Novels by SHSA

Chapter 512: The Digital TrailThe air in James’s private office was thick with the hum of high-powered servers and the smell of cold coffee. James sat hunched over a bank of four monitors, his eyes reflecting the rapid scroll of data. Beside him, Eric Wood stood with his arms folded tightly across his chest, his breathing shallow. The clock on the wall had just ticked past 9:00 PM.Suddenly, the silent office was filled with the sharp, rhythmic chirping of security alerts. Red windows began popping up across all four screens like a digital rash."It’s happening," Eric whispered, leaning in so close his tie brushed the desk. "James, look at the outbound ledger. The accounts are bleeding."James didn't respond immediately. His fingers flew across the keyboard, opening a specialized tracking software he had built in secret. On the central monitor, a live map of the world appeared. Glowing white lines began to shoot out from the Emerald Falls server node, stretching across oceans."Eight

Chapter 511: The Red KeyThe interior of the "Neon Oasis" internet cafe was a maze of dim lighting and the low, constant hum of cooling fans.The air was thick with the scent of stale energy drinks and the metallic tang of overheated hardware. Neon blue strips of light ran along the baseboards, casting an eerie glow on the faces of young men hunched over glowing monitors.Most were lost in the chaotic world of online gaming, their fingers clicking furiously on mechanical keyboards, their voices rising in occasional shouts of frustration or triumph.In the far corner, tucked away in a booth where the shadows were deepest, Marcus sat perfectly still. He looked entirely out of place. While the teenagers around him wore oversized hoodies and bulky headsets, Marcus wore a cheap, stiff windbreaker zipped up to his chin. His hands, resting on the laminate tabletop, were trembling so violently that he eventually had to tuck them under his thighs to keep them still.He checked the digital cloc

Chapter 510: The Eyes in the DarkThe parking garage beneath the EMC building was a tomb of cold air and the smell of damp concrete. In the furthest corner, tucked away from the security cameras, sat a nondescript dark sedan. Inside, Gregor sat as still as a statue. He did not have the radio on, nor did he check his personal messages. His entire focus was on the digital tablet glowing in his lap.For twenty-four hours, Gregor had been a ghost, trailing Williams Jesse through the city. He had compiled a list of movements that painted a dark picture. Williams had not been at home last night; instead, he had been seen in the East District—a place where the police only went in pairs—meeting with some gang members. Furthermore, Gregor’s internal monitors showed that Williams had made three desperate, failed attempts to hack into the very servers he was supposed to manage. James’s new security blocks were holding, but the frequency of the attacks suggested a man who was running out of time

Chapter 509: The CountdownThe heavy oak door clicked shut as Williams Jesse exited the chairman’s office. Mr. Sterling did not move. He remained standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the sprawling skyline of Emerald Falls. The sun was beginning to dip, casting long, jagged shadows across the glass towers of the business district.Inside his mind, a storm was brewing. His heart hammered against his ribs, a rhythmic reminder of the gamble he had just accepted."Eighty million dollars," Sterling whispered to the empty room.He turned away from the window and looked at his desk. For decades, he had built his reputation on being a shrewd, untouchable leader. But today, Williams had stripped away his control. By nine o’clock tonight, the life he knew would either be amplified by unimaginable wealth or destroyed by handcuffs and a prison cell."There is no middle ground," he muttered, his voice cold. "Rich or ruined."He sat back in his leather chair and rubbed his temples

Chapter 508: Afternoon RoundsMr. Sterling sat in his office reviewing quarterly reports when his phone buzzed with an internal call. He glanced at the screen and saw his son’s extension.“Yes, Jaxon,” he answered without preamble.“Can I come see you? I need to discuss something.”Sterling checked his watch. Two fifteen. His next meeting wasn’t until three. “Make it quick. I have fifteen minutes.”“I’ll be right there.”Sterling set his phone down and returned to the reports spread across his desk. EMC’s numbers looked solid on paper, but he knew better. The virus he and Williams had planted was quietly siphoning funds into offshore accounts, small amounts that wouldn’t trigger immediate alarms but would add up significantly over time.A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.“Come in.”Jaxon entered and closed the door behind him. He looked nervous, hands fidgeting with something in his pocket.“Sit down,” Sterling said. “What’s this about?”Jaxon took the chair across from the

Chapter 507“Ana Davies,” Kate said loudly. Several people on the sidewalk turned to look. “I want to talk to you.”“I’m on my lunch break,” Ana replied.“I don’t care what you’re on. You got me in trouble yesterday and we need to discuss it.”“You got yourself in trouble,” Ana said. “I didn’t do anything except my job.”Kate’s face flushed red. “Your job? Your job is to be a secretary. Not to cause problems for senior staff members.”“I wasn’t causing problems. I was delivering files.”“You were being disrespectful and arrogant.”Cara stepped between them. “Mrs. Carl, maybe this isn’t the best place for this conversation.”“I wasn’t talking to you,” Kate snapped.“And Ana doesn’t want to talk to you,” Cara shot back. “So why don’t you go somewhere else and cool off?”Kate looked like she wanted to say more, but a security guard from EMC had noticed the confrontation and was walking toward them. Kate saw him coming and her expression shifted.“This isn’t over,” she said to Ana. “My fa

