"I don't!" Dorothy had reached her breaking point.
He was clearly trying to exploit the situation! "So, do you think I'm not as handsome as Everett, not as wealthy?" The abrupt change in his demeanor threw her off.
"Um... shouldn't we be avoiding this topic? Byte 7, | asked for your help to retrieve data from my flash drive. This is a transaction between us. | don't want to drag personal matters into it." Byte 7 seemed to straighten up a bit, his voice regaining some of its usual tone.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I've recovered most of the footage on the flash drive, but let me tell you straight. If you think you can use this to take down the Lopez Corporation, you're dreaming.” "That's my concern to handle.” "But if | decide to help you, that changes everything.” Byte 7's words came out slowly, deliberately, "This footage is just part of the story. The data on the flash drive isn't comprehensive. If I'm not mistaken, there should be other flash drives out there, which you haven't gotten your hands on, right?" "They've all been destroyed. This is my last hope.” Dorothy's eyes dimmed with despair.
She had not seen the footage from the drive yet, so she had no idea if it was enough to turn the tables and win her case! "Destroyed doesn't mean it can't be recovered.” Dorothy's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? Even without the original, it's possible?" "Once surveillance footage like this is recorded, it leaves traces online. | took your flash drive, found the code for that camera, hacked into the company that manages the surveillance, and accessed their core database. They're at my mercy now." Dorothy stood up so fast her chair nearly toppled over! "So, you got all the footage?" "Mhm." Byte 7 chuckled, "So, do you want to date me now?" "No.
"Then you don't want to see the full footage?" Byte 7 was clearly laying a trap, just waiting for Dorothy to take the bait. This was not a choice; it was coercion.
But he did not understand Dorothy.
Too much pressure, and she would never cave.
"If you don't want to give it to me, then fine. I'll just take what's on my drive." "Stubborn, aren't you?" Byte 7 was taken aback by her refusal.
He just could not grasp it.
Mostly because he never believed in undying love! "I hope you'll send me the videos from the drive when the time comes. I'll give you the final payment, and we'll be even." As soon as Dorothy finished her sentence, her phone pinged with a notification from her bank.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmIn a second, her account was drained.
Not even a penny remained.
"See? I'm not joking around.” Dorothy pressed her lips and took a deep breath, "Well, it's all yours now. You've saved me the trouble of transferring it." "Dorothy! My patience is wearing thin!" Byte 7 was on the edge of madness. "All I'm asking is for you to date me for a week.
What's the big deal?" "Then tell me, why are you so insistent on dating me for a week?" Dorothy did not believe it was due to her charm.
There was a significant age gap between her and Byte 7, and standing together, it was pretty noticeable. Surely, Byte 7 did not have some sort of Oedipus complex? After a few grunts on the other end of the line, Byte 7 laughed. "Because | want to legitimately play the role of Langston's dad for a few days!" Langston? Dorothy was stunned. "How did you..." "Your son's skills, | taught him everything he knows, so don't be surprised.”