The atmosphere at Nova Tech was always exciting. In a big meeting room, a group of skilled programmers looked at a large screen and talked about the newest updates for their main app.

  David sat at the head of the table and listened closely as the team shared their updates. He followed each point clearly and asked many thoughtful questions that showed his natural curiosity.

  'I can't agree with everything,' David thought.

  To David’s left were Chloe and Lena, watching closely. Chloe wore her usual neat suit and took notes on her tablet. Lena leaned back in her chair, looking at the screen and then at the team.

  Steven was part of the team and worked as one of Nova Tech’s top programmers. He was trusted by his colleagues for delivering high-quality solutions.

  Because of this, he had access to the entire app development process, including the source code, deployment systems, and security protocols. This access was only given to a few people and showed the trust that David and the leadership team placed in him.

  But Steven was not who he seemed to be.

  He sat in the middle of the table with his laptop open and connected to the network. He looked focused, often sharing useful feedback or asking questions to clarify points. His colleagues respected his knowledge and often relied on him for complex topics.

  However, beneath his calm demeanor, Steven was following a hidden agenda.

  He had software on his laptop that looked like a tool for debugging. This software secretly captured every piece of data on the shared screen. It saved screenshots, code snippets, and diagrams, encrypting them and uploading them to a hidden part of his external drive.

  He placed his phone on the table to record audio discreetly. With a quick tap on the side button, he also started recording video from the front camera, capturing the main slides from the meeting.

  Steven's position gave him good reasons for his actions. When he needed access to sensitive files or copies of materials, he said it was to “review and optimize” the app. His reputation as a careful worker meant that no one questioned his requests for backups or raw code exports.

  David gestured toward the main screen, where the lead programmer showcased the app’s latest feature. The new functionality had been under wraps for the past week and was designed to set Nova Tech apart in a competitive market. The team was proud of the progress, and the room buzzed with excitement.

  Steven nodded thoughtfully as the presenter elaborated on the code architecture. “That’s a clean implementation,” he said, his tone casual. “Could you send me a copy of the repository later? I’d like to look through it and see if we can streamline some of the API calls.”

  The presenter smiled, clearly eager for Steven’s input. “Sure thing, Steven. I’ll send it over after the meeting.”

  “Appreciate it,” Steven replied, his smile hiding his true intent. The repository would provide him with everything he needed—source code, internal documentation, and development logs.

  Meanwhile, his laptop captured every detail of the presentation. The disguised software logged the data in real-time, compressing the files into a secure folder that would later be transferred to an external server. The tools he used were subtle, designed to avoid detection by the company’s monitoring systems.

  What made Steven’s operation so effective was his ability to blend in. His colleagues saw him as a trusted expert, and his behaviors—recording presentations, asking for detailed data, and keeping backups—were all seen as part of his thorough work ethic.

  Even Chloe, with her keen intuition, saw no reason to doubt him. She glanced at Steven once during the meeting, noting his attentiveness and professional demeanor, before returning her focus to the screen.

  Lena, equally sharp, seemed more interested in the technical discussion than in the people around her. Steven had ensured his actions were subtle enough to escape even her scrutiny.

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  As the meeting wrapped up, David stood, his tone light. “Good work today, everyone. Let’s keep the momentum going. Steven, I’ll rely on you to ensure the next deployment is seamless.”

  Steven smiled, nodding. “Of course. I’ll review everything and get back to you with any adjustments.”

  The team dispersed, and Steven gathered his things, making sure his external drive was securely tucked into his bag. His phone, now set to encrypt the recordings, vibrated softly as it finished syncing the data.

  Walking toward his desk, Steven’s thoughts raced. The competitors he was working for would pay a fortune for what he’d gathered today. The app’s innovative architecture, proprietary algorithms, and detailed development plans were a goldmine of intellectual property.

  But for now, Steven remained calm and composed. To his colleagues, he was just another diligent programmer committed to Nova Tech’s success.

  ***

  David sat in his office, looking at the reports on his desk and the view outside his window. The city below was full of life, but the silence in the office made him miss some familiar faces.

