Chapter 144
Alice called back.“What do
you
mean?”
“Alice, I checked the bar. The footage was deleted. I’m not sure I can recover it.” Alice was disappointed.
“Alice, Ethan said he can handle the Garcia family, but he wants you to go home and apologize. Can you please stop being stubborn?”
“No.” Alice hung up.
After much deliberation, she logged into a program she hadn’t used in years – the dark web. She used to learn there, and she’d even helped build her brother’s firewall system based on knowledge gained there. But he hated the dark web, so she hadn’t dared tell him about her involvement. She’d almost been discovered and had cut all ties.
Now, free from the Windham family, she had no reason to hide. She posted a bounty: [Seeking J’s contact information!]
I was someone she’d known; highly skilled. Years had passed, so she wasn’t sure if they were still active. This was her only hope.
News spread quickly in the dark web.
At a private club, Luke showed Jack his phone.“Someone’s looking for you!”
Jack saw the username, [MMBean], and found it familiar.“J’s been inactive for a long time. Why is someone using that name?”
“Is it one of your old flames, Jack?”
Jack reflected. “I remember someone. Young, very talented, who liked asking basic questions on the dark web.”
“Yeah, that kid wanted to be your apprentice, but then disappeared.”
Jack looked at the post. He was curious. Had something happened? He’d taught the kid a lot, worried they’d go astray.
He logged in and sent a private message: [Disappeared for years. What do you need?]
for for a reply. Seeing the
Seeing the message, her heart leaped.
Alice waited anxiously
Alice: [Need your help!]
Jack:[What is it?]
Alice: [Recover a deleted surveillance video. I have the raw data]
Jack:[What’s in the video?]
Alice: [Evidence of a friend being harmed. To put the culprit in jail!] Jack:[Send it.]
Alice sent the data..
Jack opened the file, raising an eyebrow.“This is the footage from the second floor of that bar.”
“Yes, you wanted to check the footage, but the Garcia family deleted it. I tried to recover the data, but it was gone. Who is MMBean?”
Chapter 148
Jack’s expression turned serious. MMBean knew Alice. What was their relationship? Alice asked, [Can you recover it?]
[Yes, but it involves a crime. We need to meet.]
Alice agreed. No problem. When?]
[Saturday at the latest.]
[See you Saturday.]
She smiled. Once she had the video, Chloe’s good days were over.
Jack looked at the data, sensing something was off.
Jack, do you think MMBean is Little Lemon?”
“Why?”
“There’s a big story at Harvard. A freshman was slut–shamed and locked the bullies‘ phones. Even the
computer science department couldn’t. crack her code! Amazing, right?”
Jack’s eyes narrowed.“Don’t tell me it’s Alice.”
“Yes! That’s why I think MMBean is her!”
Jack hadn’t expected Alice to be so skilled. If MMBean was Alice, it made sense.
He looked at Luke. “Let’s get to work. The video needs to be recovered by Friday.” Whether it was Alice or not, he had to recover that footage.
On Friday, Alice left the dorm to meet J. At the school gate, Noah stopped her, handing her a designer gift bag.
“Alice, about Max at the bar… if you want to pursue this, I’ll get you the best lawyer.”
“Really?” Alice smiled faintly.“What if Chloe is involved? Would your lawyer pu
pursue it?”
Noah hesitated.“Alice, I asked Chloe. You know about Max bullying that girl to death. Chloe was afraid, and she didn’t dare help you. But she wouldn’t hurt you!”
Alice wasn’t surprised. She laughed, a humorless laugh. She tossed the bag back. The Windhams are just as disgusting as ever.”
“Alice, I know you dislike Chloe, but she searched for you all night. She had no reason to hurt you.”
Alice said coldly,“Chloe always
always wanted my place. She has every reason. “You misunderstand her. She’s an adopted daughter; she wouldn’t replace you. You’re our real sister.”
“Enough. You say I’m your sister, but you won’t hold Chloe accountable?” How cheap was this sisterhood?
Noah was anxious.“But the second–floor footage was deleted. There’s no proof Chloe was involved!” He was also in a difficult position. Why couldn’t Alice be understanding?
“You want evidence? You’ll have it soon.”
