The Hidden Heiress Revenge – Betrayal Love and Justice
By Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 18: The Big Design
Part 1: 14 Days later
The fourteen days following the postponed signing ceremony had become a corporate nightmare for Bennett Capital. Marcus Thorne’s carefully crafted CEO image crumbled daily as investors questioned the delay’s implications.
While the Metropolitan underwent its secret transformation, Bennett Capital’s headquarters buzzed with increasingly desperate activity. Marcus had been spotted leaving the office at 3 AM more than once, his Tom Ford suits looking decidedly less pristine.
“Olivia’s father pulled their family investment,” Sarah reported during the morning briefing, her iPad displaying the latest market data. “The Ashworths seem to have… lost confidence.”
“How tragic,” Sophia’s smile held arctic amusement as she reviewed the numbers. “And Marcus’s attempt to secure emergency funding?”
“Three major banks declined yesterday alone,” Sebastian confirmed, his jade cufflinks catching the winter sunlight. “Though he doesn’t yet know why.”
Behind the scenes, Bennett Capital’s proprietary trading algorithms – Sophia’s original work – had begun showing concerning anomalies. Just enough to raise questions, but not enough to prove manipulation.
“He’s scheduled six emergency board meetings in ten days,” Sarah continued with military precision. “The last one ended with two directors resigning.”
“Perfect.” Sophia’s laugh could have frozen champagne. “And our preparations?”
“All two hundred quantum terminals are in place,” Sebastian smiled dangerously. “Hidden behind the Metropolitan’s classical panels, waiting for the real show to begin.”
Part 2: Strategic Synergy
The winter sun painted golden patterns across Winchester Financial’s private boardroom as four of global finance’s most formidable players finalized their alliance.
“The quantum integration protocols,” Lawrence Zhang’s voice held newfound respect as he reviewed the holographic projections, “are far beyond anything I imagined possible.”
“Indeed,” Dr. Kovač agreed, her European sophistication complementing the cutting-edge displays. “The ECB’s stress tests confirm compatibility across all major markets.”
Sophia’s smile held dangerous pride as she watched Sebastian present the final simulation. His jade cufflinks caught the afternoon light as quantum calculations danced across the screens.
“While Marcus wastes time trying to save Bennett Capital,” she purred, “we’ve built something that will revolutionize global finance.”
“The timing is rather… poetic,” her father observed with a smile that matched his daughter’s lethal precision. “He’ll arrive expecting to sign his triumph, only to witness ours instead.”
“Zhang Global’s Asian network,” Sebastian continued smoothly, “combined with Winchester’s quantum platform and the ECB’s European infrastructure…”
“Creates perfect market harmony,” Dr. Kovač finished, her eyes sparkling with appreciation. “Though I suspect Mr. Thorne won’t enjoy this particular symphony.”
“Speaking of enjoyment,” Sophia’s laugh held arctic amusement as she pulled up the final contract draft, “shall we review the alliance terms one last time?”
“Before we finalize the terms,” Sarah’s voice carried professional urgency as she entered with her iPad, “you should see this morning’s security report.”
“Ah,” Sophia’s smile turned predatory as she reviewed the data. “It seems Marcus has been rather… busy lately.”
“Twelve attempted breaches of our servers in the past week alone,” Sebastian confirmed, his aristocratic composure masking cold amusement. “Rather amateur attempts, actually.”
Lawrence Zhang’s perfectly controlled expression hardened as he studied the attack patterns. “Bennett Capital’s digital signature is all over these. Sloppy.”
“Not just Bennett Capital,” Dr. Kovač observed, her European sophistication giving way to dangerous focus. “These patterns suggest collaboration with Cavendish Financial and the Windsor Group.”
“Desperate alliances,” Sophia purred, her fingers tracing the holographic data streams. “Though perhaps not surprising, given their recent… market difficulties.”
“The last attempt was particularly interesting,” Sebastian added smoothly. “They tried to access the Metropolitan’s new installation specs.”
“Did they find anything?” Lawrence’s voice held paternal concern.