Chapter 426: Kate’s Visit to SkyCareKate Carl decided to visit skycare and see if Williams could help even in his hospital bed. He has always helped them in the past, and she thought he would this time around too.She arrived at SkyCare Medical Center, stepping out of her black luxury sedan with a deep breath. The hospital’s glass facade gleamed under the afternoon sun, giving it an air of sterility and wealth. Inside, the lobby was spacious, the scent of antiseptic hanging in the air as nurses moved briskly from one station to another. The soft hum of conversations between patients, doctors, and visitors created a low, almost soothing background noise.Kate, dressed elegantly in a beige coat over a fitted dress, approached the reception desk with her usual poised demeanor. The receptionist, a young woman in a crisp uniform, looked up with a professional smile.“Good afternoon. How may I help you?”“I’m here to see Williams Jesse,” Kate said smoothly.The receptionist glanced at her

Chapter 34In the dark hallway, Valentina pressed her back against the cold stone wall, her heart pounding in her chest. The deep silence of the mansion surrounded her, broken only by the muffled sounds of the conversation coming from Diego’s study. She had been in the bedroom when the men entered, and unable to resist, she had tiptoed silently to the door to listen in.Though she hadn’t heard much of the conversation—her position had been precarious and the voices low—the part that had caught her off guard made her blood run cold. Javier had suggested hiring the best hackers in the world to break into Alejandro’s casino since the fire attack wasn’t successful, and Valentina’s mind had skipped at the thought.She didn’t know Alejandro personally, but from the little she’d gathered, he seemed like a young, innocent man who luckily won her husband’s scam lottery.Yet here was Diego, her husband, plotting to destroy him piece by piece. She couldn’t stand the thought of Diego manipulating

Chapter 33The night was cloaked in a veil of restless clouds, the soft hum of distant crickets the only sound outside Diego’s sprawling mansion. Inside, the warm glow of chandeliers illuminated a room thick with tension. The mahogany table in Diego’s private study bore marks of age and power, much like the man who sat at its head.The thick smell of cigars mingled with the faint tang of spilled whiskey, curling through the opulent study like a specter of power. A half-empty wine bottle stood forgotten on the table, next to a silver tray dusted with the remnants of cocaine. The grand chandelier above cast flickering light, illuminating the tension etched into every corner of the room.Diego lounged in his leather armchair, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers. His dark eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, bore into the men seated before him. On the table, a glass of Malbec swirled lazily in his other hand, the deep red liquid glinting in the light. He didn’t need to speak; the silence was s

Chapter 32Later That AfternoonThe golden rays of the afternoon sun streamed through the large windows of Alejandro’s mansion as the doorbell echoed throughout the luxurious halls. James, the butler, shuffled to the entrance, opening the door to reveal two women—Amy Johnson and Judy Miller.Amy wore a simple floral dress that flattered her petite frame, while Judy was dressed in bold designer clothing, her oversized sunglasses perched arrogantly on her head.“Welcome, ladies,” Mr. James said with a polite nod, stepping aside to let them in.Amy gasped, her eyes widening as she took in the grandeur of the mansion's new interior that Sophia had had made. “Oh my gosh, Judy, look at this place! It’s like something out of a movie!” she whispered excitedly.Judy rolled her eyes, stepping inside with a smirk. “Calm down, Amy. It’s not like you’re moving in. You’ll embarrass yourself, as usual.”Amy flushed but ignored the jab, too enamored by the sparkling chandeliers and marble floors to c

Chapter 31He left the gym and headed straight for Theo’s office. Pushing open the door, he found Theo reviewing the updated security plans.“Got a minute?” Miguel asked, shutting the door behind him.“Sure,” Theo said, leaning back in his chair. “What’s up?”Miguel crossed his arms, pacing slightly. “It’s about Sophia and that so-called gym instructor of hers, Oscar.”Theo raised an eyebrow. “What about them?”“I just saw them in the gym. The way they were interacting—too close, too familiar. He told her he missed her after the ‘kidnapping.’ It’s odd, Theo. He’s supposed to be her trainer, not her confidant.”Theo frowned. “You think there’s something going on between them?”Miguel stopped pacing, his expression serious. “I don’t just think it—I know it. And we need to keep a closer eye on them. There’s something about Oscar that doesn’t add up. He’s disrespectful to staff, acts entitled, and now he’s cozying up to Sophia.”Theo nodded thoughtfully. “Do you want me to escalate this?

Chapter 30The next day was a Sunday. It was a bright morning, and the mansion grounds were bustling with activity. The new gardener was trimming hedges, while a few maids hurried about their chores. At the gate, Martin, the elderly gateman, was performing his usual duties, meticulously inspecting everyone entering and leaving.A sleek, black car pulled up at the gate, and Oscar stepped out. Dressed in an expensive tracksuit and sunglasses, he looked around with a smug expression. He gestured impatiently at Martin, his tone sharp.“Hurry up, old man! Do you want me to stand here all day?” Oscar snapped, leaning against the car. “Open the gate already!”Martin, used to dealing with difficult people, remained calm but couldn’t hide the slight frown forming on his face. “I’m just doing my job, sir. Could you please confirm your identity?”Oscar scoffed, pulling off his sunglasses. “I’m Sophia’s gym instructor. She’s expecting me. Now stop wasting my time and open the gate!”Martin nodded