“Is every random nobody allowed to just waltz into my company and poke around? And you’re telling me there’s nothing you can do? Even if you can’t beat that person, you could at least patch up our firewalls, couldn’t you?
Do you know how much I’ve sunk into this—twenty million dollars! And now you’re telling me it’s all just gone down the drain?”
There was a long pause on the other end. “I’ll wire the twenty million back to your account.”
Israel’s frustration boiled over. “And what good does that do me? Is that money going to bring my company back from the dead?
If you hadn’t tipped me off last time—told me you’d found Stella Corporation’s top-secret files—do you really think my company would be in ruins like this?
Now you want to wash your hands of it? I’m telling you—forget it! That’s not happening!”
After a beat, the voice on the line sounded colder, almost annoyed.
Q replied icily, “Mr. Williams, I’m just a hacker, not a business consultant.
I report everything I find, just as we agreed. As for sorting out what’s real and what’s not, and how you handle it—that’s on you. You can’t pin all your problems on me.”
Q paused, then added, “If your company collapsed overnight, it only means there were cracks in your system long before now. Months ago, in fact. Do you think I don’t understand how business works, Mr. Williams?”
Israel gripped his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. Fury burned in his chest, but he couldn't find a single word to say.
Then Q’s tone shifted slightly. “Of course, I admit I was outmatched this time—I didn’t spot the trap until it was too late.
If possible, I’ll do what I can to help patch up your security net and keep tracking the attacker’s trail.
I can’t promise results, but I’ll give it my best shot.”
At this point, Q was Israel’s last hope—his final lifeline.
Israel’s tone finally softened. “I’m sorry. I lost my head earlier. I was desperate.”
“That’s understandable, Mr. Williams,” Q replied calmly. “I’ll be in touch if I find anything.”
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