"Is there any backup of those files?" Avalina asked. She wanted to know how they are going to solve this issue. She saw the IT expert Stacy Watson and her team trying to recover the data they lost.
"No, we don't. It was a top-secret project. So to ensure its secrecy and avoid leaks we didn't have a backup. Ms Watson is already trying to recover those data. It has been an hour but she still couldn't recover those. She is the best IT expert we have. If she couldn't then no one can."
Avalina was surprised to hear that. Yesterday she was thinking to know more about those secret projects and today someone hacked those files. She heard Antonia fuming at Stacy and her team.
"You are an IT expert and still you can't do anything to retrieve those files. Do you know how much the Brown and Stone enterprise will lose because of your incompetence?"
Avalina knew the reason for Antonia's frustration. Those projects were very important for Sophia. Even if it was not her mistake, Antonia was delegated by her mother to ensure the project's completion. If Sophia came to know about this then Antonia will have to face her mother's anger.
Initially, Avalina was not interested in helping but as she thought about this. This was a perfect opportunity for her to help Antonia. If she could retrieve back those files from the hacker then she will be able to make Antonia consider her as a friend or at least as a more useful resource. This will make Antonia keep her close.
Thinking this she went to the computer room where Stacy and her team were working. It was on the same floor. Aleena followed her, she also wanted to know the current situation.
There Avalina saw a distraught Jenny, fuming Antonia, and exhausted Stacy and team.
"How is the situation here," Aleena asked. After not getting any response she then continued.
"Looking at all of you I think it's not yet solved. I am going to inform CEO Brown.
Aleena then immediately went to the CEO's office. She didn't inform him early because he was in a very important meeting with a client and had asked her not to disturb him.
While Avalina was observing a tense room she heard Antonia threatening Jenny.
"Jenny remembers this, this is your mistake. If we couldn't retrieve those files and if we lose money then forgets this job of yours."
100 million dollars was not a small amount. With that amount, anyone can send a rocket to space. So it was not feasible for the company to lose that much amount to a hacker. Hearing this Jenny became even more stressed.
Jenny's father died leaving a lot of debts. Since that day Jenny was trying to pay off her debts by working hard. She was always a very efficient employee. For the past few days, her mother was ill. When admitted Jenny found out that she was suffering from leukemia. This shocked Jenny to the point that she can't concentrate on her job. Now if she lost her job due to her negligence no good company will hire her. It will be all over for her.
Avalina soon analyzed the situation. She will let Stacy and her team continue trying till they give up before she starts working.
Oliver was in his cabin when he heard about the hacking from Aleena. He soon rushed to the computer room.
"How is it going. Can the IT team retrieve those files?"
Everyone saw a worried expression on Oliver but Avalina understood something was not right. She had a feeling that Oliver is faking it.
All were standing and waiting for Stacy and her team to give them some response but after long 2 hours they gave up. Now they only had 1 hour left to send money to the hacker.
"Mr. Brown we are really sorry we can't retrieve those files. Paying them is the only option available for us."
Hearing this Oliver seemed tense.
"100 million dollars for that incomplete project is not possible. I think we have no option left other than dropping that project."
Hearing this Antonia was shocked. Losing money was bearable for her but losing that project was inconceivable to her. It was the project her mother wanted the most. Even if she lost money she can't lose that project.
"Oli, what you are saying. Do you know how much important that project was important for both Brown and Stone Enterprise?There is no way we are losing that"
Hearing this Oliver looked at her
"So what are you suggesting. Do you think 100 million dollars is a small amount to lose? This project was not yet complete. We can always work on another project but we can't lose such a huge amount on a project."
Hearing this Avalina was sure that this was all Oliver's doing. She assumed that he wanted to stop this project at any cost.
Antonia was fuming and desperate but she didn't know what to do. She can ask her mother for the money but her mother will consider her unworthy and incompetent.
Avalina who saw all this soon understood that it was time for her to help Antonia.
"Ms. Stone can I try once. I am not sure whether I can but it's worth a try right."
Hearing this everyone was surprised. The staff who considered her with disdain thought that Ava was just playing around and thought this to be some easy job.
"Ms. Max, do you think this is some random easy job that you will solve just like that." Stacy wanted to humiliate Ava. She always looked down on her after she heard about her lack of education. She was also jealous of her beauty and thought that she got this job because she seduced Oliver.
"Ms. Watson, I know it's not a simple job. I just want to try" Avalina politely replied
"I am not allowing a country bumpkin to touch these computers. If something happened to other files what will happen. We will lose much more than what we already lost."
Hearing other staff in the room nodded.
"Ms. Max we know you don't have formal education. Even people with formal education in the computer are not able to solve this how can you ask such things so casually without even considering your lack of abilities."
Oliver and Aleena wanted to defend Ava but they couldn't find a valid argument through which they can defend her. Ava was surely not that qualified to solve this issue.
Stacy thought of an idea. This was her best chance to humiliate Ava.
Antonia was desperate. She wanted to try everything that she can. So she looked at Ava.
"If you solve this issue I will fulfill your one wish, provided it is of my ability"
Hearing this Avalina was elated. She wanted exactly this. Stacy saw this. She was sure that Ava will not be able to retrieve the files, so she went near them
"Let's make it interesting, If Ms. Max is able to retrieve those files then I will kowtow and admit my incompetence. I will also resign as IT team head. But if Ava fails then she has to kowtow and resign from her position as secretary" Everyone was surprised at her challenge. They thought that Ava will not accept this.
Antonia wanted to contradict Stacy.No one will accept those challenges,but she was surprised when she heard Ava's next words.
"I accept the challenge." The staff was surprised at Ava's reply but they were also excited to see a live challenge. They thought that Ava is bound to lose her pride and job.
Oliver wanted to interrupt but also wanted to test Ava. He wanted to see her potential. If she can't be her secretary then he will find another way to keep her around. He was a bit worried that if Ava lost then she will be humiliated. But if that happens he knew that Ava will learn an important lesson to never overestimate her potential. He still considers Ava to be too naive for a corporate world.