From Useless Son-in-Law to Hacker King

The Family Meeting

Lucas heard the voices before he even reached the living room.

Raised. Desperate. Angry.

He stood in the doorway and took in the scene. William slumped in his armchair like someone had physically beaten him, his shirt wrinkled and untucked, tie hanging loose around his neck. The man looked like he'd aged a decade overnight. Clara sat on the edge of the sofa, a tissue clutched in one hand, her other hand twisted in her lap. Uncle Thomas stood by the window with his back to everyone, shoulders rigid.

Robert paced. Back and forth, back and forth, like a predator in a cage.

Naomi sat alone on the loveseat, staring at the coffee table like it held answers. She hadn't even changed out of her work clothes from yesterday. Her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, makeup smudged under her eyes.

Nobody acknowledged Lucas when he entered. He took his usual spot near the door, close enough to hear but far enough away that they could pretend he wasn't there.

William cleared his throat. "CyberShield arrived at six this morning." His voice came out rough, like he'd been shouting. Or crying. "They brought their entire team. Six hours they worked on it. Six hours." He paused and rubbed his face with both hands. "They can't break the encryption."

The words settled over the room like ash.

Clara made a small choking sound. "But they're CyberShield. They're supposed to be the best in the country."

"They are the best." William's hands dropped to his lap. "That's what makes this so bad. They said the encryption is military-grade. Possibly government-level. They've never encountered anything like it in twenty years of business."

Robert stopped pacing. "So what the hell are our options here?"

"We pay the ransom." William said it like he was pronouncing a death sentence. "It's the only option we have left."

"Ten million dollars." Clara said the number like it physically hurt her. "Ten million dollars to criminals."

Uncle Thomas finally turned from the window. "William, you know we don't have that kind of liquid capital right now. Everything's locked up in the IPO preparation."

"I know!" William's voice cracked. He took a breath, seemed to gather himself. "I know. We have thirty-six hours left. In that time, our pre-IPO stock value has already dropped fifteen percent. Word leaked about the attack. Investors are getting nervous."

"Fifteen percent?" Robert's face went pale. "In one day?"

"Investors don't like uncertainty. And right now, we're drowning in it."

"How bad can this get?" Robert asked quietly.

William met his son's eyes. "If we don't resolve this? We lose everything. The company, the contracts, the IPO. Everything my father built. Gone."

Clara started crying. Not the delicate tears she usually deployed for effect, but real, ugly sobs that shook her shoulders.

"What about the police?" Naomi spoke for the first time, her voice barely above a whisper. "The FBI?"

William shook his head. "They can't help us, not on this timeline. Even if they could track down who did this, there's no guarantee we'd recover our data."

The room fell silent except for Clara's crying.

Lucas watched them from his spot by the door. This was Victor's doing. Victor, who'd always loved the slow destruction more than the quick kill.

Robert straightened suddenly. "Wait. I have an idea."

Everyone turned to him like he'd just offered them a life raft.

"Marcus Chen." Robert started pacing again, but this time with energy instead of panic. "You all know Marcus. His family is old money. Serious money. They've got the kind of liquidity we need."

Clara sat up straighter. "Robert, what are you thinking?"

"What if they invested in Wright Industries? A major capital injection. They could give us the funds to pay this ransom and stabilize the company."

"That's..." William leaned forward. "That's not a bad idea. But why would the Chens invest right now? We're a liability."

"Because we'd give them equity. A significant stake. And because..." Robert stopped pacing and looked directly at Naomi. "Marcus has always been interested in Naomi."

Lucas felt something cold slide down his spine.

Naomi's head snapped up. "What did you just say?"

"Marcus Chen. You've met him. Successful, Stanford MBA, runs three companies. He's asked about you multiple times. If there was a connection between our families, his father would be more inclined to invest."

"Robert—" Naomi started.

"Think about it. The Chen family invests fifteen million. We use ten to pay the ransom, five to stabilize operations. In exchange, they get equity and a relationship between you and Marcus."

"You mean marry me off." Naomi's voice was flat.

"I mean create an opportunity. You spend time together. Let the families become closer."

Clara jumped in immediately. "Naomi, this could save the company! This could save everything!"

"By selling me like I'm some kind of business asset?"

"By making a smart decision!" Clara stood up. "And honestly, sweetheart, it's not like your current situation is working out, is it?"

Lucas felt every word like a physical blow.

Naomi's face flushed red. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're married to a man who contributes nothing to this family!" Clara gestured in Lucas's general direction without actually looking at him. "Marcus Chen is everything Lucas isn't. Successful. Wealthy. He could actually provide for you!"

"Mom, stop—"

"I will not stop! Our company is dying, Naomi! And we have a solution sitting right in front of us, but you won't take it because you're being stubborn about a marriage that's already failed!"

"I'm not being stubborn! I'm married! That means something!"

"To HIM?" Clara finally looked at Lucas, and the contempt in her eyes made his stomach turn. "What has he done for you? What has he done for this family in three years? Tell me one thing!"

Lucas stood there, hands clenched at his sides, unable to speak.

"Clara." William's voice cut through the room. "That's enough."

"Is it enough? We have thirty-six hours! And our daughter won't help us because she's protecting a man who can't even hold down a job!"

"This is insane," Naomi said, her voice shaking. "I'm not divorcing Lucas."

Robert stepped forward, his voice calm and measured. "Naomi, listen. We're out of options. CyberShield failed. The FBI can't help. We don't have the cash. But Marcus is interested. His family has the money. This could save everything."

"At what cost?"

"At the cost of a marriage that's already over!" Clara's voice cracked. "You don't even sleep in the same room! You barely speak to each other!"

Naomi opened her mouth but no words came out.

"There has to be another way," she said finally, but her voice was weak.

"What other way?" Robert demanded. "Tell me, Naomi. What's your plan?"

Everyone was looking at Naomi. Waiting for her to cave.

She stood there for a long moment, tears streaming down her face. Then she straightened her shoulders. "I'm not divorcing Lucas. I'm not marrying Marcus Chen. We'll find another way."

"There is no other way!" Robert shouted.

"Then we'll lose the company!" Naomi shouted back. "But I am not doing this!"

She stormed toward the door. Lucas stepped aside to let her pass. For just a second, their eyes met. He saw everything in that look. Pain. Confusion. And something else. A desperate, silent question.

Prove them wrong.

Then she was gone. The door slammed hard enough to rattle the frame.