Template placeholder with Chapter 387

Chapter 387:

“There’s nothing wrong with the app, but…” Dustin hesitated.

“If there’s no issue, then release it immediately!” Huntley said.

On the other end of the call, Dustin instinctively pushed back. “But this is plagiarism. I’ve already built a compatible app. Why not release mine p>

Huntley’s cold chuckle cut through the line. “Do you think I hired you because I care about your pathetic app p>

Before Dustin could reply, Huntley’s tone turned mocking. “You took my money, so do what I say. Try breaking the contract, and you’ll pay the penalty p>

With that, Huntley ended the call.

At six in the evening, as Amelia was wrapping up her workday, her office door burst open.

“Mrs. Stewart, we’ve got a problem!” Ritchie rushed in, sweating, his voice urgent.

Amelia’s first thought was an issue with their app. Before she could ask, Ritchie blurted out, “Our new app has been stolen p>

“What do you mean by stolen?” she asked.

Instead of answering directly, Ritchie pointed to her laptop. “Mrs. Stewart, can I use your computer p>

у𝘰𝘶𝗋 𝘯𝗲x𝘁 𝗳a𝗏𝘰𝗋і𝘵𝗲 𝘳𝗲𝖺d і𝗌 𝗼ո

She slid it toward him, and within moments, Ritchie pulled up a webpage displaying a new office app at the top of the screen. As he navigated through it, Amelia’s face grew darker.

After the full demo, she understood Ritchie’s claim.

The app on the market was identical to the one she had seen in Ritchie’s studio, down to every detail.

Ritchie and his team, out of habit, checked market software daily to track trends. When he had first spotted the app, he had thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.

Amelia grabbed her phone and quickly dialed Rocco, briefly explaining the stolen app and asking him to investigate the publisher.

Hearing that, Ritchie interjected, “Mrs. Stewart, no need to trouble Mr. Perry. Arturo and I can track them down ourselves p>

Minutes later, Amelia and Ritchie reached Ritchie’s team’s office, a spacious area Amelia had secured at the Davis Group for their long-term partnership.

As they entered, a wave of frustrated curses greeted them. The young programmers at their desks fell silent when they saw Amelia, their anger palpable but restrained.

“Arturo, I’ll cover for you. You find a way to trace the publisher’s IP,” Ritchie said to a young man.

At just seventeen, Arturo Ellis had earned a coveted spot in Kretol University’s esteemed computer science program. His polished appearance set him apart, devoid of the usual coder stereotypes. When Amelia first met him, she had mistaken him for a high schooler, until Rocco’s background check revealed Arturo’s reputation as a top hacker.

As Ritchie and Arturo settled at their computers, the team crowded around, silent with anticipation. Though Amelia lacked hacking expertise, she was visibly awestruck watching Arturo deftly manage two computers, his fingers racing across two keyboards.

An hour later, Ritchie paused his work, eyeing the flickering red dots on Arturo’s screen. “Can you track it down?” he asked.

“Yes!” Arturo replied with confidence.

Ritchie let out a relieved sigh and turned to Amelia nearby. “No need to worry, Mrs. Stewart, Arturo is a master at this kind of thing. If he says he can find the publisher, he will p>

“I have full faith in Arturo,” Amelia replied.

“I’ve found them p>

Arturo’s triumphant yell rang out almost immediately after Amelia’s words. Amelia’s gaze snapped to his screen, where a lone red dot flashed amid a web of coordinates.

By eight in the evening, Amelia, Barrie, and the team stood outside an apartment building in Kretol’s city center.

“Can you narrow it to the exact floor?” Amelia asked.

Arturo zoomed in on his screen’s map. “Seventh floor, left side p>

They rode the elevator to the seventh floor, where only one apartment stood on the left. At Amelia’s nod, Barrie pressed the doorbell.

“Who’s there?” a man’s voice called from inside.

“Maintenance crew,” Barrie answered.

Amelia and the others heard footsteps nearing the door.

When Dustin opened the door and saw Barrie’s imposing figure, he tried to slam it shut, but Barrie’s strength easily overpowered his attempt.