  Jordan was in the hospital, still comatose. Though he was “just a manager,” Jordan had a unique way of handling situations with calm efficiency. He had been someone David could count on to keep things running smoothly, no matter how hectic things became.

  Jessica, Ethan’s assistant, was another key part of the team. She had a knack for organizing the chaos that often surrounded Ethan’s ambitious projects. David couldn’t help but think about how much easier his workload would be if Jessica were around. If she were here, at least there’d be someone to share the burden with during Ethan’s absence.

  But Ethan had said this was a “personal project,” and David respected his privacy. He trusted Ethan, even if the young CEO had a tendency to dive headfirst into challenges without much explanation.

  Even though David had a lot to do, he was still smiling. After all, challenges are a normal part of doing business.

  His wife, Anne, often teased him about how much he liked his job. She’d joke every morning, “Don’t let Nova Tech steal you away from me,” followed by a playful smirk.

  She wasn’t wrong, though. David truly loved what he did. Even now, with everything happening around him, he felt a clear purpose. This company was not just a job; it was an adventure. It challenged him to think creatively, solve problems, and create something important.

  David was still deep in thought when a knock on the door brought him back. He sat up straight and cleared his throat, saying, “Come in.”

  The door opened, and to his surprise, Jessica walked in. She looked a bit tired but still maintained her professional presence despite the challenges she faced.

  “Jessica,” David said warmly, smiling as he saw her. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be taking more time to rest.”

  Jessica offered a small smile in return. “It’s harder to stay at the hotel,” she admitted. “Being there just makes me think of my father more.”

  David’s expression softened, and he nodded in understanding. “I see. And what about your mother? How’s Julie holding up?”

  Jessica sighed softly. “Ethan’s mother is with Mom. That really helps. My twin brothers didn’t have as many memories with Dad, so they are coping better. Ethan’s younger siblings keep them busy and distracted.”

  David sat back in his chair and tapped a pen on his desk. “It sounds like Ethan’s family is really supportive. I’m glad to hear that.”

  Jessica nodded, her smile growing a little warmer. “They’ve been amazing.”

  After a brief pause, Jessica straightened and asked, “So, what did I miss?”

  David laughed and shook his head. “You’ve only been away for a day and a half, Jessica. Not much has changed.”

  Jessica chuckled. “I’m sure it felt longer without me around.”

  David laughed. “You’re not wrong. It’s been a bit of a challenge without Ethan, Jordan, and you. You three keep everything running smoothly.”

  "Jordan..." Jessica muttered. When David mentioned Jordan's name, her smile disappeared. She was feeling guilty. It was all because of her that Jordan ended up in a coma. If she had asked for Ethan's help from the beginning, everything would have been different.

  David saw her expression changed. But, he believed that he should not say anything for now. He waited quietly, sensing that she was lost in her thoughts.

  Finally, Jessica looked up, her voice quiet but steady. “What about Ethan? Is he not in the office?”

  David raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Didn’t Ethan tell you?”

  Jessica frowned as she thought for a moment. Then she took out her phone and looked through her messages. Sure enough, there was one from Ethan.

  'I'll be away for a few days. Don't rush back to work. Take your time to recover.'

  Jessica looked at the message for a moment, holding her phone tightly. She felt both grateful for Ethan’s thoughtfulness and frustrated that she had not seen the message earlier.

  David watched her expression and leaned forward slightly. “Ethan’s handling something personal,” he said gently. “He didn’t share much, but knowing him, it’s probably something important. But, he had left a task for us to do.”

  Jessica nodded. She kept her phone back in her pocket. She looked at David and smiled weakly. "I wish I had done something different. I really regret my action, David."

  David’s gaze softened. “Jessica, you can't change the past. What matters is what you do from now on. Jordan wouldn’t want you blaming yourself.”

  Jessica bit her lip but nodded, her resolve strengthening. “You’re right. I’ll do my best to keep things moving here.”

  David smiled, sensing the determination in her voice. “That’s the Jessica we know. Welcome back.”

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