Chapter 7 Try Harder Next Time

Oasis Club was one of Crustin's top clubs, and it had hundreds of employees.

When Ayden strode into the server room, clusters of anxious technicians circled computers that seemed to freeze.

Without waiting, Ayden took charge at the main terminal, fingers flying as he forced the system to limp back online.

The club owner did not waste a second. "Her file says she goes by Nicky."

Nicole always used that name for her work here.

Ayden frowned, finding the name odd.

Still, he typed it in.

Right away, a file flashed onto the screen. But before he could click it open, the entry glitched, blinked, and the file began to delete itself.

Someone was fighting him for the control of the system.

Refusing to back down, Ayden quickly started to retrieve the lost data. Yet the information disappeared before his eyes despite his efforts.

This was bizarre.

Whoever was behind this kept changing tactics, erasing pieces in unpredictable bursts. Each time Ayden tried to lock in a detail, it disappeared before he could process it.

Now, the only thing he knew about that woman was the name Nicky.

But he knew even that was a fake name.

Frustration got the better of him, and he slammed his palm against the keys.

At that moment, the screen turned black.

Then, out of nowhere, a cartoon bunny popped up on the main display, shaking its little tail at Ayden and spinning in a circle.

A comic speech bubble appeared above the bunny's head.

"Try harder next time."

Ayden blinked, stunned.

Seeing that, not a single person in the room dared to make a sound.

***

On the rooftop across the street.

Nicole lounged on the stair railing, her legs swinging lazily, her eyes full of confidence.

Balanced on her knees, a "borrowed" laptop displayed that same cheeky pink bunny.

"You can't beat me in a million years," Nicole murmured, lips curled in a mocking smile as she snapped the laptop closed.

Nearby, a teenage boy hugged his backpack, his panicked eyes on Nicole.

He had been on his way home when this woman swooped in, dragged him here, and took his laptop from him.

Was he getting mugged like this?

While he tried to process it, Nicole hopped down and tossed the laptop back to him.

"Here, kid. I cleared out those inappropriate videos for you. Take my advice and focus on your studies from now on," Nicole said.

The boy gave a tiny nod, saying, "Okay..."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Nicole found his demeanor cute and tousled his hair as if he were a small, bewildered pet.

"Good boy."

Left speechless, the boy just stared.

Nicole straightened, zipped up her suit, and started down the stairs.

Dealing with Ayden had left her tired and drenched in sweat; she was desperate for a proper shower.

Ayden proved far from ordinary. He was not only powerful; his hacking and fighting skills were also incredible.

Nicole refused to lower her guard until she completely escaped.

When she reached the eleventh-floor landing, she pushed open a window and eyed the rooftop across, perfectly positioned for a quick escape.

A smirk broke across her face.

With one smooth motion, she shoved the window open and sprang across the gap.

Behind her, the stunned boy stood frozen, trying to convince himself he had not just witnessed something out of a movie.