Her Corporate Takedown: Entangled with a Billionaire

*CHAPTER 55: RETURN OF THE EMBLEM*

I quickly walked behind the sofa where I was initially standing to see what sparked the sudden changes in their expressions. Jeremy's program had finished running and was now undergoing a final scan for usability and compatibility. However, the black box on which that scan was being performed was placed to the side while another large black box was running Bryan's new program.

Even I could see the difference between how smoothly the programs ran, as Bryan's program ran much faster than Jeremy's program.

"Superb work, Bryan!" Mr. Lango exclaimed once Bryan's program completed its run-through. Even though it was more robust, Bryan's program completed a clean run-through in less than two minutes. The final scan on Bryan's program was also cleared in a flash with all green checkmarks and Mr. Lango was vividly pleased with the updates on Bryan's new program.

All that was left was to check the final scan on Jeremy's program. Even if Jeremy's program was cleared with all-green checkmarks, the difference between the two programs was already apparent. The decision, however, ultimately rests with Mr. Lango.

The final scan on Jeremy's program seemed to be going smoothly at first, then a few red flags appeared as it went through the long list. Then, several more red checkmarks showed up on the scan.

Looking to my right, I could almost taste Jeremy's bitter expression at which Mr. Lango raised an eyebrow from the corner of his eye. Jeremy forgot his usual poise and didn't notice Mr. Lango was observing his expressions. Even if things didn't go as planned, it was important to remain calm and not show it on your face. I could see small lessons from my acting classes playing out here.

I wasn't sure the reason for Jeremy's apprehension but the red flags were definitely not a good sign.

In two minutes, the second program had completed its scan. The secretary repositioned his glasses as he turned to look at Mr. Lango, who was no longer smiling as he leaned back in the couch and crossed one ankle over the other knee.

"How does it look Kiran?" Mr. Lango asked his secretary.

"Not good, sir. Analysis of the program shows several areas of concern."

"Is there anything that would deter us from using the program in the first place?"

"The major issue is that traces of the program have a positive cross-reference with the database of another company's programs."

"What does that mean?" Jeremy asked, surprised and confused. Meanwhile, I could see a flicker of a devious smile on Bryan's face as he watched Jeremy's plan go up in flames.

"What I'm saying is," Kiran continued, "parts of the program that you have used are found in proprietary software from another company."

"So, he used another company's program in software he wanted to sell to me. Is that right, Jeremy?"

"B-but that can't be!" Jeremey stuttered in shock.

"And why is that?" Bryan asked facetiously while glancing behind him.

I could almost hear the grinding of Jeremy's teeth as he thought hard about an excuse which did not exist. I made sure to look just as confused so that Jeremy did not suspect that I was a double agent. I couldn't let up on my role until the very end; hopefully it ends today.

Kiran logged into another program on the laptop in the black box that had run Jeremy's program. After the program finished loading, it listed a positive crossmatch with software called Brix, from Athren, another cyber security firm.

"Isn't Athren one of our competitors?" Krystin asked.

"What exactly were you thinking, using a competitor's software and passing it off as Bolster's?" Bryan then asked sternly.

"Mr. Lango, there has to be some kind of mistake. This is exclusively Bolster's program."

"Kiran, he's saying that our premium program has made a mistake for the first time in the ten years we've been using it."

"Sir, why don't we contact them?" Kiran replied while chuckling.

"Please do," he replied.

Kiran called the secretary for Athren's CTO. He confirmed whether the company had a program called Brix as well as how long they have been using it. He then reported back to us with the information he was told.

"Sir, he confirmed that Athren's does use Brix. It had been in development for the past year, but they had hit a roadblock around seven months into the year. They then acquired a part of the old Bolst program from Bolster, which helped them to upgrade the software. Brix has now been in official use for the past month after one month of beta testing, but the purchase won't be officially announced until their quarterly meeting next month. That must be the reason there was a positive crossmatch and Jeremy didn't know about the sale."

"So, Jeremy's program contained some of the old Bolst program? I thought that was your personal program, Bryan?" Mr. Lango asked.

"I thought so too," Bryan replied, chuckling.

Meanwhile, I continued to stand by like a blob, looking clueless.

"Did you disseminate it to your team?" Mr. Lango asked again.

