Reincarnated With the Ultimate Son-in-law System

Chapter 12

What exactly is Buzzer?" Katherine held up the phone, suspicion evident in her narrowed eyes.

Michael maintained a neutral expression as he buttoned his shirt. "It's a confidential Crawford security initiative. Father authorized it directly after the Westside Development irregularities."

"And you didn't think to mention this to me?" Katherine's tone was perfectly calibrated to convey hurt rather than the calculation Michael now recognized behind her questions.

"It's classified, Katherine. Even Eric doesn't have clearance." Michael took the phone, tucking it into his inner jacket pocket. "The project integrates next-generation security protocols into our building management systems. Father wants it kept strictly confidential until implementation."

Katherine's posture relaxed slightly. "I'm your wife, Michael. We shouldn't have secrets."

"You're right," Michael replied, kissing her cheek. "I should have told you. Just keep it between us, alright? Father was explicit about information security."

She nodded, returning his kiss with practiced affection. "Of course. I'm proud of you, taking on all these new responsibilities."

After Michael left for the office, Katherine retrieved a small tracking device from her vanity drawer. She'd ordered it the previous day after discovering Michael's secret phone. With efficient movements, she slipped into the garage and planted the device in the driver's seat cushion of Michael's car, perfectly positioned between the seams where it wouldn't be detected during normal use.

"Let's see where you're really going, husband," she murmured, activating the tracker on her own phone.

At Crawford Enterprises headquarters, Michael gathered his executive team in the main conference room. Large digital displays lined the walls, showcasing the new Digital Integration Framework he'd developed over the past week.

"Today marks a significant step forward for Crawford's technology strategy," Michael began, addressing the room. "Our buildings have always been intelligent. Now they'll be prescient."

For the next forty minutes, Michael presented a comprehensive system that integrated artificial intelligence with building management protocols. The centerpiece was a predictive maintenance algorithm that anticipated equipment failures before they occurred, reducing operating costs by a projected 17%.

"This goes beyond the smart building concept," Michael explained, gesturing to the animated simulation on the main screen. "Traditional systems react to problems. Our framework prevents them entirely."

Jason leaned forward, his skepticism evident. "And you developed this in a week? Seems ambitious even for you, Michael."

"I've been working on these concepts for months," Michael replied smoothly. "Father's appointment simply accelerated the implementation timeline."

As the presentation continued, Michael deliberately inserted subtle security gaps in the documentation—vulnerabilities that would appear as oversight errors to someone looking for weaknesses. Each "flaw" was actually a honeypot, designed to track anyone who attempted to exploit them.

"These misinformation traps will lead Eric exactly where I want him," Michael thought as he distributed the digital materials to the team. "Let him think he's finding my mistakes."

After the meeting, Michael made his way to the financial department. He'd spent the previous evening identifying key personnel who'd been marginalized or dismissed in his former timeline—talented individuals whose careers had been sacrificed to Eric's ambitions.

Sandra Williams sat at her desk, methodically analyzing spreadsheets with the focus of someone who knew her work was undervalued. In Michael's previous life, she had been fired after questioning inconsistencies in Eric's financial reports, branded as "disruptive" and "lacking team spirit." Her warnings about the company's financial vulnerabilities had been buried—warnings that, in retrospect, might have saved Michael's life if heeded.

"Ms. Williams," Michael said, approaching her desk. "Do you have a moment?"

Sandra looked up, surprise evident on her face. "Mr. Crawford. Of course."

Michael gestured toward a nearby conference room. "In private, if you don't mind."

Once inside with the door closed, Michael came directly to the point. "I'm implementing new financial oversight protocols, and I need someone who understands our systems inside and out."

Sandra straightened slightly. "I've been with the company's financial department for seven years, sir."

"I know," Michael nodded. "I've also read your reports from last quarter, specifically your concerns about the allocation methodologies in our development projects."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Those reports were... not well-received by management."

"By my brother, you mean," Michael said bluntly.

After a moment's hesitation, she nodded. "Your brother felt my concerns were overblown."

"They weren't," Michael replied. "In fact, you identified exactly the issues that recently came to light in the Westside Development. That's why I'm appointing you as Director of Financial Systems Integrity, reporting directly to me."

Sandra stared at him. "That's... a significant promotion."

"With significant responsibilities," Michael agreed. "I need someone who isn't afraid to flag irregularities, no matter whose projects they appear in. Someone who knows exactly where to look."

Understanding dawned in her eyes. "Even if those irregularities appear in your brother's divisions."

"Especially then," Michael confirmed. "The company comes first, Ms. Williams. Always."

Sandra nodded slowly, a new determination settling over her features. "When do I start?"

"Immediately," Michael replied, sliding a folder across the table. "These are the account numbers and transaction histories I want you to focus on first. You'll have complete access to all financial systems, and you'll report any findings directly to me—not to anyone else, regardless of their position in the company."

"I understand," Sandra said, taking the folder.

"I hope you do," Michael added, his voice low and serious. "Because the future of Crawford Enterprises may depend on it."

