Chapter 58
Countless lines of scrolling, complex code, dazzlingly intricate formulas, and rapidly partitioning architectural diagrams filled the screen.
Even Julian, who had seen his fair share of high-stakes situations, felt his pupils contract. Behind his lenses, his gentle eyes reflected a sharp glint of astonishment.
As the heir to the Lancaster family, he was well-versed in various fields of data and algorithms.
But looking at the screen full of code before him, he realized its complexity was far beyond his scope of understanding.
He could only discern that she was performing some kind of high-level isolation and removal, as well as some sort of template repair.
This… was not something an ordinary IT engineer could do!
The blue light of the screen illuminated her delicate profile. Her expression was calm and focused, and her fingers flew across the keyboard as if she were in complete control of the situation.
Julian watched Serena for a few seconds before quietly leaving the room, gently closing the door behind him.
An unknown amount of time passed.
Serena finally finished repairing a critical template.
Seeing that the damaged data stream was now stabilized and isolated, she leaned back in her chair, the nerves that had been tense for so long finally relaxing a little.
She closed her eyes and raised a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose.
She then casually picked up the glass of milk beside her and took a sip. The warmth chased away some of her fatigue.
She paused for a moment, then opened her eyes and stared at the glass in her hand.
Someone had deliberately kept it warm for her.
No wonder the temperature was just right.
Remembering her brother’s quiet departure, a strange warmth spread through her
chest.
A faint smile touched her lips. She picked up the pastries, eating them one by one, and then finished the glass of milk.
Her energy replenished, she turned her gaze back to the screen and dove back into the fight.
Dawn broke.
Serena had finally completed the initial emergency repairs, stabilizing the current situation.
Her eyes showed a hint of fatigue, but she had no intention of resting.
She got up, went into the bathroom, and took a shower to wash away her
exhaustion before stuffing her laptop into her canvas bag.
The canvas bag, containing data crucial to national core research, was slung casually over her shoulder.
As soon as she went downstairs, she heard waves of praise and laughter from the living room.
“Oh, our Isabella is just wonderful p>
“Keep up the good work. If you can become Mr. Harrison’s student, your future will be limitless p>
“Remember to double-check the paper you’re submitting p>
Isabella was dressed in a designer suit, her long hair elegantly styled, and her
makeup flawless-the very picture of a refined socialite.
She held a thick manuscript in her hands, sitting demurely on the sofa.
Her parents were seated across from her, their faces beaming with smiles.
“Dad, Mom, you’re giving me too
much credit, Isabella said, her
delicate face wearing a smile of confident ambition. “The
experimental data for the paper is all
organized. I’m planning to visit Mr.
Harrison today to feel things out.
Hopefully can pass the final
assessment and become his
student p>
Her tone was modest, but her eyes couldn’t hide her triumphant glee.
This was her chance to prove her worth to her family.
Her smile widened with a hint of malice as she caught sight of Serena coming down the stairs.
She immediately stood up, her face
bright with an enthusiastic smile, and walked toward Serena, even reaching out to take the canvas bag from her shoulder. “Serena, are you going out too? Where are you headed? I happen to be on my way
to see Mr. Harrison. Would you like
to come along p>
She paused, then feigned a moment of realization and explained hastily, “Oh, you probably don’t know who Mr. Harrison is. He’s a pillar in our country’s field of computer and systems engineering data security. He’s a professor at the prestigious D University, a true national treasure p>
She looked every bit the part of a kind older sister, patiently explaining things to her less worldly sibling.
Serena shifted slightly, avoiding Isabella’s outstretched hand. Her voice was flat. “No, thank you p>
Isabella’s smile faltered for a
second, but she quickly recovered, her expression becoming even more enthusiastic. “Mr. Harrison is truly brilliant. If you could learn even a little from him, it would be incredibly beneficial! Serena, how about… talk to Mr. Harrison and ask him to let you audit one of his classes? Maybe after hearing him lecture, you’ll be inspired to study p>
Serena didn’t break her stride, walking right past Isabella. Her voice was distant and indifferent. “No need. Just worry about yourself p>
With that, she lifted her gaze to her family. “Grandpa, Dad, Mom, Julian, I have some unfinished business to attend to. I need to go out for a bit p>
“Wait!” Catherine’s heart ached for her. She quickly grabbed a thermal container and rushed over. “Serena, no matter how busy you are, you have to eat breakfast. Take this. I’ve already asked the driver to wait for you at the door p>
The moment Catherine saw Serena come down with her canvas bag, she had immediately told a maid to get the container.
The thermal container felt heavy in her hands. Serena’s long, dark lashes fluttered
as she met her mother’s worried eyes.
Warmth spread through her heart, and she slowly smiled. “Thanks, Mom p>