Chapter 284

Chapter 284

The tension that had gripped her for days finally released, and a wave of exhaustion and euphoria crashed over Margaret simultaneously, causing her vision to blur momentarily.

She didn't join the team's celebration, simply watching quietly as the screen lit up with that brilliant glow.

This was her mother's life's work—the entire meaning behind her years of enduring hardship and biding her time.

Richard studied her profile.

He finally understood why she'd suddenly rejected all his attempts to make amends, why she'd been so hot and cold with his olive branches.

She didn't need to depend on anyone.

His first thought wasn't about the terrifying commercial value this technology could bring, but rather... danger.

Massive danger.

A breakthrough capable of changing the world would attract how many predators—he didn't dare imagine.

Back at the temporary office, Margaret's assistant excitedly brought champagne to celebrate.

Everyone was drunk on the joy of success, but Richard's expression grew darker by the minute.

His private phone buzzed—an encrypted line.

He stepped outside, away from the crowd, and answered.

"Talk."

On the other end was his security team leader, his tone more serious than ever before.

"Mr. Neville, just now, during the test, we detected an extremely sophisticated external data probe. They bypassed all our perimeter physical and network barriers and directly touched the project's core firewall."

Richard's pupils contracted sharply. "Were we breached?"

"No. Ms. Kennedy's own security system is incredibly robust. The moment they made contact, it triggered counter-tracking and data destruction protocols. They struck once, missed, and immediately retreated without leaving any trace."

"Can't trace the source?"

"Can't trace it."

The team leader's voice carried a hint of defeat. "Their technology... exceeds our understanding. The system didn't even record a formal 'alert.' If you hadn't specifically ordered the highest-level 'stealth monitoring,' we never would have detected this probe."

A chill ran down Richard's spine.

The Neville Group's intelligence and security systems had been built with top talent recruited worldwide at enormous cost—they'd never failed before.

"This isn't something Rodney's people could pull off."

The team leader added, "Based on the limited fragments in our database, this clean, technically overwhelming style points to an extremely mysterious organization..."

"The Shadow." Richard finished the name for him.

Silence on the other end.

Richard hung up and looked through the trailer's window at Margaret, surrounded by her team members.

She wore a rare, genuinely heartfelt smile.

That smile was like a blade of light, making his eyes sting.

A shadow named "Night King" flashed through his mind.

Richard pulled out his phone and dialed another number.

"It's me. Activate the 'Blackstone' protocol. Highest level."

"Also, everything I have in that safety deposit box at Zephyria Bank Corp—bring it all back to the country. Yes, everything."

...

The celebration in the mountains was simple but spirited—cheap beer mixed with the aroma of grilled meat, cutting through the harsh conditions of the project base.

Everyone's faces glowed with post-victory euphoria.

Margaret was surrounded by her team, and after two beers, her cheeks flushed with an uncommon rosy hue.

She didn't refuse her colleagues' reverent jokes and even joined in herself.

Richard didn't participate in the revelry.

He stood in the shadows nearby, his gaze never leaving her at the center of that bright circle.

Joy was fleeting.

The second morning after their return, Margaret was in her office listening to quarterly financial reports when her assistant, Susan, burst in, face pale and voice trembling.

"Ms. Kennedy... something's happened."

Margaret raised her hand, signaling the CFO to pause.

She looked at Susan, her expression calm and unreadable. "Speak."

"Dr. Steven Johnson, one of our core algorithm maintenance team members... he's missing."

The office air froze instantly.

Steven Johnson was one of three core researchers responsible for energy resonance stability.

After the successful test two days ago, Margaret had approved the first round of vacation time for key personnel.

Steven had chosen the Maravelle Isles.

"At the resort where he was staying, he just vanished into thin air."

Susan's voice cracked with tears. "Local police checked the surveillance footage. He went for a solo walk on the beach last night and never came back."

"Everything in his room was perfectly arranged—passport, cash, everything was there. No signs of struggle. It's like... he just disappeared."

Margaret's fingertips tapped twice on the desk surface, and everyone in the conference room fell silent.

"Notify security to immediately recall all core personnel currently away and implement the highest level of protection. Suspend all vacation plans."

She issued orders with clinical calm, betraying no panic. "Lock down the information. Internally, announce only that Steven had a family emergency and returned home urgently."

"Yes."

"Also," she paused, "call Richard."

The phone was answered almost immediately.

"It's me." Margaret cut straight to the point. "Dr. Steven Johnson is missing."

A moment of silence, then Richard's voice came through, low and clear.

"It's starting."

Just those brief words sent a chill down Margaret's spine.

Had he been expecting this?

...

Two days later, a local courier delivery arrived at her desk.

The sender's information was blank.

Susan looked uneasy. "Ms. Kennedy, should we have security check it first?"

"No need."

Margaret opened the envelope. Inside was just a thin sheet of paper.

No greeting, no signature—only a few lines of printed text.

She glanced over it, but her pupils suddenly contracted.

This wasn't an ordinary letter.

Under certain specific words, tiny holes had been pricked with an extremely fine needle—almost imperceptible.

This was a form of secret writing.

Only she and Richard knew it.

That afternoon, Margaret drove at breakneck speed, finally stopping at the base of The Neville Group headquarters.

She had no appointment but went straight to the top-floor CEO's office.

Richard was in a video conference. Seeing her enter, he simply told the screen, "Meeting suspended," and cut the connection.

Margaret walked to his massive desk and slammed the paper down in front of him.

"Explain."

Richard's gaze fell on the paper, lingering on those inconspicuous pinholes for several seconds.

He looked up at her. "How long has it been since we used this?"

Margaret said nothing, her lips pressed tight.

The past tore open like a wound, and deliberately forgotten scenes flooded her mind.

This was one of the few secrets between them.

"Who is it?" Margaret's voice was hoarse.