A Second Chance at Forever

Chapter 1408

Manipulating people was an art that Yates had mastered, his words carrying the weight of impending doom. “Already?” the voice cracked with apprehension, the fear palpable.

With a nod, Yates affirmed, “If I were in their shoes, free from surveillance, tracking, and the threat of an explosion, I’d be racing back to settle scores.”

Moreover, Bernard was worried sick about Eleanor. There was no way he’d sit back, weak and passive, delaying action. Right now, they needed to prevent the enemy hacker from altering the explosive program.

With that thought, Yates nudged aside a programmer and took his place. His fingers danced over the keyboard, bypassing the complex encryption with ease and rapidly reducing the countdown to detonation.

Cedric, monitoring from another computer, saw his painstakingly extended timer slashed. He cursed under his breath and resumed his frantic typing, his fingers nearly cramping from the effort.

In no time at all, the timer was extended again. Yates couldn’t help but let a grin of admiration slip, “This kid’s got skills, way beyond anyone else here.”

For the manipulators, the strength of the hacker was the least of their concerns; their escape was paramount. “Boss, if Bernard comes knocking tomorrow, do we really think a few sticks of dynamite will do the trick?”

to trigger the explosives from a safe distance. But the creeping doubt remained: would it be

wavered. “Quintus, signal Sheldon. Have him and his boys wait

Quintus, usually chummy with Sheldon, felt his heart drop at the order. “Boss, if we bail and leave Sheldon to fight

Quintus an icy glance. “Remember, without Quartus’ betrayal, Bernard would’ve never breached the Upper Zone. Sacrificing a turncoat is

of agreement. “Exactly. Quartus sided with

Organization together, those in Area Opaca were disintegrating, each to their own. Mr. Quintus couldn’t help but feel a chill, “Easy for

the mission, Mr. Quintus. We’re here to take down the ones who hurt your family, not squabble

this, Mr. Quintus nodded with resignation. “Don’t worry, boss. I won’t spill to Sheldon.

the mission over friendship. In the end, vengeance trumped

“Explosives, defense, my granddaughter-they’re

manipulators, assured of an additional safety net, shook their heads. They could leave early, but they chose to stay, yearning