Chapter 24: Embedded Players
“Has Chase been sleeping at home again lately? I haven’t seen you heading to the hospital these past few days,” Sam asked casually.
Wendy nodded. “Yeah. He’s been coming straight home after work. He’s still reluctant about cooking, but it’s better than before.”
“Told you,” Sam said. “Chase does have feelings for you. Actually, his feelings for you run deep. These past five years, it’s been you draining that relationship.”
Wendy glanced at her phone. There hadn’t been any recent texts between her and Chase. Even when she did send one, he would respond with just a few words. But she found that strangely amusing.
On the other hand, there was Henry. Apparently, Joy had used Henry’s phone to message her, calling her “Mommy” and asking why her pretty mommy hadn’t come to visit. There was even a voice message attached. Wendy tapped on it hesitantly. In that sweet, childish voice, Joy called out for “Mommy.”
Sam immediately frowned. Wendy didn’t respond. She just turned the screen off.
“I’ve got Finn stationed with Henry now. Didn’t you suspect the Harrison family of stealing most of our overseas contracts over the past few years?”
In the dim light of the car, Wendy slowly curved her lips into a smile. That’s right. How could the CEO of Quinn Group possibly be some lovesick idiot? Even if she had loved Henry five years ago, it had never been blind, unreserved love.
Back when she dated Henry, her mother didn’t approve of him. But out of respect for Wendy, she didn’t outright go after the Harrison family either. That bit of goodwill gave them room to move under the Quinn name. They took full advantage of it—bold enough to act like her mother had already accepted Henry as a son-in-law—and used Quinn’s reputation to pull a lot of strings abroad.
After Wendy took over as CEO, she hadn’t just been reminiscing about her first love—she had noticed how the Harrison family had been using Henry’s marriage abroad to extend their reach. Then Henry got divorced and came back home. And the woman he had married? Soon after his return, her company announced bankruptcy. It was bought out by an obscure, unknown group. There was no way that was a coincidence.
Chapter 24: Embedded Players
“Finn wasn’t thrilled to be used the moment she landed. She already complained that Joy is a handful, throwing tantrums every day. She said you better figure out a damn good way to make it up to her.”
Wendy laughed and nodded. “She came back to look for a man, didn’t she? I’ll find him for her. But if even top-tier hackers haven’t been able to track the guy down, all I can do is try.”
Wendy’s connection with Finn went back four years. Back then, Quinn Group had just launched its IT department. They were recruiting the top tech talents from around the world. Wendy, already well-versed in the field, took an active hand in the process. While the rest of the team cast a wide net, there was one person she specifically hunted down: Dr. Yardle. A legend in the industry. Unmatched. And according to the intel Wendy had, Dr. Yardle was a woman. That’s how her first encounter with Finn happened. They’d battled it out online. Then agreed to meet at Quinn Group HQ. That was Finn’s first time seeing Wendy—the famed business prodigy, the iconic boss-lady of her generation.
Finn stood in the lobby for a moment. The receptionist stared at her like she was some homewrecker caught by the wife. Finn hesitated, then turned and left.
“I’d suggest you at least let Madam Wendy know I dropped by.” That was her only parting comment. She was already halfway out the door. The heat outside was oppressive. Finn clenched the tiny white porcelain vial in her hand—then relaxed her grip, as if afraid of hurting the fragile remains of someone who could never return. She lowered her gaze to the gleaming marble floor. At that moment, her phone buzzed with two soft chimes.
“Tracking disabled.”
Finn raised an eyebrow. She pulled out her phone, launched her anti-tracking script, and within five seconds had the origin IP location. With a meaningful glance back toward the building, she smirked.
“Well, well,” she murmured. “Pretty quick.”
Chapter 24: Embedded Players
Back inside, the receptionist scoffed and muttered, “Like I’d tell Marlan Wendy you…” She spun around and immediately called the aura office…
By the time Wendy and Sam came down, the front desk call was still ongoing. Wendy didn’t enjoy swooping on her employees’ personal calls—but answering a private call while working the front desk? Unprofessional. She walked up and knocked hard on the counter with her knuckle. The receptionist looked up and nearly jumped when she realized who it was: “Ms. Wendy!”
Sam stepped forward. Who was at the front desk just now? The receptionist panicked and stammered, “No one! No visitors today. Nobody came to see Madam Wendy!”
Wendy narrowed her eyes slightly. Better yet, Sam was already on her phone, tracking the signal. The person had been there just moments ago. They were will-o'-the-wisps—strong, but fleeting.
Sam tapped Wendy’s shoulder and leaned in. “Didn’t go far. Right across the way?”
Just as they turned to leave, Wendy’s voice drily cut back, “Personal calls on work time? That’s twenty points off your performance score.” Finn gently set down the porcelain vial and kept one hand on her phone. The trace signal was disappearing, bit by bit. She calmly cleared her throat again.