Chapter 794 The Software
Ronin’s mental defenses crumbled, and the masked man gloated over his handiwork. He’d tormented Ronin for two days. He withheld food and drink and kept Ronin trapped in a dank, gloomy space. He knew well that Ronin was different from Catherine.
Although Ronin had faced hardships since childhood, he hadn’t undergone the excruciating training Catherine had endured. He couldn’t endure such inhumane torture. Breaking through his mental defenses wasn’t too challenging.
The masked man pulled out some medication from his pocket and tended to Ronin’s wounds. Watching Ronin’s expression change, he felt immensely satisfied. “You don’t have any grudges against me. There’s no need for it to come to this. It’s Catherine we’re after, and she is the one we’re dealing with. If you help us out, not only will I release you to recover, but I’ll also ensure you receive a substantial fortune and let you go away.”
Ronin’s gaze wavered, and his resolve weakened.
Rather than pressuring Ronin, the masked man kindly instructed someone to bring food for Ronin. “My kindness isn’t unconditional. Think it over if you want to accept this meal.”
After Ronin hesitated momentarily, he reached out and accepted the food. Then he murmured, “Bring me paper and pen. I’ll give you a way to contact Catherine privately.”
“Alright!” The masked man left cheerfully with the information provided by Ronin.
Ronin devoured the meal voraciously. He remembered Catherine’s instructions that no matter what happened, he shouldn’t let himself be mistreated. He followed Catherine’s advice to the letter and didn’t dare to forget it.
It had been three days, and there was still no word from Francis and Carlo. Ronin seemed to vanish into thin air.
Over at the school, Catherine personally arranged for Ronin’s leave. Ronin’s mentor treasured Ronin like a gem. Considering Ronin frequently took days off, he didn’t find anything amiss.
After class, Catherine rushed over to Connie’s place. Since their failed attempt at tailing Catherine last time, that group of people didn’t dare to follow her anymore. After all, sneaking around behind her was highly challenging.
Zobber and Withal were having a meal when Catherine arrived. Zobber immediately put down her fork and greeted her, “Catherine, have you eaten? Want to join us? Withal might be unreliable, but his cooking is good. You came at the right time!”
Withal overheard this and retorted, ” It’s all because you’re so picky! You won’t eat this, won’t eat that, and won’t even let me order takeout. If I don’t cook, are we going to starve together?”
Catherine noticed the bandages still on their bodies, yet they seemed more spirited than usual and still had time for banter. It made her want to laugh. ” The two of you have an interesting dynamić, a bit like…”
Before Catherine could finish, Zobber eagerly interjected, “Like what?”
Catherine glanced at her and calmly said, “Like a newlywed couple.”
Zobber paused for a moment, and Withal was also stunned. Then Zobber vehemently denied. She said, ” Catherine, you’re kidding. We clearly look like siblings, those kind who don’t get along, born in the same house but constantly at odds.”
Hearing Zobber’s denial, Withal slowly caught on. He looked at Zobber disdainfully. “What karma did I have in my past life? Why should I be your sibling?”
“Cut it out. Don’t try to cozy up to me for no reason!” Zobber replied.
Catherine saw through Withal’s change in mood, but she didn’t expose it. Maintaining that final boundary among friends was essential for a lasting relationship.
After the banter, they finally quieted down. Catherine had barely settled down to eat when her phone buzzed in her pocket with a unique vibration pattern she’d set. She immediately set down her fork and left.
Seeing that, Zobber felt curious. ”
Catherine, where are you off to?”
Catherine didn’t respond. She headed toward the adjacent computer room. After that, she swiftly turned on the computer and logged into the specific software she used to contact Ronin. She sent, [Ronin?]
Once she sent the message, a reply came promptly, which read, [Miss Swann, glad to be in touch with you.]
Catherine asked, [Ronin is in your hands?]
The other person responded, [Yes, Miss Swann. Seeing me contact you through this software, you should already suspect something.] He seemed proud, as if he had already turned Ronin.
Catherine remained composed and typed swiftly on the keyboard. She asked, [What are your terms for releasing him?]
The masked man at the computer smirked upon receiving Catherine’s message. He was confident Catherine would compromise. Ronin’s life was the key. Then he sent, [Miss Swann, I’ve heard your experiment is in its final stage. If you’re willing to hand over the experiment’s results to us, we’ll send Ronin back to you unharmed.
Catherine chuckled lightly. She was surprised they revealed their intentions so quickly. She thought they’d hold out for a bit longer. She replied, [Ronin has betrayed me by asking you to contact me through this software. Why should I sacrifice my experiment for a traitor?]
Catherine’s reply didn’t deter the masked man. He knew it was just a stalling tactic. Catherine attempted to trace his IP address through this. He wasn’t that foolish to be tricked. He sent, [Miss Swann, Ronin’s fate lies in your hands!] After sending this, he immediately went offline and ignored any further attempts at contact from Catherine.
Zobber and Withal noticed Catherine’s unusual behavior and followed her into the room.
Seeing Catherine’s chat window, Zobber quickly took over the computer and worked frantically. The next moment, she slammed the table in frustration. “Damn it! What a sly fox! I was about to catch up, and he vanished.
Catherine found this normal. If they were too easy to track, she’d start considering if it was a trap set by the other side.
Withal stared at the chat window and frowned. He felt something was off. ” Catherine, wasn’t this software created by you for exclusive use with Ronin? How did they get hold of it?”
This software was originally developed by Catherine for internal use among their group. After Catherine and Ronin experimented with it, Ronin ended up monopolizing it.
Ronin had pleaded with Catherine to create another one and make the first one exclusively for both of them. Unable to resist Ronin’s persistence, Catherine agreed. For her, creating another software meant modifying the existing code. It was not a troublesome task.
Now that the software was in enemy hands, Withal knew this was a terrible sign. There were only two possible reasons for this situation. Firstly, Ronin might have succumbed to pressure and revealed it himself. Alternatively, Ronin might have turned traitor. Whichever it was, both possibilities were dire.
