Chapter 8
The older officer looked at me skeptically and asked, “So, you deliberately wrote 58 viruses just to frame Sisca?”
I leaned back, feigning a casual confidence. “I‘ m a cybersecurity student; learning about different types of viruses is part of the job. How else am I supposed to be prepared to defend against them if I don’t run some simulations now and then?”
The officer chuckled, nodding as if amused by my response. I continued, keeping my tone nonchalant. “And since we re being honest, I’d still like to know why Sisca went to all this trouble just to steal my work. And that slap she gave me? I’ll expect justice for that too.”
“Ms. Randall, don‘ t worry,” he assured me. “The police will handle it from
here.”
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When I first came back to this life, I had a sneaking suspicion that I was constantly being watched. Ben and Nathan, one an architecture major and the other into. sports, had absolutely no background in coding. Yet, somehow, my code kept. ending up in their hands. With each line of code I wrote, they seemed to have an uncanny way of tracking every step. I couldn’t make sense of it.
In my dorm room, surrounded by people who might be friends or foes, I played along as if everything were fine. I trusted my old professor and his wife, of course, but when I stayed at her house, I still didn’t risk dismantling my laptop‘ s surveillance setup.
But now, things had changed. My father, the wealthy Vincent Jo, had found me. I didn’t need this competition for my career. Now, it was all about revenge.
That evening when I got home, my so- called brother, Logan, greeted me with his
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usual sarcastic smirk. “Well, well, if it isn’t the cybersecurity prodigy herself!”
“Dad!” I laughed, pretending to pout. “Why does Logan have to greet me like that? It’s like he‘ s upset I‘ m back.”
My dad chuckled, patting my shoulder.
“Our Ran has a sharp wit, just like me.”
“Oh, Logan,” I added with a sly grin, “you know, the person who’s been spamming every forum and calling me
‘The Plagiarist‘? Isn’t she your girlfriend?”
Logan’s face turned pale as he glared at me. “Don‘ t even start with that
nonsense.”
“Enough!” Dad’s voice boomed. “Logan, remember who you‘ re talking to. Ran is your sister and the future head of Jo Enterprises. Show some respect.”
Logan grumbled, gathering his things to leave, but Dad wasn‘ t done. “Get back here,” he ordered.
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Reluctantly, Logan stopped in his tracks, muttering under his breath.
At dinner, Dad announced, “Ran, it seems you have quite the talent for cybersecurity. If you like, we could hold our own tech competition. What do you think?”
I considered it. “No need, Dad. I‘ m focusing on business studies. I have plans. to go far beyond these competitions.” My gaze flicked over to Logan, enjoying the way he squirmed.
Dad’s eyes lit up and he reached over, taking my hand warmly. “Ran, there’s no pressure. I only want the best for you. And when you take over Jo Enterprises, you can pursue cyber defense as a passion if you like.”
“Besides,” he continued with a
mischievous twinkle, “when you win any award in the next competition, I’ll be announcing to everyone that you are Vincent Jo’s real daughter!”
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“Oh.” he added, looking Logan’s way.
and as for holding the competition? Logan, you” II be handling the
organization for your sister s debut.”
Logan‘ s face burned red, his fists clenched as he fought to hide his frustration. It was clear that his rivalry with me was only getting started.
The outcome of the last cybersecurity competition left Sisca to shoulder all the consequences. Nathan and Ben, who once thought she was nothing but pure–hearted. finally realized she wasn‘ t so innocent after all. And now, they were both back. pleading for my forgiveness.
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