Fake Heiress Real Trouble (Sienna) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Time flew by in the midst of the intense cyber battle.

It was 11 p.m.

In the core control room, the last attack source was completely eradicated-drawn out and dismantled by Sienna’s clever maneuvers.

The Wonder system’s core data was repaired and reinforced, with the defenses getting a massive overhaul.

Everyone felt like they’d just won a war after slogging through more than twenty grueling hours straight- exhausted but riding a high of pure excitement.

“The suspects have been nabbed and locked up in the Ministry of National Defense’s cells. We should get details from the interrogation by tomorrow,” Patrick announced, setting down his phone with a beaming face as he shared the good news with the team.

That morning, Sienna had already tracked down the enemy’s base and alerted the Ministry of National Defense in real time to launch a raid.

But the adversaries were one step ahead–by the time the team arrived, the place was empty, leaving behind only a pile of wrecked computers.

Experts tried everything to salvage the data from the machines, but it was all wiped clean, nothing recoverable.

That was why, in the afternoon, the attackers shifted locations quickly but refused to give up on Wonder, Aurathen’s premier project.

They rallied, refined their approach, and tested the waters again with a subtle probe.

But that probe was their undoing, allowing Sienna to stealthily lock onto them once more and take them down effortlessly.

Patrick looked at Sienna, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. “From what the Ministry of National Defense says, when they rounded up those guys on the spot, they kept babbling-demanding to know what masterminds Aurathen has, how we breached their firewalls, and where they screwed up.

“You and Mason? Your teamwork was flawless. They were totally outmatched!”

Sienna tucked her laptop into her canvas bag, slung it over her shoulder, and got to her feet. “It was a team effort. I’ve set up a new firewall and shown everyone how to keep it updated, maintain it, and fix any weak spots.”

Patrick nodded enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear.

Sienna scanned the control room, but Mason was nowhere to be seen.

“Hunting for Mason? He popped over to the main console to shore up the firewalls there—he’ll be back shortly…” Patrick picked up on it instantly.

Sienna’s long, dark lashes flickered briefly before she played it cool, her voice nonchalant. “Nope, not looking for him.”

With that, she headed out of the control room.

Patrick noticed her quick expression and chuckled to himself as he followed. “Sienna, that final move with the trace scrambling? The thinking behind it was brilliant…”

He was in the middle of speaking when someone came charging toward the control room door.

The man was in a plaid shirt, his hair a wild mess, eyes bloodshot and fixed on Sienna.

“You… you really pulled it off, for real…” It was the Erik. The one who’d questioned Sienna that morning and then ducked out early, scared of taking any heat.

He’d been eagerly waiting for her to flop, thinking, ‘How could a wet-behind-the-ears kid like her possibly outdo us-the privileged elite, born on third base, leaps ahead of the pack, geniuses among geniuses?’

But he waited… and waited some more. No epic fail from her.

Instead… He caught wind of the news: Wonder’s core data fully restored, complete with a rock-solid new firewall.

Honestly, he’d rushed over that afternoon. But here was the kicker-he no longer had clearance to enter the control room.

With the team heads-down in their tasks, he couldn’t reach Patrick, so he’d just hung around outside, twiddling his thumbs.

And now, seeing Patrick trotting after Sienna, all pumped up and chatting animatedly with her about technical details.

And Sienna? She stood there with a calm expression, one hand shoved casually in her pocket, radiating total big-shot vibes.

Erik’s heart sank like a stone. He thought, ‘What… what have I just blown? This is a golden opportunity to make a real mark for the country-a chance to rack up some serious cred in my field!’

Anyone in that control room today could add this feat to their accolades and maybe even score a national commendation.

“Erik, you should go home and rest,” Patrick said, frowning as his eyes sharpened with disapproval.

He’d clearly gotten the scoop on the morning’s fiasco. His institute didn’t need arrogant types who couldn’t judge character worth a damn.

That “go home and rest” had a subtext, and Erik picked up on it immediately-Head home, rest up… and stay

gone.

He balled his fists, his face a mask of desperation. “Professor Sharp, I know I messed up. After this… I’ll never judge a book by its cover again!”

Chapter 40

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Patrick dismissed him with a wave, saying nothing, and instead respectfully extended an arm to escort Sienna

out.

Erik lunged forward to intercept them. “Professor Sharp, I’ve poured years into this place-no major breakthroughs, sure, but I’ve busted my hump. You can’t boot me over some tiny slip-up. Haven’t I suffered enough already?”

The Bright Institute was Aurathen’s top hub for energy research, led by the legendary Patrick, a national icon.

Slap its name on your resume-even if you were just fetching coffee-and you’d command respect anywhere.

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