Rebecca's knock on Michael's apartment door came precisely at 7 PM. When he opened it, he found her looking significantly better than during their midnight encounter—less frantic, though still cautious.

"You actually did it," she said without preamble, holding up a flash drive. "Sixty percent of my data recovered. The core therapeutic protocols are intact."

Michael stepped aside to let her enter. "Only sixty percent?"

"The most critical sixty percent," Rebecca clarified, moving past him into the apartment. "Enough to rebuild the rest. The neural regeneration pathway sequencing was untouched—that's the breakthrough component."

Michael closed the door behind her. "Tell me about this breakthrough. In terms even a real estate developer might understand."

Rebecca's eyes lit up with genuine passion. "Imagine your brain as a vast highway system. When trauma occurs—stroke, injury, degenerative disease—some roads get destroyed. Traditional medicine says those roads are gone forever. My therapy proves they're not."

She paced as she spoke, hands gesturing animatedly. "We've always believed neurons couldn't regenerate, that brain damage was permanent. My research demonstrates that's fundamentally wrong. The neural pathways can be restored if you provide the right environment and stimulation sequence."

"And your therapy creates that environment?" Michael asked.

"Exactly," Rebecca nodded enthusiastically. "Using a proprietary combination of stem cell activation and targeted stimulation, we can guide new neural connections to form along the patterns of the old ones. We're not just treating symptoms—we're actually reversing the damage."

Michael watched her carefully. "And Neuro-Gen wanted to rush this to market?"

Rebecca's expression darkened. "They wanted to skip crucial safety protocols. The therapy works, but the stimulation sequences have to be precisely calibrated to each patient's neural architecture. Rush that process, and you risk creating seizure disorders, personality alterations, even psychosis."

"But done correctly?"

"Done correctly, it could help millions of people recover from conditions currently considered permanent," Rebecca replied. "Stroke victims could regain lost functions. Traumatic brain injury patients could recover lost memories and cognitive abilities. Early-stage Alzheimer's might be reversible."

Michael nodded slowly. "No wonder they tried to steal it."

"Which brings me back to my question," Rebecca said, crossing her arms. "Why exactly did Crawford Pharmaceuticals try to take my research, and why are you now helping me?"

Michael considered his response carefully. "The encryption signature matched our company's protocols, but I believe it was deployed without proper authorization. My brother oversees that division, and he's... ambitious."

"Corporate sabotage within your own family company?" Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "That's quite an accusation."

"One I'm in the process of proving," Michael replied. "Meanwhile, I'd like to offer you a consulting position with Buzzer Technologies."

"The mysterious company you're founding," Rebecca said skeptically. "What exactly would this position entail?"

"Two components," Michael explained. "First, secured facilities and funding to continue your neural regeneration research without corporate interference. Complete autonomy, as promised."

"And second?"

"Collaboration with our team on neural interface technology," Michael continued. "We're developing devices that respond to subtle neural signals. Your expertise could help refine the system's sensitivity and response patterns."

Rebecca studied him for a long moment. "You're offering to fund my research with no strings attached, just for some consulting on your interface project?"

"The neural interface technology is revolutionary in its own right," Michael replied. "But imagine combining it with your regeneration techniques. A device that not only responds to neural signals but could potentially help repair neural damage."

Understanding dawned in Rebecca's eyes. "A therapeutic delivery system. The device could monitor neural patterns and administer precisely calibrated stimulation sequences."

"Exactly," Michael nodded. "But only if you're interested. Your research continues regardless."

Rebecca walked to the window, considering. "I'd need to meet this team of yours before making any decisions."

"Of course," Michael agreed. "They're expecting us tomorrow morning."

"Then I'll give you my answer after meeting them," Rebecca decided. "But I am... cautiously interested."

Michael smiled. "That's all I ask."

After Rebecca left, Michael received an alert from one of the surveillance systems he'd installed throughout Crawford Enterprises. The notification showed unusual activity in parking level B3—a section normally deserted after business hours.

Michael pulled up the security feed on his Buzzer phone, a frown forming as he recognized the two figures meeting in what they clearly believed was a camera blind spot. Eric stood with his back to the wall while Jason nervously glanced around, ensuring they weren't observed.

The audio was faint but clear enough:

"Is this what I think it is?" Jason asked, examining a flash drive Eric had pressed into his palm.

Eric's voice was low and measured. "This will corrupt his financial projections during the board presentation. They need to see he's not ready."

"And if I get caught?" Jason's anxiety was evident.

"You won't," Eric assured him. "But if something goes wrong, I'll make sure you're protected. Remember our arrangement."

Jason nodded, pocketing the flash drive. "What about Katherine? Does she know?"

"Katherine has her role to play," Eric replied dismissively. "You focus on yours."

Michael watched the exchange with cold calculation. Everything was proceeding exactly as he'd anticipated. Eric was making his move, using the same tactics that had worked in Michael's previous life.

"Predictable," Michael murmured, saving the recording to his secure server. "But this time, I'm three steps ahead."