Chapter 25 The Hacker in the Window
Finished
At the same time, just as Sam reached the café entrance, she was surprised to see the tracking signal disappear.
“Tracking address has expired.”
Finn had already spotted her target. She leaned her chin against one hand, sipping her lemon water as she openly studied Wendy from across the room.
Huh. Genetics really were something. How could two people look so much alike?
Wendy wanted her tech. Finn could help.
As long as Wendy could pay the right price.
The café door chimed as Sam walked in, already pocketing her phone.
She didn’t notice Finn sitting there, just gave the place a quick once–over and gestured. “Signal dropped over there.”
Unlike Sam, Wendy saw her right away–teal dress, seated by the window, eyes fixed on her phone, wearing a half–smile. The whole scene looked like a painting. Something about it felt familiar.
A sudden stab of pain hit her temple, sharp and fast, before fading just as quickly. Whatever it stirred up inside her got shoved down hard.
Finn watched her walk closer, step by step, until Wendy stopped beside the table.
“You wanted to see me.” Wendy didn’t even bother asking. It wasn’t a question..
Between the IP vanishing and the reverse trace screen Finn had so conveniently left visible, Wendy already knew. Finn was the one who’d pinged her, and Finn was Dr. Yardle.
“Want something to drink?” Finn didn’t bother being coy. She pulled her lemon water closer and said, “I was gonna go to your office, but your receptionist wasn’t thrilled to see me. And if I’m being honest, it looks like she doesn’t only answer to you.”
Sam stood there frozen while Wendy sat down without hesitation.
Finn took another sip. “If I were here to talk business, you’d have just lost me. All thanks to your front desk.”
Wendy stared at her for a long second, then turned to Sam
“Forget docking her bonus. Fire her. Right now.”
“Wait–what?” Sam hadn’t caught up yet, but Wendy’s tone was enough. She pulled out her phone and made the call.
17
Chapter 25 The Hacker in the Window
Finn looked up again. “Make hers soda water. Coffee’s not great for her reflux.
“Um-”
Wendy didn’t care what she drank. Her focus was locked on Finn.
“You’re here to talk tech?”
Finished
Finn shrugged. “Not exactly. I came on my own. Didn’t expect your receptionist to block me, and I definitely didn’t think you’d trace me here.”
Her eyes glittered with something close to approval.
“You’re the first person to ever track me. And I even noticed it right away.
No one found her unless she wanted to be found.
“Say what you want.”
“You want my tech? Fine. I want a seat in Quinn Group’s R&D department. Total autonomy. No one breathing down my neck.”
Sam leaned her elbow on the table, rapping her nails lightly. “You’ve got nerve. Do you even know what Quinn Group’s R&D is worth?”
Finn didn’t flinch.
“I know tech better than any of you. And I want Quinn Group at the top just as much as you do. My ambitions won’t hurt you–but you’d better think this through.”
She tilted her head, eyes locked on Wendy.
“Without me, it’ll take Quinn Group at least ten years to lead the domestic market. I’m not the one who needs a job. You’re the one who needs me.”
“Don’t overplay it!”
Finn didn’t respond. She just flicked through something on her phone. A second later, Sam’s voice rang out again in disbelief.
“Sam. Your car’s about to get towed.”
“What?” Sam blinked at her.
Finn pointed out the window. “Brand new sapphire–blue Porsche. One of a kind. Hard to miss.”
Sam turned to look and jumped out of her chair.
“Sh*t!”
Someone really was towing her car outside Quinn Group.
Chapter 25 The Hacker in the Window
Finished
Meanwhile. Wendy suddenly remembered she hadn’t told Chase she had dinner plans. She pulled out her phone to call him.
Chase had plans tonight too. Lately, things between him and Wendy had started to feel like they did right after they got married.
Wendy was loving it.
But Chase felt like he was walking on a knife’s edge.
Being around someone you hadn’t fully let go of–every single day–made it way too easy to fall again..
Especially now that Wendy wasn’t the same person she used to be. She noticed when he was upset. She noticed when he smiled. She seemed to care about every little thing he did. Honestly, in the
past few weeks, she’d shown him more attention than she had in their entire marriage.
If this had been five years ago. Chase would’ve been thrilled.
Now? Now he was terrified.
