?


    N quicklyforted Mason. "I''m sorry, sweetheart. Mommy''ste."


    She hugged and consoled him for a long while before he finally calmed down, though his little body still trembled with asional sobs, his cheeks streaked with tears.


    N gently wiped his tears away, her voice soft. "No more crying now, okay? Mommy''s taking you home."


    Mason sniffled. "Okay."


    When N stood up, she noticed Gabriel still lingering nearby and frowned. "Why are you still here?"


    Gabriel ignored her question. He crouched down and looked directly at Mason. "Buddy, tell me how did you get out of the office?"


    The security systems at Nyce Tech had always been wless, yet right after locking Mason in his office, everything had gone haywire.


    It seemed impossible, but Gabriel couldn''t shake the suspicion that somehow Mason was involved. Mason''s eyes mirrored his mother''s disdain. "Why should I tell you? You''re a bad man! I hate you!" If it hadn''t been for this man, he would have been home, enjoying dinner and ying with his blocks. Gabriel frowned, his expression darkening.


    N pulled Mason behind her protectively and red at Gabriel. "Gabriel, I''m letting it go this time because Buddy''s unharmed. But if there''s a next time, I won''t let you off the hook!"


    Her words didn''t faze Gabriel. "N, Prospectus Technology has gone bankrupt. Staying with Damon will only lead to hardship for you and Buddy. Come with me instead-I promise to treat Buddy as my own."


    "I''d rather endure hardship with Damon than stay with someone like you-someone so twisted, who uses such despicable tactics to get his way!" N retorted.


    Her revulsion was unmistakable, her gaze one of utter contempt, as though looking at something vile.


    A pang shot through Gabriel''s chest, his hands balling into fists at his sides.


    "N, you''ll willinglye to me one day," he said through gritted teeth.


    "In your dreams! That day will nevere!" N retorted.


    Gabriel took a deep breath, said nothing more, and turned to leave the elevator.


    N quickly pressed the button for


    the first


    N oor. As the elevator descended smoothly, she turnel


    Mason. "Buddy, are you


    to


    Mason nodded. "I''m okay, Mommy. Just a little hungry."


    "Alright, we''ll eat dinner as soon as we''re home," N replied.


    "Okay!" Mason agreed.


    The elevator soon reached the first floor.


    N and Mason got into the car and quickly drove away.


    Gabriel stood in his office on the top floor, surveying the wreckage as his expression darkened.


    Behind him, his secretary hesitantly broke the silence. "Mr. Hackett... this was all caused by Ms. Kinsey''s son..."


    "Shut up!" Gabriel snapped.


    Did he really need to be told? He already knew exactly who was responsible.


    "Clean this ce up within half an hour. Also, notify everyone in the IT department-mandatory meeting now!" he ordered.


    Ten minutester, Gabriel sat in the conference room, his fury palpable.


    "It''s been over 30 minutes since I was notified of the system crash Yet none of you have figured out what caused it. Why am I paying you so much every month? To siDaround uselessly?" he demanded.


    The IT department manager


    swallowed hard before speaking et


    cautiously. "Mr. Hackett, we''re still investigating. We''re confident we''ll identify the issue soon."


    Gabriel let out a coldugh. "Soon? How soon? Half a day? A week? A month? Do you even have the faintest lead?"