My father did not back down.

He stood his ground, his eyes fixed on the intruder.

My phone buzzed again in my hand.

I looked down at the screen.

It was a text from Ethan.

*I have the digital footprint.*

*Tell Daniel I’m ready.*

I looked up, my heart hammering against my ribs.

My father’s phone was still active in his pocket.

“Ethan,” my father said, his voice loud enough to echo in the small room.

“Now.”

From the ceiling speakers, a high-pitched digital chime sounded.

The red strobe lights stopped flashing.

The backup generator kicked in, and the overhead fluorescent lights flickered to life.

The sudden brightness made everyone squint.

Martin covered his eyes with his sleeve.

The masked man lowered his crowbar, startled by the light.

My father stood in the center of the room, looking calm.

“Your transfer just failed, Martin,” my father said.

Martin looked down at his phone.

The green checkmark had vanished.

In its place was a red error screen.

“What?” Martin whispered, his face turning pale.

“No, it was complete.”

“Ethan just isolated your server,” my father said.