All Her Secrets

Zobber had heard about what was going on at Styre University, but she shrugged it off as nothing much.

She thought a tiny matter like that wouldn't bother Catherine. So, she ignored it. She just focused on the tasks Catherine had assigned her.

"Catherine, Branden just put in an order for Hacker Alliance again. This time, he jacks up the price by tenfold! He is so generous!" For a regular order, even double the commission would've been a big deal. The Duncans were loaded, but no one expected them to jack up the price by tenfold. Even the seasoned members of the Hacker Alliance were taken aback by the Duncans' extravagance.

Hearing that, Catherine was unfazed as ever.

Branden had always been like this- anything he set his mind to could be accomplished. Money was just a number for the Duncans.

She simply replied, "I told you to take the order. Any issues?" Zobber wouldn't have bothered making this call if it were a regular order. The demands were so high that Zobber couldn't make the decision herself. So, she turned to Catherine.

"Catherine, the Duncans specifically want the chief of the Hacker Alliance to take the order. They won't accept anyone else." Hearing that, Catherine frowned." They wantto take it?" "Yeah. Specifically, you!" The Duncans upped the reward tenfold precisely because they demanded the chief of the Hacker Alliance to handle it. It was something unheard of in the industry.

Zobber hesitated for a moment before voicing her thoughts. She asked, " Catherine, what if the Duncans just want to confirm your identity? Maybe Branden's bluffing, and they're actually looking for you!" "No way!" Catherine decisively dismissed Zobber's speculation.

She and Branden had kept plenty of their identities hidden from each other. It wasn't that they deliberately avoided sharing. Rather, they felt it unnecessary.

They believed what needed to be known would surface naturally without explicitly stating it. It was an unspoken understanding between the two of them.

was the chief of the Hacker Alliance, he'd

to abide by the Hacker Alliance's rules." The Hacker Alliance had been around for a

strictly. Once an order was with the Hacker Alliance, the employers had no right to interfere until the result was out. They

Duncans' attempt to specify the person taking the order was meddling with the Hacker Alliance's internal rules. It was something Catherine

and respected the rules of the Hacker Alliance more

turn down the Duncans later. Anything at the lab needing my help?" "Not necessary. Ronin's on it," Catherine replied before ending

study

room, Branden sat at his desk and was engrossed in

hesitated, wearing a troubled

wrong?" Hearing the cold tone, Paxton looked up and saw Branden still working away without even glancing up. He was a bit surprised. "Mr. Duncan, how did you know I wasn't bringing good news?" Branden paused and set down his papers. He looked up and stared

rules from Hacker Alliance

Duncan, the Hacker Alliance says for them to take the job, we must abide by their rules. They don't have a tradition of assigning tasks and won't set a precedent for us." They had offered a staggering one billion dollars, yet the Hacker Alliance still refused. Paxton wondered what was going on in their minds. He wondered if they really did

his brow. He calmly said, "Increase it." Paxton thought inwardly, "Increase

we consider reaching out to Catherine..." Before Paxton could finish, Branden suddenly looked up

knelt before Branden. " Mr. Duncan, I've erred!" He knew Catherine was a sore point

it was just seeking Catherine's help, in Branden's eyes, it was using Catherine.

Paxton didn't hesitate. He stood up and swiftly left. He feared any delay might result