Chapter 166 Harper Plants a Virus on Ethan's Computer
"Mr. Ethan, what are you looking for?" Jasmine saw that Ethan was searching for something and walked over to ask.
"Nothing," Ethan muttered under his breath as he hastily stashed the photograph into the safe, clearing his throat. "Could you head to the finance department and get the last quarter's reports for me?"
Jasmine nodded blankly and left the office.
Once Jasmine had left, Ethan exhaled a sigh of relief. He had never felt so guilty in his life...
The resemblance between Justin and his younger self was uncanny.
Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Ethan stood up and walked out of his office.
"Liam, keep an eye on Jasmine. If she goes to the restroom, I want you waiting outside, and keep Daniel away from her," Ethan instructed, pointing a finger at Liam. "Bring your head in the game."
Scratching his head, Liam asked, "Where are you off to? Shouldn't I be driving you?"
"I'm driving myself. If Jasmine asks, tell her I had to deal with a last-minute contract. I'll pick up Justin on my way back, and make sure you drive her home after work," Ethan rushed through his instructions and hurried off.
Liam snorted. He had practically become Jasmine's shadow, prompting him to question whose assistant he truly was.
But he didn't mind. It was better than getting a tongue-lashing from Ethan. He had been getting chewed out by Ethan since childhood, and now here he was, still on the receiving end. Life could be so darn tough...
"Liam," called a voice from outside the door. Harper stood there, her eyes reddened, calling him in a gentle, frail voice.
Liam swiftly stood up, regarding Harper with a look of concern. "Harper, are you here to see Mr. Ethan?"
"No, I came to see Jasmine," she said softly.
Liam glanced around. "I'm sorry, Jasmine might be tied up with work. Maybe... wait a bit?"
"I'll wait in Ethan's office," Harper said as she made her way into the office.
Liam followed, bound by his duty to not leave Harper alone in the office as one can never be too safe...
"Liam, I'll be just fine waiting here for a little while," Harper said with a weak smile, her face a shade paler. "Could you get me a glass of water, please?"
He nodded and stepped out to fetch Harper her water.
As soon as Liam left, Harper hastily stood up, her fingers gripping nervously as she rushed to Ethan's computer and inserted a USB drive. This USB contained a virus designed to infiltrate Ethan's computer, enabling hackers to easily breach its defenses and extract valuable information.
Hearing Liam's footsteps, Harper quickly unplugged the USB drive, rushed back to her seat, and sat down, her hands clenched with palpable anxiety.
"Here's your water, Harper," Liam said, handing her a bottle.
Harper's face was pale as she muttered a thank you and absentmindedly sipped the water.
When Jasmine returned, Liam and Harper were in the office, but Ethan was nowhere to be seen.
"Mr. Ethan stepped out for a bit, and Harper was looking for you," Liam explained, standing off to the side with no intention of leaving. He felt that it was his duty to watch over Jasmine.
Harper was about to say something but glanced at Liam and felt a wave of embarrassment. "Liam, could you give me and Jasmine a moment alone?"
Liam's mind raced, trying to come up with an excuse to stay.
"Liam, it's okay. I, too, want to talk to Harper," Jasmine said proactively. She was curious to see what Harper had to discuss.
With no other option, Liam reluctantly left the office and eavesdropped from outside the door.
"What did you want to talk about, Harper?" Jasmine inquired.
"Tomorrow, my family is holding a press conference to publicly acknowledge all the wrongdoings Yunxiu has committed in the past," Harper said, eyes reddening as she got up, walked over, and took Jasmine's hand. "Jasmine, I really want to be friends with you. I'm sorry... I want to apologize on behalf of Yunxiu."
Jasmine instinctively stepped back, uncomfortable with such proximity.
"Jasmine, we're friends, right? If you ever have any problems, just confide in me. I don't have many close friends, and you... you're my closest one..." Harper whispered gently. "Promise?"
Jasmine's fingers tensed, wanting to say that it wasn't okay.
"Jasmine, don't worry. At tomorrow's press conference, we will only admit Yunxiu's mistakes and won't mention you. We won't expose you to the public again," Harper reassured, preemptively voicing Ethan's intentions. This way, when the press release came out the next day, Jasmine wouldn't attribute it to Ethan's considerate planning.
Jasmine remained silent, considering the questionable validity of delayed justice, yet acknowledging that late action was always better than never.
"Jasmine, the family has decided to send Yunxiu abroad, and it will be difficult for her to return to Silverlight City," Harper said as she approached Jasmine again. "Jasmine, I hope you can be my sister. Here in Silverlight City, I will protect you."
Jasmine still didn't speak, finding Harper's gestures insincere. In fact, the Brown family, all of them, seemed insincere.
"Once I'm part of the Douglas Family, I'm going to take good care of you and Justin alongside Ethan. You know, Ethan might seem aloof, but he's actually very sentimental. Sure, there's been a bit of a misunderstanding between us, but he really does care about me, and I'm fully aware of that," Harper murmured softly, her shy smile indicating the tenderness of the moment. "Soon, we'll all be one family."
"I have a family," Jasmine said, shaking her head.
Harper chuckled. "Don’t be embarrassed, Jasmine. It's settled then. You work hard, and how about I take you shopping tomorrow? You're not off work, are you?"
"No day off." Jasmine shook her head again.
"Wow... Ethan sure drives his employees hard. Well, I'll ask for a day off for you. Wait for the good news," Harper said cheerfully, then left with a light heart.
Jasmine stood still and slowly unclenched her tight fists.
Harper always addressed her as if she were already the lady of the Douglas Family, which made Jasmine feel uncomfortable. However, she knew there was nothing she could do about it.
The Brown Family had already compromised as much as they could afford to. If Ethan continued to be at loggerheads with Howard, refusing the alliance... then the Gu family might really find themselves in a tricky situation.
...
Downstairs, at the company.
Harper, having just got into her car, took a call from Daniel. "I've done what you asked me to do. I told you that I'd only help you this one time."
"Then, thanks a lot, sis-in-law," Daniel replied, his voice light with amusement.
He had tasked Harper with placing a virus-laden USB drive into Ethan’s computer so that their hacker could breach Ethan’s cybersecurity in record time.
"If this gets out, I want Ethan to suspect Jasmine first," Harper said with a hint of devious intent.
"Of course," Daniel assured her with a chuckle. "Everything is already in place."
Harper snorted and hung up the phone. By helping Daniel this time, Ethan's position at Stellar Enterprises was now hanging by a thread.
Ethan was a smart man. With Daniel gaining power, he would have to figure out ways to secure his own standing. At this point, accepting Howard’s offer and uniting with Harper would be his best bet.
Otherwise... given Howard's temperament, Ethan would stand to lose much more.
She, Harper, intended to show Ethan that her value extended far beyond what he was aware of.
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