"I... I lingered a bit in the room when I delivered your coffee, see if it’s cold now, I’ll make you another cup." she said, somewhat nervously.
Asher Land felt the coffee was just right, shook his head, said no need, and began to drink.
She stepped back slightly, uneasy.
"I’ll go back to my room and leave you to your work." She fled in a hurry.
Standing outside the study, her body pressed tightly against the wall, she slowly squatted down.
At this moment, she loathed herself intensely.
"Asher Land, I’m sorry, I’m sorry..." Tears streamed down her face, she covered her face and sobbed softly.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket, she trembled as she answered.
"Hello..." Her voice was choked with sobs.
On the other end, Oliver Johnson was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking.
"Is now an opportune moment?" he asked in a low voice.
She hung up the phone, stood up from the floor, and then walked toward the study.
The study was very quiet, very quiet, only his steady breathing could be heard.
He was slumped over the desk, eyes shut tight, deeply asleep.
Her legs felt as heavy as lead, she stood still, unable to move for a long time.
The phone rang again, urging her.
"Open his computer, I need to control it remotely."
She stood there, stunned, without responding.
"Miss Smith, I hope you’ll follow my instructions," Oliver Johnson paused, "Otherwise, your father..."
She closed her eyes in despair, until, after a long while, she spoke.
"Oliver Johnson, I hope you keep your word, don’t harm my dad."
"I will keep my promise."
Sophie Smith walked to the desk, his computer was already on, Oliver Johnson sent over a remote desktop control, she accepted it.
She watched as Oliver Johnson opened folder after folder on Asher Land’s computer, feeling like an unforgivable sinner.
She had betrayed him, betrayed the man who had never doubted her.
"I need you now to save all the files I just browsed to a USB drive, deliver it to me at three o’clock this afternoon, I’ll send the address to your phone."
Oliver Johnson hung up the phone, she hesitated and took out a USB drive, as if it took an eternity, she finally copied all the files.
She clenched the USB drive tightly, wishing she could crush it. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NoveI[F]ire.net
She glanced at him still asleep, and felt a heavy blow to her heart.
She got up and walked out of the study.
She arrived at the agreed meeting place with Oliver Johnson, waited there a long time, but did not see him.
Just as she was about to call him, Oliver Johnson’s call came first.
"Pass the things to the man wearing a black suit and sunglasses by the window on the left side of the tea restaurant."
"Where are you? I want to see you!" She was certain he was somewhere she couldn’t see, "If I don’t see you, I won’t hand it over."
"Are you guilty of heart?" she sneered, "Don’t you fear retribution for doing such shady things?"
Oliver Johnson helplessly curled his lips, watching the small figure standing in front of the empty square, his heart inexplicably ached.
"Hand over the items, I’ll ensure your dad is safe."
"If I don’t see the items in ten minutes, I won’t be able to give you any assurance."