"Of course not. I only use that program for my most exceptional clients. I would never risk it getting into the wrong hands."

"Well, that's old news now, isn't it, since it was sold and all. I never thought you could create better software than Bolst, but you continue to prove me wrong. What's the name of this baby?"

"I hadn't thought of a name yet."

"Why don't we let this pretty flower give him a name?" Mr. Lango said as he turned to look at me while smiling inappropriately.

"Sure, can you give my new baby a name please?" Bryan asked. From the corner of my left eye, I saw Krystin's eyebrow twitching at his not-so subtle innuendo.

"What do you think about Bolstu?"

"Bolstu it is," Bryan replied, smiling.

"Interesting name. I like it," Mr. Lango replied.

'Really? They like it?'

"I think that settles it. There's no way I can use Jeremy's program now that its secrets are out in the open. I won't even ask how he got any information on your program. I'll let you deal with internal company matters."

Mr. Lango stood up laughing and Bryan stood after him to shake hands on the final agreement.

"I'm sorry, son," Mr. Lango told Jeremy, "Bolst is indeed a superior program and that was part of the reason your program performed well, but you should have done your research before presenting it to me."

Jeremy could not hide his embarrassment. He showed a remorseful look on his face as Mr. Lango scolded him.

"I wished I could've competed with an original software from one of my top programmers," Bryan said as he exited the room after Krystin.

Jeremy stood in the same place, unable to process the outcome of this match. He had lost before he even knew what happened. I stood beside him, waiting for him to leave like a good subordinate. One tap on his shoulder was enough to summon him back to reality as he looked up at Kiran, who was showing him to the door.

I followed Jeremy as he left the office and Kiran escorted us downstairs. Since it was Thursday, I didn't need to return to Bolster. I would have loved some 'me time' now, but I was already summoned to the safehouse.

Dejectedly, I excused myself for the day after offering my condolences for Jeremy's loss. Even as I drove off, he still had not gotten inside his car. He didn't seem to be in a state where he should be left alone, but my role was now officially over. I had no reason to stay, especially since my work hours had passed. Shouldn't I request overtime pay for these work-related events that I attend after hours? I'll definitely be bringing that up later.

When I arrived at the safehouse, Bryan and Krystin were no more, and Andrei and Ari were loitering about the kitchen having snacks. As soon as I walked in, Andrei popped open a bottle and poured champagne for all of us to celebrate today's win.

As far as I saw it, my job was just to keep Jeremy confused; Bryan had won long before today and would have won just as easily without my help. However, it was nice to have played a part in the whole scheme, so I celebrated happily as though I was the one that made the whole deal happen today.

We soon carried the party downstairs to the lair of excessive technology where I had been assigned my own basement computer. That made me really feel like I was becoming part of the team as I worked on Paradox and Audix for the past week.

No sooner did we begin part two of the celebration when Andrei cut it short with a serious expression as he cleared his throat.

"I just want to say you did an excellent job, Leiya."

I was quite flattered by such an honest comment. Then he handed me an envelope.

Inside the envelope was a cheque for twice the monthly amount I got paid at Bolster. I couldn't believe my eyes. I stuttered as I tried to ask for clarification of the ghastly amount written on the cheque.

"Remember, you are also employed by the Klehr family. That is the pay for the job you did for the Klehr family."

"Oh, wow. Thank you."

Clearly, that sales job at Bolster was a waste of time. I had better drop that and work for the Klehr family full time.

While I revelled in the next weekend's shopping spree in my imagination, Andrei slowly revealed another thick, black envelope.

'What is that now?'

Just as I had that thought, I noticed something familiar on the envelope. The seal on the envelope that was facing me was definitely something I recognized but I couldn't put my finger on it immediately. I squinted as I walked closer and looked at it more closely. Andrei's expression most certainly hinted that I should run away from whatever he was going to say about this envelope.

Then, it suddenly clicked. It's no wonder I forgot about it since I had sealed away those memories of the most traumatic engagement party I had ever attended.

One more look at the seal triggered my memory. It had the same emblem as that on the ring that Andrei made me wear to the party. The one that represented the Shakovia family's insignia.

Why the heck does he have a huge envelope from the Shakovia family?

Did Michelle give it to him at the party?!