Chapter 246

Chapter 246

A week later, at the Secretary of State's office in Imperial City, Audrey registered the White Dove Cultural Development Foundation.

On the surface, it was a charitable organization focused on arts support and youth education. The legal representative was a senior accountant from Audrey's studio, with no public information linking her directly to the foundation.

But everyone who received the migration notice knew—White Dove was Black Raven's new identity.

That night, Audrey sat at her study desk, sending the first batch of migration instructions to Black Raven's core members worldwide through an encrypted channel.

The next morning, Arabella called.

"Audrey, I want to do something for you."

"You gave me a chance to start over. I want to use my skills to repay you."

"Since White Dove needs to look like a real charity foundation, I can handle all the branding and visual identity design. I promise nothing will leak."

Arabella's offer caught Audrey off guard. "Are you sure? If you design for White Dove, the copyright belongs to White Dove. You won't get credit."

"I know." Arabella's tone didn't waver. "I owe you. As long as I can help, credit doesn't matter."

Audrey fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "All right. I'll leave it to you. Don't worry—once it's done, I'll pay you properly."

The quiet didn't last long. Soon, Ethan's message arrived.

"Mom, Declan's people are digging into your recent cash flows."

"I've been monitoring his fund's network activity. Yesterday, they pulled the transaction records linked to White Dove Cultural Development Foundation's registration account through two overseas intermediaries."

"I shielded the money trail in advance, but he's probably already spotted a major asset transfer."

Audrey's gaze darkened for a moment.

She'd expected Declan wouldn't sit quietly for three months—but she hadn't expected him to move this fast.

"What else did he find?"

"Just the cash flow so far. He hasn't traced the recipient yet. But with his resources and patience, give it a few more days, and that might change."

Audrey hung up without hesitation and immediately activated her backup plan.

She'd originally planned to spend a month completing the identity switches and information migration for core members in stages. Now she had to compress everything into three days.

She issued an emergency directive through the encrypted channel, changing the phased migration to a concentrated switchover. All core members had to complete their identity information transfers within seventy-two hours and connect to White Dove's new system architecture. The old channels would be sealed immediately.

For the next three days, she barely slept.

During the day, she showed up at the studio and conference rooms as usual, handling routine design and project work as if nothing had happened. Only late at night, after locking her study door, did she deal with White Dove's business.

Arabella's coordination was seamless. The complete visual design package for White Dove Cultural Development Foundation was finished within two days.

As the last data set finished migrating, Audrey watched the green notification pop up on her screen: [Core architecture migration complete. The old system will officially shut down in seventy-two hours.] 

She let out a long breath, feeling like those three days had lasted three years.

The next morning, Declan called. "Ms. Clark, I hear you've had some large sums moving around frequently. As your business partner, I'd like to know—does this have anything to do with the Black Raven technology handover?"

Audrey's tone stayed calm. "Mr. Ross, your sources are impressive. Don't worry—every piece of tech copyright stipulated in the contract will be transferred. I keep my word."

"Good. Move anything else you want, but that cybersecurity technology has to stay. I'm waiting for your update."

Before long, White Dove Cultural Development Foundation's new system was fully operational.

Sitting in her office, Audrey felt like she'd just completed something monumental. She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and rested for a moment. 

Then she opened them again, pulled open a drawer, and retrieved the wooden jewelry box she'd kept locked in a hidden compartment.

Inside lay the signet ring.

The only token Bronte had left behind.

Wilhelmina had said Bronte was brought back from some small southern town, carrying nothing but this signet ring.

Now that Black Raven's situation was resolved, it was time to investigate her own origins.

Just then, Declan called.

"Ms. Clark, tomorrow's the final deadline in our contract. How's the fulfillment coming along?"

"Mr. Ross, don't worry. Everything's ready on my end."

"Good." Declan's tone paused briefly, then he laughed. "Though there's something I should mention in advance, so you're not caught off guard."

"What is it?"

"I've been hearing rumors lately. People are saying the Brown Group has been dragging its feet on projects with me, quietly transferring assets—possibly creating fulfillment risks. If that kind of talk spreads, it won't look good for the Brown Group's reputation."

"You know how it is in Imperial City's business circles. Nothing worse than a damaged credit rating."

Audrey smiled. "Sounds like Mr. Ross still doesn't quite trust me."

"We're partners, after all. I don't want to see the Brown Group suffer unnecessary damage over small matters."

"I understand what you're saying, Mr. Ross. Tomorrow morning at ten, I'll be waiting at the Brown Group to finalize the contract."