Chapter 30 Challenge Accepted
“I asked you just now–what if what I did was actually good for the company?”
Alice raised her voice on purpose, forcing everyone to face the question head–on.
Ruby’s face froze.
No one had ever dared speak at her like that.
Alice must be out of her mind,
+8 Pearls
Troy, standing nearby, let out a cold laugh. He was no stranger to code–just one glance at Alice’s screen and he knew exactly what it was.
“If what you did truly benefits the company, I’ll give up my position to you.”
Alice raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Oh? You’ll step down? Then what?”
“If I can’t even understand something this basic, I’ve got no business being here. I’ll resign,” Troy declared with conviction.
The commotion in the IT department quickly drew a crowd.
After all, the company’s entire system had just been hacked–most employees were temporarily without work, and naturally, curiosity got the better of them.
The design department, being closest to IT, caught wind of it first.
But no one dared sneak a look.
Their department head, Eric, was currently reviewing blueprints with razor–sharp focus.
Everyone was curious about the gossip, but it had to wait.
Daniel walked in with a folder of documents and immediately noticed everyone craning their necks toward the hallway. He frowned in confusion.
Handing the file to Eric, he opened his mouth to report–only to be cut off.
“If you’re that eager to see what’s going on, then go,” Eric said casually.
Daniel blinked. “Huh?”
Eric glanced up, clearly annoyed.
“Well? Are you pushing the wheelchair or not?”
Completely baffled, Daniel walked over and placed his hands on the wheelchair.
Before he could even push, the electric wheelchair rolled forward on its own. Daniel muttered under his breath. Why exactly does his boss need him for? Still, he hurried to keep up.
To onlookers, it looked like Daniel was racing to catch the drama unfolding in IT.
Chapter 30 Challenge Accepted
Daniel whined inwardly. This was so unfair, but he couldn’t say a thing.
+8 Pearls
Since Eric was on the move, no one else felt the need to hold back. Soon, nearly the entire design department had gathered at the entrance of IT.
Ruby sighed.
“Troy, there’s no need to get so worked up.”
She turned to Alice, putting on a gentle expression.
“Alice, thankfully we discovered this early. You haven’t done too much damage yet. I think we should just let this slide.”
Troy’s expression turned grim.
Ms. Randall, I know you want everything to be harmonious, but this is a company.”
He pressed his fingers to his temple, his brows deeply creased.
“Alice may be new. She might lack experience, even slack off a little–that’s tolerable. But stealing company data? That’s a red line. In the IT department, we don’t tolerate thieves.”
His words struck a nerve, and the rest of the IT staff immediately joined in, their anger flaring.
Their stance was clear: they wanted Alice out.
Ruby looked conflicted, trying to keep the peace.
“Alice probably didn’t think it through. I’m sure this has been a wake–up call for her.”
She gave Troy an earnest look.
“And right now, we should be focusing on getting our systems back online. That’s the real priority.”
Troy pressed his lips together.
“She doesn’t have to leave the company, but we in IT won’t work with her.”
Ruby was in a tight spot.
Whispers broke out among the surrounding employees.
“She just got here and already tried to take over the company–what a power trip.”
“Ms. Randall never planned on competing with her. Some small–town girl thinks she’s hot stuff.”
“Who even knows if a bumpkin like her ever went to college? And she has the nerve to be Deputy Director? Did she know what her worth was?”
“Trying to steal data on day one? Is she a genius or just plain stupid?”
Troy seized the moment to press harder.
“Ms. Randall, you need to give our department an answer.”
12:51 PM
Chapter 30 Challenge Accepted
He paused, then deliberately raised his voice.
“Either she stays, or I do–not both.”
Outside the crowd, Daniel’s face tightened with worry.
“Mr. Eric, maybe I should step in and help Ms. Alice?”
Eric’s expression was calm, almost indifferent. He didn’t look concerned in the slightest.
“No need.”
+8 Pearls
Daniel leaned closer and whispered, “But what if she really gets kicked out? That would compromise your position in the design department.”
A small smile tugged at Eric’s lips. “She won’t.”
Daniel stared blankly. What does he even mean?
Wait–won’twhat?
Won’tmessup, orwon’tbekickedout?
Eric didn’t clarify. His deep, unreadable eyes were fixed on Alice.
Alice, meanwhile, kept her gaze on the computer screen.
Her fingers moved across the keyboard with ease, tapping out commands smoothly and decisively. It was nothing like someone fumbling their way through technology.
Then, all of a sudden, she spoke up. “Done.”
Her voice rang out, loud and clear–cutting straight through the swirl of accusations and murmurs.
It stopped Ruby mid–sentence, swallowing the words kick her out before they could land.
For a moment, silence engulfed the entire IT department. Every single pair of eyes turned toward her.
She stood up and took a step back, giving Troy a clear view of the screen.
“Mr. Hayden, please take a look.”