“Oh yes,” Sophia’s laugh could have frozen champagne. “Exactly what we wanted them to find. A rather convincing set of standard conference equipment documentation.”
“While our actual quantum network,” Sebastian’s jade cufflinks caught the afternoon light, “remains perfectly hidden behind those classical panels.”
“Speaking of amateur attempts,” Lawrence Zhang’s smile turned dangerously paternal as he studied the attack patterns. “Perhaps a proper… response is in order?”
“Oh?” Sophia’s perfectly manicured fingers paused over the holographic controls.
“Better off darling,” her father’s voice held lethal amusement, “let your niece play a bit with his servers and give her access to our Quantum-Computing-Systems.”
Sebastian’s aristocratic smile widened with appreciation. “Victoria would certainly enjoy that.”
“Fourteen years old and already breaking quantum encryption,” Dr. Kovač observed with European sophistication. “Rather impressive family trait.”
“Mmm.” Sophia’s laugh held arctic warmth. “A supervised educational opportunity? After all, every young lady should have proper… extracurricular activities.”
“Though perhaps,” Sebastian added smoothly, his jade cufflinks catching the afternoon light, “we should warn Marcus’s IT team?”
“Oh no,” Lawrence’s smile matched his daughter’s predatory grace. “Let them discover what happens when a Zhang prodigy decides to… explore their systems.”
Part 3: A new Digital Dynasty
The winter afternoon painted stark shadows across Winchester Financial’s command center as Victoria Zhang’s quantum algorithms danced across multiple holographic displays.
“Oh dear,” Sophia’s smile held arctic amusement as she watched the chaos unfold. “It seems Bennett Capital’s firewall just… evaporated.”
“Quite literally,” Sebastian observed, his jade cufflinks catching the blue glow of quantum calculations. “Your niece has rather impressive timing.”
The fourteen-year-old prodigy’s fingers flew across quantum interfaces with lethal precision, her code weaving through Bennett Capital’s defenses like silk through steel.
“Marcus Thorne’s security is so… basic,” Victoria’s voice carried that particular Zhang blend of disdain and dangerous intelligence. “He’s still using the old algorithms.”
“The ones your aunt designed?” Lawrence Zhang’s pride was evident as he watched his granddaughter work.
“Mmm.” Victoria’s laugh matched her aunt’s perfectly. “Though he never did understand how they actually functioned. Look at these implementation errors…”
Suddenly, multiple alerts flashed across the screens – Bennett Capital’s desperate counterattack.
“How cute,” Victoria purred, sounding eerily like her aunt. “They think throwing more servers at the problem will help.”
“Shall we show them,” Sophia’s smile could have frozen champagne, “what real quantum computing can do?”
“Oh my,” Victoria’s fingers paused over the quantum interface, her expression shifting from amusement to predatory interest. “This is rather fascinating.”
“What have you found, darling?” Sophia moved closer to the holographic displays, her perfect composure masking sudden alertness.
“It seems Uncle Marcus has been keeping secrets,” the teenager’s smile turned dangerously Zhang-like. “Hidden servers, encrypted communications with… interesting parties.”
Sebastian’s aristocratic eyebrow raised as he studied the data streams. “Those IP addresses…”
“Indeed,” Victoria’s laugh held that particular family blend of triumph and lethal precision. “The Windsor Group, Cavendish Financial, and… oh, this is delicious.”
Lawrence Zhang moved forward with sudden intensity. “Show me.”
The quantum displays shifted, revealing layers of concealed transactions and coded messages that painted a far darker picture than simple corporate espionage.
“Well, well,” Sophia’s smile could have frozen hell itself. “It seems Marcus has been playing a much more dangerous game than we suspected.”
“Aunt Sophia,” Victoria’s voice carried that quiet danger that marked all Zhang women, “I believe you’ll want to see who else is involved in these communications.”
The final encryption layer fell away, revealing a name that made even Lawrence Zhang’s perfect composure crack slightly. “How dare they…”
