Ashton lowered his head, frustration flickering in his eyes.
"Sir, the data was wiped clean. We couldn't recover much. "I suspect Ms. Bently set up a strong security system before we could dig deeper."
He hesitated before adding another piece of information.
"Also, the data was erased right around when you ordered the investigation. That means we have a mole."
Daniel stopped tapping his fingers and narrowed his eyes at the glass on the table.
"Was anyone else around when I asked you to investigate?"
Ashton paused, thinking carefully before answering.
"We were walking past Railer's bedroom at the time..."
But Railer was only five. How could a young child have any connection to Chantelle?
Besides, they didn't even know each other.
Daniel dismissed the idea.
His dark eyes flickered with something unreadable.
"She's more capable than I thought. She even has eyes on me."
"Leave no stone unturned. I want a full investigation on everyone we've ever been in contact with."
"If you come back empty-handed, you can ship yourself to Alewell."
Ashton felt his legs go weak as he left the study, defeated.
He had to find the mole for the sake of his job—and avoid Alewell.
Whoever dared to play dirty right under Mr. Wilson's nose would soon regret it.
Daniel hadn't gotten much sleep in days.
With a pounding headache, he rubbed his temples and was about to shut down his computer to rest.
Just then, movement on the infrared surveillance caught his attention.
Something had just slipped past the camera. It was quick but enough to raise suspicion.
His expression hardened.
Without hesitation, he activated the thermal sensor system.
The exact location on the rooftop lit up on the screen.
At the same time, a large display rolled down against the wall in front of him.
Eight different camera angles appeared, giving him a clear view of the rooftop.
Daniel activated the infrared sensors on his computer and synced them with the thermal sensors.
He was determined to track the source of the unusual movement.
There was no doubt—an intruder had made their way in.
His security system was airtight.
Focusing on the moving figure, he quickly pinpointed their location.
"Ashton, intruder on the west wing of the roof!"
A smirk replaced Daniel's frown as he watched the intruder fall right into his flawless trap.
Finally, he could see the person who had been stirring up trouble in his domain.
Chantelle scanned every inch of the laser grid, searching for a weak spot.
With no other choice, she took a deep breath and pulled out a computing paradigm.
She carefully planted it onto one of the laser beams, ready to override the system.
The device should have disrupted the system, creating a gap in the laser grid for her escape.
But Chantelle hadn't accounted for one thing—the Wilsons had upgraded their security to the highest level.
The moment she attempted to reprogram the system, she was detected.
To make matters worse, the laser sensors weren't just for show. They were designed to attack thermal energy.
A single brush against the beam burned a hole through her leather jacket.
If she forced her way through, she'd become a walking target.
Did Daniel have a gold mine buried in this house or something?
Did Daniel really need such a high-tech security system?
Chantelle cursed him in her mind.
She was completely trapped, with no way out.
Her heartbeat quickened as she heard footsteps approaching.
The security team was getting closer.
She had only seconds before they found her.
Was she about to get caught?
No. She had to find a way out!
Thinking fast, Chantelle slipped into a blind spot, out of the infrared sensors' reach.
Then, she tossed her jacket into the laser grid.
The moment it touched the beam, the thick leather ignited.
Flames engulfed it midair, and within seconds, it burned to ashes.
The fire didn't last long, but it was enough.
The approaching bodyguards had seen it.
As the bodyguards rushed onto the rooftop, Chantelle noticed something.
The moment they came closer, the sensors shut down.
Her chance had finally come!
The moment the laser sensors were shut off, Chantelle threw herself off the roof. With the help of a carabiner, she leaped over several roofs and disappeared into the night.
By the time the bodyguards realized what had happened, all they saw was Chantelle's figure disappearing into the night.
Daniel watched everything unfold on the surveillance feed from his study.
Unfortunately, he hadn't seen the intruder's face clearly.
But one thing was certain—it was a woman.
A face suddenly surfaced in his mind as he sat in deep thought.
Daniel's sharp eyes darkened with cold intensity.
He wasn't sure. But just thinking about Chantelle irritated him.
Since Kate refused to leave the country, Ashton decided to let her be.
He withdrew the security team stationed outside her ward.
Lying in bed, Kate stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in despair.
It was over. She was finished.
Daniel wanted to end things with her.
Her dream of becoming the most powerful woman in Easthan was slipping away.
The thought gnawed at her, draining her like a black hole with no end.
Despair couldn't even describe what she felt.
Online, the hate comments kept piling up. The scandals wouldn't die down.
And worst of all, Daniel was giving up on her this time.
She was drowning in it until a figure suddenly appeared.
Ruby, fully disguised, had come to see her.
"Mom, Daniel doesn't want me anymore! Why? We were fine before!"
Seeing Ruby felt like grasping onto a lifeline.
Tears streamed down Kate's face as she sobbed uncontrollably.
"What are you saying, Kate? Mr. Wilson doesn't want you anymore? What happened?"
Ruby had arrived with a sliver of hope, but Kate's words hit her like a bombshell.
Her worst nightmare had just come true.
"D-Daniel said the wedding's off! He doesn't want me anymore! Mom, what do I do? Tell me what to do!"
Kate clutched Ruby tightly, sobbing hysterically.
"Calm down, Kate. Tell me exactly what happened between you and Mr. Wilson. Why doesn't he want you?"
Ruby's eyes narrowed.
"Did he find out that you threw Railer off a cliff?"