?


    "Well then, I''ll wish you sess, Mr. Sumner. I''ve got other guests to attend to, so I''ll excuse myself," Gabriel said, turning and walking away. Damon''s gaze followed his retreating figure, his expression icy as he downed the rest of his drink in one gulp.


    Damon was certain that Gabriel''s smug grin wouldn''tst much longer.


    Setting his ss down, Damon left the event, only to run into Tom at the entrance.


    Tom''s smile carried a trace of mockery. "Mr. Sumner, long time no see. I hear Prospectus Technology''s chips have been causing you quite a headachetely. Shouldn''t you be busy dealing with that instead of attending parties?"


    Five years ago, Tom had approached Damon with a proposal for a business partnership. Damon hadn''t even spared him a nce.


    Now, Tom was savoring the opportunity to watch Prospectus Technology falter.


    Damon''s face remained impassive. "It seems Prospectus Technology''s business troubles are something you''ve been monitoring closely, Mr. Genge.


    "While you''re so preupied with us, might I suggest focusing on the Genge Group instead? After all, it seems you may not fully understand whether the people you''re working with are allies or foes."


    Damon was well aware of the shady dealings between Tom and Gabriel. It amused him to see Tom blindly walking into a trap, seemingly unafraid of being stung by the scorpion he was scheming with.


    Tom''s expression flickered as his tone turned cold. "Perhaps you should worry more about Prospectus Technology, Mr. Sumner. Apany asrge as yours could easily crumble overnight. That would be a real shame."


    Damon smiled faintly. "Don''t worry, Mr. Genge. Even if Prospectus Technology were to fall, it would still oust the Genge Group."


    Tom sneered. "Is that a threat?"


    Did Damon still think Prospectus Technology was as formidable as before?


    After the Agihop 5th Gen''s mishap, many were watching thepany closely. While it appeared to be thriving, it was actually walking on thin ice. A single misstep could invite predators eager to seize its market share.


    "You''re wee to interpret it that way," Damon replied.


    "Well then, I''ll be waiting to see how things unfold." With a disdainful chuckle, Tom brushed past Damon and entered the party.


    Damon nced back at the lively banquet hall, abuzz with chatter andughter, before turning and walking away.


    On the drive back, Spencer''s phone rang.


    Spencer was calling to report thetest findings from Falcon. "Mr.


    Sumner, we''ve investigated all the t


    n


    employees who''ve had recent contact with Nyce Tech, but none of them seem connected to the data breach."


    S


    Damon''s face darkened. After a moment of silence, he said, "Focus on the management team next."


    If it wasn''t an employee, then it had to be someone higher up.


    It was inconceivable that no one had leaked Prospectus Technology''s Agihop 6th Gen chip data to Gabriel.


    Nyce Tech''s newlyunched Gxy


    chip bore such


    rese striking


    to the Agihop 6th Gen


    that at left little doubt something was


    amiss.


    The Agihop 6th Gen was nearly ready for release, pending final testing. Yet Gxy had beenunched first. The reason was obvious. Spencer sounded taken aback. "Mr. Sumner... are you suggesting the leak could havee from the management?"


    If true, the implications were dire.


    Apromised insider at that level could jeopardize not just the Agihop 6th Gen but other criticalpany data The mere thought was unsettling.


    "Look into it," Damon ordered.


    "Understood. I''ll get started immediately," Spencer replied.


    The gravity of the situation was clear now. This wasn''t just a data breach-it was something much deeper. Damon didn''t return home that night. Instead, he headed to the office to continue workingte into the night.