Chapter 562
Chapter 562:
Skye walked over to his setup. It was impressive—custom-built rigs, military-grade encryption software.
She picked up a framed photo on his desk. It was hidden behind a stack of energy drink cans. The photo showed a young boy standing next to a very familiar, very arrogant older girl.
Victoria Hayes.
Skye looked from the photo to the kid. The resemblance was there—the nose, the chin. But where Victoria was polished and cruel, this kid looked broken and brilliant.
“You’re Parker Hayes,” Skye said.
The kid flinched. “Who told you p>
“Nobody,” Skye said. “Victoria erased you. The Hayes family ‘tragic accident’ ten years ago. They said the youngest son ran away and died p>
“They wished I died,” Parker muttered, adjusting his glasses. “Victoria convinced Dad I was stealing from the trust. I was twelve! I just wanted to buy a server p>
“So you became the Nightcrawler,” Skye deduced. “You spy on the people who threw you out p>
“Information is currency,” Parker said, trying to sound tough but failing. “Lucian pays well for dirt on his enemies p>
“Lucian paid you to post those photos of me?” Skye asked.
Parker nodded. “He sent them this morning. Said if I didn’t post them, he’d tell Victoria where I am p>
Skye looked around the squalid shack. This kid was a genius living in a dump because he was afraid of his own sister.
She sat down on a milk crate.
“Parker,” she said softly. “How would you like to stop hiding p>
Parker looked at her suspiciously. “What do you mean p>
Skye smiled. “I mean, how would you like to help me crash a wedding p>
Parker Hayes sat on his spinning chair, clutching a slice of cold pizza like a shield. He looked between Skye and Harper, his eyes darting nervously.
“You want me to hack Lucian Graves?” Parker asked, his voice cracking. “Lady, do you have a death wish? He has guys who break fingers for a living. I need my fingers p>
𝗝o𝗶ո 𝘵𝗵𝗼us𝖺n𝗱s o𝖿 𝗿𝖾𝗮𝘥е𝘳𝘴 𝗈𝗇 𝖻e𝗹𝗻𝗈𝘃𝖾𝗅ѕ.𝖼𝗈𝗺
“Lucian is a bully,” Skye said dismissively. “And bullies only win when you’re alone. You’re not alone anymore p>
She pulled a folded document from her coat pocket. It wasn’t a threat; it was an employment contract.
“Oracle Holdings needs a Chief Security Officer,” Skye said. “Salary is five million a year. Plus stock options. Plus a penthouse apartment in the Oracle Tower. Secure access. Victoria can’t get past the lobby p>
Parker’s jaw dropped. The pizza slice fell onto his lap. “Five… million p>
“And immunity,” Skye added. “My lawyers will bury any past transgressions. You start fresh. Today p>
Parker looked at the contract. He looked at his basement, at the water stains on the ceiling. Then he looked at Skye. For the first time in a decade, someone wasn’t looking at him like a mistake; she was looking at him like an asset.
He grabbed a pen from his desk. “Where do I sign p>
Skye pointed to the line. He signed Parker Hayes with a flourish.
“Welcome to the team,” Skye said. “Now, first assignment p>
“Delete the photos?” Parker guessed.