Chapter 6: Company Emergency

Asher’s grip on his phone tightened as the voice on the other end continued.

"There’s been a breach in the company’s financial security system. Sinusuri pa namin ang pinsala, pero mukhang may nakapasok sa mga kumpidensyal na file ng proyekto. We need you here immediately."

Asher’s jaw clenched. "I’m on my way."

He hung up, his mind racing. This wasn’t just a minor setback—someone was deliberately targeting him. At sa pagkawala ni Thalia, masyadong kahina-hinala ang tiyempo para ipagsawalang-bahala.

Agad siyang kumilos, sumakay sa kanyang sasakyan, at mabilis na tinungo ang punong tanggapan ng kumpanya. Lumabo ang mga ilaw ng lungsod habang dumaraan siya, but his focus remained sharp. He needed to fix this. He needed answers.

Pagdating niya sa kumpanya, kaguluhan na ang bumalot sa paligid. Nagkakagulo ang mga empleyado, IT specialists were working furiously to contain the breach, and his most trusted executives stood waiting for him at the entrance.

Yna approached first, bakas sa mukha ang pag-aalala. "Nangyari ang paglabag isang oras na ang nakalipas. Someone bypassed the security system and extracted data from the upcoming acquisition files. If this gets leaked, maaaring masira ang ilang buwang negosasyon."

Asher exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Have you tracked the source?"

"We’re trying," she replied. "But whoever did this covered their tracks well. It might be an inside job."

Asher’s eyes darkened. "Get me everything. Now."

Diretso siyang naglakad patungo sa conference room, kung saan abala na ang isang grupo sa pagsusuri ng surveillance footage. As he entered, Paul was standing at the head of the table, his expression grim. "This isn’t just a simple hack. Someone wants to cripple us."

Asher met his father’s gaze, understanding the weight of his words. Kung gumagalaw na ang kanilang mga kaaway ngayon, it meant they thought he was vulnerable. They weren’t entirely wrong—between Thalia’s disappearance and the company’s crisis, mabilis na lumalala ang sitwasyon.

Taking a deep breath, he straightened. "Then let’s show them they made a mistake."

Umupo siya at handang sirain kung anumang banta ang sumulpot. Pero sa kabila ng lahat, may isa pang bagay na hindi maalis sa kanyang isip—si Thalia.

Where was she? And was this connected to the warning she had received?

Dahil kung oo, hindi na lang ito tungkol sa negosyo. It was personal.

+++++

Alex seemed oblivious to the security guard's warning habang paulit-ulit niyang pinipindot ang pindutan ng elevator, determined to force his way inside. The security guard quickly stepped forward to block him.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but you need an appointment to enter the company. Please cooperate," the guard said firmly.

Napairap si Alex, halatang naiinip. "Sinabi ko na sa’yo, bayaw ko siya. Just inform your president."

Hindi niya pinansin ang babala at muling sinubukang pumasok, dahilan upang bahagyang mag-alangan ang guwardiya. Habang tumitindi ang tensyon sa pagitan nila, Yna entered the lobby after returning from outside. She immediately noticed the commotion.

"What's going on here?" she asked, matalim ang tingin habang sinusuri ang sitwasyon.

Mabilis na tumindig nang tuwid ang guwardiya at magalang na sumagot, "Ma'am Yna, sinasabi po ng ginoong ito na bayaw siya ni Boss Asher at nagpupumilit siyang makita siya."

Inilipat ni Yna ang kanyang tingin kay Alex, pinagmamasdan ito nang may bahagyang pag-aalinlangan. Wala siyang nakikitang pagkakahawig nito kay Thalia.

Ngumisi si Alex na parang alam niya ang iniisip ni Yna. "Si Thalia talaga ang kapatid ko. Kung hindi ka naniniwala, go ask your CEO Asher."

Saglit na natahimik si Yna bago dahan-dahang tumango. "Let him go up."

Lumihis ang guwardiya upang bigyang daan si Alex. Sa halip na mainis sa pagkaantala, ngumiti si Alex at itinuro ang sarili. "Kita mo? Sinabi ko na eh, bayaw ko si CEO Asher, but you still wouldn’t believe it."

Hindi na siya nagsayang ng oras at sumunod kay Yna papasok sa elevator patungo sa opisina ng CEO sa pinakamataas na palapag.

+++++

Upon arriving at the outer office, Yna gestured for him to wait. "Stay here for a moment. I’ll inform CEO Asher."

She knocked on the door and spoke in a low voice. "Sir?"

A deep, composed voice answered from inside. "Come in."

Dahan-dahang binuksan ni Yna ang pinto at pumasok, ngunit bago pa siya makapagsalita, biglang itinulak ni Alex ang pinto at walang pakundangang pumasok.

"Asher, are you really divorcing Thalia?" he blurted out.

Yna froze mid-step. 

Mula sa kanyang desk, itinaas ni Asher ang kanyang tingin at malamig na sinulyapan si Yna.

Feeling a sudden chill on her back, Yna hurriedly explained, "Mr. Alex came in by himself."

Mabilis na inirapan ni Alex si Yna. "Oo na, ako na ang pumasok! Nag-aalala lang ako!"

Pagkatapos, humarap siya kay Asher, seryoso ang mukha. "Ano bang nangyayari sa inyo? Why did you suddenly get divorced? Thalia is leaving tomorrow."

Asher’s hand, which had been resting on his computer mouse, paused for a fraction of a second. Hindi ito nakaligtas sa mapanuring mata ni Yna na agad napansin ang bahagyang pagbabago sa kanyang kilos.

Still, Asher’s expression remained unreadable as he met Alex’s gaze. "Is there something you need?"

Alex hesitated, suddenly feeling out of place. "Well… not really. Nag-alala lang ako nang marinig kong naghiwalay kayo."

"There’s nothing to worry about. She and I are fine," Asher replied evenly.

Alex, sensing the cold reception, awkwardly cleared his throat. "By the way, brother-in-law, about that resort project from last time…"