If it were just a car that was stolen, or just one person who disappeared, there would be plenty to dissect about the situation, and someone of Emilia's level wouldn't pose much of an impact on the company.
But if someone got into her office and did something with her computer connected to the data server, the losses could be incalculable!
No problem, Diana, you can definitely get through this...
Diana comforted herself, then swiftly began checking her computer.
She didn't dare to hire a professional to take a look and could only try to see if she could figure out what the mysterious intruder did with her computer and what data was stolen.
But clearly, Diana, who wasn't well-versed in network technology, couldn't find out anything.
She didn't even notice that an AI was still in her computer, using her privileges to mine on the server while also stealing teaching materials.
Nor did she notice that in her Brain-Computer Interface, a program was running, using her own Prosthetic Eye and the Brain-Computer Interface's audio, recording her every word and every action.
Until a sudden pop-up appeared in the view of her Prosthetic Eye.
[?: Brilliant self-rescue, Dr. Kuno, I'm almost compelled to applaud you.]
"Who!!"
Diana nearly fell off her chair in fright.
[?: Calm down, don't worry, aside from planting a Sorcery Puppet in your brain that can roast your brain within a second, I haven't done anything else.]
"You..." Diana's eyes flashed with panic, instinctively wanting to disconnect the Brain-Computer Interface from the network, but then she realized her Brain-Computer Interface wasn't responding!
[?: Don't waste your efforts, and don't think about physically disconnecting; your hands aren't faster than my thoughts in initiating a program.]
Biting her lip, Diana forced herself to speak calmly, "What do you want?"
[?: It's not my turn to name a price; I think you should be the one to carefully consider now how much your life is worth and how much your future is worth.]
Diana's expression grew calmer: "I can't arbitrarily give you the deposits I have in biotechnology. If I withdraw all my money now, the company will certainly suspect me because of my vanished funds.
I have a million euros in other banks in the European Community. This money is for my own contingency plan. If you want it, I can give it to you, but you must ensure that my life is spared."
She didn't dare to gamble on whether there was really a Sorcery Puppet in her brain—considering how she blacked out, and how the other party could come and go from her office easily despite so much security...
Diana thought it best to believe for now.
[?: Alright, then a million euros, let's say it's your money for buying your life. You prepare the Money Chip yourself and hand it over at the designated place tomorrow.
Next, let's discuss the price for buying out your recording with Captain John.
If you're unwilling, I might also consider talking with Deputy Director Joanna to see how much she's willing to pay to buy out this recording.]
Diana's eyes widened slightly: "No, no need! You name your price! I, I can figure out another way to get you the money!"
As long as she still had her job and position, it wouldn't be hard at her level to earn back a million.
[?: Then please think well about how much money is really in your card.]
"There's really not much money left in my card. Most of my extra income is invested in fixed assets, like houses, cars, and I've also bought a lot of art pieces.
The money earned through legitimate channels is all in the company's account, and you must know that company personnel aren't allowed to deposit money in non-designated banks. Plus, I'm not the type who likes to profit illegitimately!
So, give me some time; once this matter is settled, I can smoothly find a way to pay you. I have deposits of over four hundred million euros in the company bank, or maybe give me some time to sell off some fixed assets!"
For the first time, Diana regretted not having skimmed more money before.
[?: Then let's trade something else. From your database, I saw a lot of interesting equipment. I think if I could get my hands on it and sell it to other companies, it would certainly earn me a good amount.]
Diana's face turned bitter: "The company wouldn't give me the chance to steal anything for you. Cheap stuff, maybe, but once any valuable equipment is lost, I definitely couldn't escape suspicion."
[?: What if it wasn't your problem? For example, if you just applied to headquarters for some experimental equipment that was then intercepted on the way—there's no blaming you for this, only the transport personnel for not being careful enough, don't you think?]
For a moment, all sorts of ideas rushed into Diana's mind.
You cunning folks really have some ideas; as a researcher, it doesn't instantly strike me that way.
"That way could work."
[?: Then it's settled. I'll give you a list, see what you can get. I need detailed configurations of the security personnel transporting it, the transport route, and the precise timing.
Once I have the items, this recording won't easily appear before you again.]
Biting her lip, Diana asked, "Won't easily appear?"
[?: I'm saying I'll destroy it, do you believe that? Instead, let's reserve a little mutual trust and threat between us.
If the cooperation is pleasant enough, who knows, we might have more opportunities to work together in the future.