Chapter 492 Mr. Abbott Chickened Out
Sam's eyes went wide, and he blurted out, "Yo, where's this IP from?"
Aaron peeked at the address, then spun the screen around to show Sam. "The research institute," he said.
When Aaron first saw the decoded IP, he was floored. He never thought the little hacker's IP would trace back to the research institute.
Wasn't that the place he followed Susanna to earlier? And wasn't that place run by Michael?
Sam's jaw dropped. "No way! The IP's from that research institute? Didn't you say the other twin's getting treatment there too? Could the little hacker be..."
Maybe this young hacker was the other twin.
Aaron's heart started racing. He quickly checked the other computer, still stuck on the last message Sam had sent.
But there was no reply.
Aaron's fingers shook a bit. If Sam was right, was the little hacker the other twin?
Did he really find the kid that easily?
Aaron remembered what the little hacker had said. No wonder he thought the hacker was young. If the hacker was the other twin, it all made sense.
Sam, looking all nervous, said, "Aaron, that little hacker's gotta be the other twin. He's got it out for you, trying to boot you out of Philly. If it's not him, who else?"
The secretary chimed in, "Even if it's not, it's gotta be someone they know, maybe a helper?"
Aaron nodded. "Yeah, I think that's possible. There was more than one hacker earlier."
Sam glanced at the secretary. "It can't be a coincidence the IP's at the research institute. That kid's reaching out to you, Aaron."
Sam quickly suggested, "Aaron, why don't you keep chatting with them? Build a relationship. They know about you and came to you. This is a golden chance."
Aaron felt a bit shaky. "But that kid doesn't like me."
The kid had just told him to leave Philly ASAP.
A hint of bitterness flashed in Aaron's eyes. Maybe Susanna was right; the other twin really didn't like him.
Susanna didn't lie.
"Aaron, how can you say he doesn't like you? If he didn't, why would he mess with your computer? This is the second time. He's trying to get your attention. Kids do that, don't sweat it."
Aaron looked troubled. "I'm really not confident right now."
He worried that pushing too hard might scare the kid away.
The secretary spoke up, "Mr. Abbott, Mr. Ross is right. Kids need to be coaxed. They don't hold grudges forever."
"Yeah, Aaron, I'm not saying reveal his identity right away. Just act like you don't know and chat like friends."
"But I have no experience chatting with kids."
"Then don't treat them like a kid. Just treat them as a hacker and stay chill."
Aaron gave a wry smile. Any other time, he might be able to stay calm. But now that he knew who the kid was, he couldn't keep his cool.
Just a few hours ago, Susanna dropped the bomb that he had not one, but two kids.
He'd never met the other kid and had no clue what they were like, but he sure didn't expect the kid to come knocking this fast.
Totally blindsided.
"Don't sweat it. You gave him your bone marrow. You're his dad. You'll meet eventually. Might as well figure out how to talk to him now."
Aaron rubbed his temples, feeling the stress. "I don't know how to talk to kids."
This felt tougher than handling billion-dollar deals.
With work, he knew the drill. But trying to connect with the kid on the other side of the screen? He was lost.
He was scared of making things worse.
Maybe it was guilt, or maybe he never thought he'd have two kids related to him by blood. This was all new territory.
"Aaron, how did you get along with Lillian before? Just do the same."
Aaron shook his head. "No, this kid's nothing like Lillian."
Lillian always had a big smile for everyone, even for Aaron, who had once bailed on her.
Thinking of Lillian's smile always melted his heart.
Aaron finally got the nerve to type: [You still there?]
But no reply.
"Aaron, did the hacker figure out you cracked his IP and ghost you?"
"Shouldn't be. I used a different system. They shouldn't have tracked it."
They just sat there, staring at the screen, looking like people waiting for a text from a crush.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Charles closed his laptop and looked at Susanna, who had just walked in, looking a bit caught off guard. "Mom, why didn't you knock?"
"I did, but you didn't hear. What were you doing? So focused you missed it."
Susanna saw the laptop in Charles's arms and paused. "Were you playing with your friends?"
Charles nodded, feeling guilty. "Yeah, you got it."
"Those friends are just online, right? Got any real-life friends?"
"I don't need real-life friends. Doesn't matter to me."
Susanna said gently, "Once your health's better, wanna go to kindergarten with Lillian?"
"I don't wanna go to that kiddie place. It's full of noisy brats."
Susanna patted his head. "You're just a four-year-old kid too."
"I'm different. They're too dumb."
"But Lillian already told her teacher and classmates you'd go. If you don't, they'll think she's lying. They've never seen her brother."
Charles hesitated, then reluctantly said, "Fine, I'll go to school."
Susanna knew he'd agree. Despite always calling Lillian dumb, it was clear he adored her.
"Alright, get some rest. I won't bug you. Once I sort out the school stuff, I'll let you know."
Charles sighed in relief and waved. "Goodnight, Mom."
After Susanna left, Charles opened the laptop again and saw two messages on the screen.
Charles quickly replied, [Scared, aren't you?]
