CHAPTER 140

The aftermath of the attack on the data center left the team in a state of guarded triumph. They had saved the data, but the strike was a reminder of Lane’s desperation and his willingness to go to extreme lengths to protect his empire. Phillip stood in the middle of the operations room, the glow of the monitors casting a harsh light on his tense features as he assessed the situation. His team was battered but not broken, and for the first time in a while, they had a clear advantage.

Jessica walked in, her gear still on, her face flushed from the battle. She met Phillip's gaze, a weary smile spreading across her lips. "We held the line," she said, more for herself than for him, as if needing the confirmation that they were still in control.

Phillip nodded, a hint of relief breaking through his hardened expression. "You did well out there," he said, his voice low and steady. "We wouldn’t have secured the data without you."

Jessica shrugged off the praise with a tired smile. "It was a t