The room vibrated with quiet panic.
Beyond the glass walls, the city shimmered—oblivious to the digital war raging inside. Edward paced like a trapped animal, his polished shoes tapping against the floor. Sweat clung to his temple.
At the center of the room, Harvey sat before the monitor, jaw clenched, fingers flying. Madeline hovered nearby, arms crossed tight to her chest. Athena stood apart, silent, her gaze fixed on the screen as streams of data bled past.
"Harvey," Edward said sharply, "are you sure you can handle this?"
Harvey didn't look up. "I'm trying, Edward. That's all I can promise."
His fingers slowed.
Then stopped.
The room held its breath.
Edward froze. "What happened?"
Harvey swallowed. "The last firewall… it's failing. I've lost control."
Edward's voice cracked. "No—no, you can't say that. Do something. If this system falls, the company is finished."
Harvey leaned back, defeated. "The attacker is too skilled. This isn't someone ordinary."
Athena's eyes narrowed. She leaned forward, studying the pattern on the screen.
Her breath hitched.
"…That coding style," she whispered. "That curve—"
She stiffened.
"Could it be… Mom?"
She turned to Edward, urgency blazing in her eyes. "Let me try."
Harvey scoffed without humor. "Athena, I know who you are. I knew your mother. But this—this is not child's play."
Athena didn't even glance at him.
She looked straight at Edward. "Please. Just once. Let me try."
Edward hesitated. Then nodded sharply. "Do it."
Athena stepped forward.
Her stare landed on Harvey, cool and unyielding.
"Are you going to keep sitting there," she asked calmly, "or should I hack standing up?"
Madeline snorted. "Translation: move."
Harvey blinked. "…Oh."
He stood and stepped aside.
"Go on," he said, arms folding. "Prove me wrong."
Athena sat.
For a moment, her hands hovered over the keyboard.
Then—
The room filled with sound.
Keys clattered in rapid succession, her movements precise, fluid, merciless. Her face hardened into something unreadable—focused, distant, dangerous.
Edward leaned toward Harvey, whispering, "How long has she been at it?"
Harvey checked the clock. "Five minutes. Maybe more."
Edward swallowed. "Your assessment?"
Harvey didn't answer immediately.
Then, quietly: "She's sharper than Rowena was at this age."
Edward exhaled slowly. "Will you take her in?"
Harvey's eyes never left Athena. "Maybe."
Madeline straightened abruptly. "Both of you—come with me. Now."
They turned, startled.
"Privately," she added.
---
MINI-CONFERENCE ROOM
Edward frowned. "What's this about?"
Madeline took a breath. "Athena."
Harvey raised a brow. "Go on."
"She's carrying more than revenge," Madeline said. "Her father was murdered. Her mother was taken by the Black Thorn mafia. And I believe—" she hesitated, then pushed on, "—her mother is the one attacking your system right now."
Edward stiffened. "Rowena? That's impossible."
"That's why it's tearing Athena apart," Madeline said sharply. "Saving your company might mean standing against her own mother. And yet she's still doing it."
Silence pressed in.
"So I'm asking you," Madeline continued, voice steady but fierce. "Help her. Harvey—take her as your apprentice. Teach her everything. Edward—support her. Influence. Protection. Resources."
Harvey studied her. "Why should we?"
Madeline met his gaze. "Because she's fighting a war no one else can see."
A long pause.
Edward nodded slowly. "If she saves Lilac Group… I'll give her everything I can."
Harvey exhaled. "And even without conditions—she's mine."
Madeline's shoulders finally loosened. "Thank you."
---
EDWARD'S OFFICE — LATER
Athena drained a glass of water, then looked up.
Edward leaned forward. "Is it over?"
Athena's lips curved faintly. "More than over. I rebuilt the firewall from scratch. Divine-tier. Only a god could break it."
Edward let out a breath he'd been holding. "Thank you."
Harvey smirked. "Mind if I test it?"
Athena tilted her head. "Go ahead. You'll fail."
Harvey laughed. "Bold words for a kid."
Athena smiled coolly. "Bold firewall for an old man."
Madeline whispered to Edward, "This is going to be embarrassing."
Harvey typed furiously. Minutes passed. Sweat formed.
Then—he stopped.
He leaned back, defeated but smiling. "You're terrifying."
Athena shook her head. "My mother is."
Edward looked at her seriously. "What do you want in return?"
Athena didn't hesitate. She pointed at Harvey. "Him."
Harvey chuckled. "You already beat me in hacking. What else do you want?"
"Everything else," Athena replied. "What you didn't teach my mother."
Harvey's smile faded. "Boxing. Poison. Disguise."
"I'm ready."
He studied her—then nodded. "From today, you're my disciple."
Athena dropped to one knee.
"Master."
Edward blinked. "Is that necessary?"
Madeline tapped Athena's shoulder. "Stand up before you embarrass us."
Athena stood.
Harvey's tone turned grave. "This path isn't gentle."
Athena met his eyes. "Neither is my life."
A pause.
"Come to the gym tomorrow," Harvey said. "We begin."
Edward hesitated. "If I asked you to be my goddaughter…"
"No."
He smiled faintly. "Think about it."
"…Okay."
Madeline slung an arm around Athena. "Let's go."
Edward handed her cash. "For the ride."
"Thank you."
Athena paused at the door. "Goodbye, Principal. Goodbye, Master."
"Goodbye," they replied.
As the door closed, Edward and Harvey turned back to the screens—where the storm had quieted, but the war had only just begun.