Chapter 205
Todd and Ivan stepped into the corridor outside the room.
Owen, in between bites, asked curiously, "What does Todd want to talk to Dad about?" He wasn't too keen on having serious talks with his dad.
Haley was curious too, but everyone deserves a little privacy, and she wasn't one to pry.
She offered a reassuring smile, "Your dad is quite the impressive man. Maybe Todd just wants to make a mentor of him."
Owen's curiosity lingered only for a moment before he tossed the thought aside. He was happier staying with Haley and Angela. It was best if Dad didn't come in!
Meanwhile, Ivan, unaware of his son's reluctance, asked, "What's on your mind?"
Todd, with genuine inquisitiveness, said, "I've taken an interest in programming lately. I'm wondering if you have any insights, Mr. Winston." He even pulled out a beginner’s guide to programming from his backpack, eager to learn.
It did not surprise Ivan. Geeks frequently switch interests quickly, learning the fundamentals of each in around three months. He thought back to Todd's recent delving into logic, which had probably reached a terrifyingly high degree of self-taughtness. And now a change of direction to another area.
But programming was a complex and vast knowledge system, perhaps too intricate for a four-year-old to fully grasp.
Ivan, pondering for a moment, replied, "I'm reasonably well-versed in programming. What would you like to know?"
Todd asked, "What software do you prefer for scripting, Mr. Winston?"
"Either Python or Java works. It really depends on what your goals are with programming. I can recommend some books and videos for you to start with."
Todd's fingers tightened, and he lowered his eyelids, his lips pursing as he confessed, "I want to become a hacker."
"A hacker, huh?" Ivan's eyebrows raised slightly. "What's your motivation?"
Todd hesitated, "I'd rather keep that to myself. Could you just point me to some resources?"
Ivan's expression grew more serious. He knew that yearning all too well. Keith, at about three years old, had also harbored dreams of becoming a hacker. Though he'd suppressed these aspirations, Keith still occasionally reached out to clandestine figures in the hacking world.
The path to the peak of hacking was fraught with divergences, where it's all too easy to stray. After all, the vast majority of hackers end up on the wrong side of the law, something a four-year-old couldn't possibly discern.
Ivan was tempted to offer advice but he reconsidered, keeping his thoughts to himself. If even Keith, his son, would not heed his words, why would another's child listen?
Geniuses have their stubborn streaks that can't simply be swayed by a word or two. He'd just have to ask more questions and guide the youngster when he could.
Besides, Ivan mused, the kid might lose interest after a while and move on to something else...
With a measured tone, Ivan instructed, "Hackers usually have a strong command of the Linux operating system. Once you've learned to navigate that, I can teach you more advanced concepts."
A chill crossed Todd's downcast face. It seemed Ivan possessed certain hacking skills. The person who targeted his mother's company that night could very well be him! Yet, he was the prominent head of the Winston Group; did he really need to target a company that was just a month old?
Todd relaxed his grip and looked up, saying, "Actually, I want to become a hacker to protect my mom's company. You know about my mom starting her own business, don't you, Mr. Winston?"
"Yes, I'm aware of it. We've had some dealings," replied Ivan with a nod, his response betraying no emotion.
Todd added quickly, "I'm not talking about the DeRoss Group."
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