Chapter 62
The situation was critical.
Although she had pulled an all-nighter to repair the core data, the rest of the work had to be done on-site at the institute, in collaboration with other experts.
Mr. Harrison had told her he’d found her a partner with a “strong background, solid skills, and the ability to help her handle certain special problems p>
She never expected that partner to be Vaelion City’s golden boy, Nicholas Blackwood.
The two of them walked into the national core research institute’s central control room for “Project Aegis p>
The atmosphere was tense. On the massive circular screen in the control room, the core algorithm module was flashing with glaring red alerts.
Dozens of researchers in white lab coats, including several senior members with graying hair, were clustered around the control panels, working furiously.
Their entrance made a few of the researchers pause.
A young, heavyset researcher with a messy mop of hair irritably scratched his head.
“Do you two know where you are? Get out!” he snapped.
Being a group that spent all their time in institutes and labs, none of them
recognized Nicholas Blackwood, the famous heir.
“I’m Serena started to say, not wanting to waste time.
Tyler, already on edge, waved his hand impatiently. “Go, go, go! This is a classified national control center. I don’t care who you are, you have no right to be in here! Unauthorized personnel, get out now p>
His voice was loud, causing many of the nearby researchers to frown in his direction.
At such a critical time, both Tyler’s shouting and the intrusion of two “outsiders” were just adding to the chaos.
Serena’s brow furrowed, and her fingers tightened impatiently on the strap of her canvas bag.
Just as Tyler was about to rush over and shove them, Nicholas, hands still in his pockets, took a single step forward.
His tall frame completely shielded Serena.
His roguish, lazy aura receded slightly as he glanced at Tyler.
That single look was enough to make Tyler’s voice catch in his throat, leaving him speechless.
“You’re aware this is a classified national control center?” the man’s voice was cool and tinged with danger.
Tyler’s expression immediately stiffened.
It was impossible to enter this control room without clearance.
But… how could they possibly have clearance?
“Move p>
Serena’s voice was sharp with impatience.
She reached out and pushed the obstructing Tyler aside.
Her hand was incredibly slender, and next to the heavyset man, her arm looked as if
it could snap with a firm grip.
Yet, with what seemed like little effort, Tyler stumbled two steps to the side, nearly falling to the ground.
Without so much as a glance, Serena found an empty seat, sat down, and pulled her laptop out of her bag.
While it was booting up, Serena looked up, her eyes quickly scanning the massive screen before her, imprinting all the data flow paths into her mind.
“Pull up all the data changes from last night’s repairs until now,” she commanded.
“And sync the logs from the data cleanse I ran last night p>
The girl’s voice was cool and calm, not loud, but it carried an authority that compelled obedience.
One of the researchers was about to comply.
But Tyler, who had just regained his balance, slammed his hand on the table, his face flushing with angry embarrassment. “Who do you think you are? This is classified national data. Why would we ever pulbit up for you p>
“Tyler, she… she might be the help Mr. Harrison called in another researcher reminded him.
Tyler sneered, his eyes raking over
Serena. His face, greasy from lack of
sleep, was filled with disdain. “How
old is she? Is she even an adult? A kid who’s barely out of her teens is our savior? If she’s the help Mr. Harrison sent, I’ll get down on my knees and call her my master p>
“No need.” Serena’s gaze was frosty. She finally looked up to give Tylera direct look her voice indifferent. “I- have no desire to have an idiot like you in my family line p>