He opened the file, and his face drained of color as he was stunned seeing only a blank paper.
"Is this a joke?!!!" He spat out, glaring at the lady, who jolted in fright, her composure momentarily slipping.
"Sorry young master, we tried everything... But Christopher’s information detail is sealed with a supreme lock." She quickly explained, her voice trembling slightly.
Zack collapsed back onto the sofa, the words echoing in the luxurious suite.
Supreme locks were a legendary level of data encryption, used only by the most powerful and secretive organizations or individuals within all counties.
"Only five people can activate a Supreme lock?! And these five have extraordinary background, then how did Christopher have it on his details?"
He rubbed his temples, a sense of bewilderment washing over him. The implications were staggering.
He sighed softly, a heavy weight settling in his chest.
"Hmm... Young master, I think the one who placed the lock already located us." The lady’s voice was grim.
"What?!!!" He stood up in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How?!!"
"I don’t know... We blocked our IP address, and also used more security malware, but he or she still entered, and also placed a virus."
She walked towards the sleek, minimalist laptop on the desk and switched it on. The screen flickered to life, displaying a single, ominous red ’X’ logo. She turned the screen to face Zack.
Zack collapsed on the sofa again, staring at the red ’X’ logo on the screen, a symbol notorious in the hacking world.
"SHIT?!!!!! Only one individual have that sign! And that’s the number two hacker in the whole world!! How did a small family like the Valhalla family get in touch with such a figure?" He turned his gaze to the files:
"No... Katherine’s Information isn’t sealed, only Christopher’s... Are these two close?" he sighed, the pieces of a complex puzzle starting to form in his mind.
"For now, don’t act against them... Try to remove the virus on the system. We will wait for the academy competition, and then, we will know everything." He said, his voice now laced with a newfound caution.
The lady nodded, switched off the laptop, and walked away, leaving Zack alone with his thoughts.
Zack took the file, staring at Christopher’s picture, a determined glint in his eyes.
"We will meet in two days’ time."
He turned his head to the customized phone on the table, and picked it up, seeing his father’s name on the screen.
He waited for some seconds, listening intently, and then stood up in shock:
"What?! The head of the Valon family just arrived at Cordelia?!" He was stunned.
The Valon family’s arrival was a major event, capable of shifting the balance of power in Cordelia.
Zack disconnected the call, and sighed softly:
"It seems a storm is coming to Cordelia." He muttered, the words hanging heavy in the opulent air.
[Biggest Orphanage in Cordelia.]
The Starlight Haven Orphanage, the largest and most well-regarded in Cordelia, was a bustling hub of activity. Its red-brick buildings, surrounded by well-tended gardens, offered a stark contrast to the city’s gleaming towers.
Advika stood at a side with a dumbfounded look, staring as men—a mix of Valhalla family staff and eager orphanage volunteers—moved countless boxes and bags, overflowing with goods bought from the mall, into the orphanage’s various storage rooms. The sheer volume was staggering.
"Does she do this always?" She asked Christopher, who stood beside her, a quiet observer like herself.
The two were inside the orphanage compound, standing at a corner, their gaze fixed on the older children and men moving the things inside. Younger children, their faces alight with anticipation, peeked out from windows and doorways.
"Yes... Twice a week, she makes sure to send to all orphanages in Cordelia... The surprising part is, all goods must be equal, even if the orphanage have only ten children, they’ll receive the same things a huge orphanage with 1,000 children receive." Christopher explained, his voice soft.
"Wow... Katherine is really thoughtful... I thought." Advika began, a blush creeping up her neck.
"You thought she always shops for herself?" Christopher finished her question, a faint smile playing on his lips, while Advika lowered her head in embarrassment.
"I understand. Those who don’t know her will think she likes shopping, today, tomorrow, next tomorrow... She can simply ask someone to do these things, but she prefers someone who knows what the children needs and what they don’t... So she volunteered herself." He said, watching Katherine interacting with the children.
"Wow... The children will love her then."
"Love her?" Christopher chuckled softly, a genuine warmth entering his voice.
"These kids take her as their god, their god mother... I am 100% sure some here will even die for her." He pointed to a small boy clutching a new toy, his eyes fixed on Katherine with adoration.
"Really?" Advika was stunned. The image of the frivolous, shopping-obsessed Katherine she had initially formed was crumbling rapidly.
"Yes... Katherine started this when she was just 12 years old, and that was five years ago... Some of these guys were just babies then... What do you think they will think of her for these past five years?" He asked, turning to face Advika, his gaze gentle.
Advika smiled, turning to Katherine, who was playing with the children with Leyla and Bella, a picture of joyful abandon. Her image of Katherine had irrevocably changed in her heart; she was no longer just a powerful student, but a compassionate, dedicated benefactor.
’Boss? She moved into business mode?’ Christopher smiled, turning to face her. "What happened?" he asked.
"We are meeting the manager today at the bank."
"Ok... We already changed, so on the way, call your parents, because we will be moving to the mountain after the signing." He said, then gestured to Katherine, who stopped playing and looked at him.
"Advika and I have something to take care of!! We will go first." Christopher called out.
"Ok big brother, and thanks for paying for the things!!" Katherine yelled back, her voice echoing with playful gratitude. "Take care, Advika!!"
"Thanks, you too!!" Advika said, a newfound respect and warmth in her tone as she waved goodbye.
The two then walked towards the orphanage gate, the sounds of happy children fading behind them.