks, since she stepped out of the man's mansion, not once did Carlie answer or respond to the messages he sent her,' Carlie didn't reply to any of his messages. She ignored every ringtone. Carlie disappeared from Jona, intentionally and this isn't because she wants their collaboration to end.

But because, Carlie wants revenge, after being disgustingly kidnapped by that 'uncouth' man.

A revenge that Carlie believes will burn Jona's heart with impatience, anxiety, and anticipation. A revenge that will make the man annoyed himself. Feeling ignored. Also a revenge that Carlie believes will bring the man to her. To her address. Which Carlie left, before stepping out of his mansion. He will definitely come here. Bringing an annoyed face. Bringing frustration. Bringing a heavy heart and with a smirk, i will welcome him while capturing his face full of annoyance, mocking him relentlessly. This annoying plan that Carlie Eloise has planted in her own mind.

But apparently and unfortunately Carlie's wish wasn't fulfilled. Her plan didn't fully fail. But just a little. Carlie inadvertently underestimated the man whose insanity was no longer tolerable.

"Ah!"

Carlie Eloise's loud scream echoed. When a man named Jonathan Austin, wearing a black t-shirt and matching long trousers, came, locking his gaze full of sharp annoyance. Full of arrogance. But what didn't match expectations was...

The man came, not from the front door, but from the balcony. Climbing up from below, and opening Carlie's penthouse window wide. Allowing the night air to rush in.

"Why didn't you reply to my messages?"