Citadel.
That was the new security system the Pri Group was planning to launch in a few months. Although it wasn’t available yet, the market was already abuzz with interest due to its promising marketing campaign. Citadel was expected to surpass their current system, offering unmatched protection—but it still wasn’t perfect.
In other words, it was still a work in progress.
There were ongoing issues the cybersecurity departnt had been scrambling to resolve as the deadline lood. They needed it to be flawless. While the team had faith that once operational, Citadel would revolutionize the industry.
But—
"Penny." Yugi grabbed her arm, his brows drawn tight. "You want us to launch Citadel? Right now?"
"Did I say sothing else?"
"But this is a huge risk," he stressed, just loud enough for others to hear. "In our last test run, we hit a major setback. You were there — you saw it yourself. We can’t launch it now, especially not with this bug in the system."
Penny exhaled slowly, locking eyes with him. "We have no choice."
"We do."
"Then say them," she challenged, raising a brow. "Maybe we do have other options if we think hard enough. But by then, it might already be too late. I’d rather take this risk — just like I took a huge risk abandoning my research for this company. It’s a gamble I’d gladly take any day"
"What about Fortress? The system we’re currently using? Unlike Citadel, it’s proven. It’s tested."
"Yugi, of all people, you know that’s not possible anymore," Penny replied, her voice tinged with disbelief. "That’s the sa system we’re using for this event. Did you forget what the second round is going to be? Like that guy said — this is planned. It’s a planned attack on the Pri Group. Whoever’s behind this knew that Fortress was nearly impenetrable from the outside. The only way to hurt it would be to plant a bomb from within."
She paused, then rephrased: "To bomb to hurt us. Not just you and , but the company and everyone in it."
Her words hit harder than a slap, the cold truth dousing Yugi like a bucket of ice water. Slowly, he released her arm and swallowed hard.
"This isn’t sothing that’s going to make Pri Group fall, Yugi," Penny said as she lightly tapped his shoulder. "Pull yourself together and join outside once you’ve cald down."
With that, she turned—and paused. Her eyes landed on Teddy and Patricia. She didn’t recall asking Patricia to follow, but she didn’t dwell on it.
"Let’s go," she muttered, resuming her steps. The two quickly fell in behind her.
As they walked away, Yugi watched her go and exhaled deeply. He took another mont to recompose himself before turning back to the team. A little bit of sha crept up his spine because Penny was right. This was not the first cyber attack they had encountered. Why fear when they managed to reach this point despite having these types of problems back when they were just starting?
"Run diagnostics on Citadel — ah, no. We need completely new devices for it. Stop the launch for now. We can’t risk infecting it with this bug."
At his order, everyone paused, lifting their hands from their keyboards. One by one, they turned to Yugi and nodded as he pulled out his phone to make several urgent calls.
"While we’re waiting, get HQ involved. They’re already aware of the situation," he added. "Tell them we’re launching Citadel today."
---
anwhile, as Penny stepped out, she glanced over her shoulder.
"Teddy, approach my brother and let him know the situation," she ordered quietly. "Be discreet."
Teddy bowed his head and, without hesitation, parted from her to return to the VIP section. Patricia, on the other hand, rushed to keep up with Penny.
"Penny, what should I do?" Patricia asked, worried. "Can you really fix this?"
"Why are you panicking when you don’t even fully understand the problem?"
"Penny, what more do I need to understand when I already know the company I work for might collapse?" she replied, before biting her tongue. "I just got this job. I don’t want to look like I’m the company’s bad luck or sothing."
Penny glanced at her, her expression twisting in disbelief. Everything Patricia said sounded self-centered—but she could tell her concern was real. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.
"I don’t know yet, Patricia," Penny admitted. "Stick around. I might think of sothing."
Patricia frowned but nodded, following her into the main event area. They positioned themselves at the side of the stage.
It was already round two, with Team D defending their second line of defense. Team A had successfully breached the first, and the crowd’s cheers roared louder with each move.
If Team A managed to break through again, they’d be close to winning the first round. All they needed was to hold strong in round two — or hope their opponents failed and win by default.
"Penny," Patricia whispered, her eyes locked on the stage. "Why are we here? If you’re going to watch, wouldn’t it be better from the second floor?"
Penny didn’t answer. Her eyes scanned the stage, occasionally flicking around the room. Patricia sighed, then looked back at the match.
From their position, Team D was more clearly visible. Patricia’s gaze drifted to one of the players.
"Hey, Penny..." Patricia sang softly, leaning closer. "Do you know that guy?"
Penny arched a brow at her. Patricia subtly pointed at the stage with a tilt of her lips. Penny followed her gaze—and her eyes landed on Nathaniel.
Her brows rose quickly, but she answered, "No." She glanced at Patricia. "Do you?"
"Well, I don’t think so?" Patricia said, shrugging. "But for so reason, I feel like I’ve seen him before. I just can’t place where... or maybe I’m wrong. Hehe."
"..." Penny pressed her lips into a thin line, eyeing her. ’Didn’t Nathaniel say he never t Patricia when he hired her for that side gig? So why does she think he looks familiar?’
Penny mulled over it but before she could fully dwell on the thought, the venue’s lights suddenly cut out.
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