Falling 64

After the socializing was over, Ashlan noticed a figure in the corner of the banquet and raised his eyebrows slightly. 

A different look appeared in his eyes, and then he spoke. 

“Come on, let me introduce you to someone.” 

He led Sandria through the crowd toward a secluded terrace in the banquet hall. 

A man stood with his back to them, tall and upright, exuding a cool and aloof aura as he gazed alone at the night out- side the window, completely out of place with the bustle of the banquet. 

“Antony, let me introduce you–this is my sister, Sandria.” 

Ashlan called out. 

The man turned around at the sound. 

A handsome yet cold–as–ice face came into view. 

Sandria raised her eyebrows slightly. He was good–looking, but what was so impressive about him? She couldn’t quite see it. 

Just as she was thinking this, Ashlan spoke up. 

“Sandy, this is Antony Merritt, founder of Shield Technologies.” 

Sandria’s heart gave a jolt. 

Shield Technologies? 

Was it the Shield Technologies she knew of? 

The absolute leader in the domestic cybersecurity field–many people paid high prices for their services, but it all de- pended on their mood. The founder was elusive, so their identity had never been uncovered. 

She never expected that the founder would turn out to be this handsome young man before her. 

A spark of interest flashed in Sandria’s eyes. She reached out her hand. “Hello, I’m Sandria. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Merritt, you’re something of an idol to me.” 

Antony took the initiative to shake her hand. His voice was cool, yet unexpectedly gentle. 

“Ms. Schroeder, I’ve heard so much about you. Your performance just now was wonderful.” 

“Mr. Merritt, you’re too kind.” Sandria gave his hand a light shake. 

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Ashlan watched from the side, a trace of amusement flickering in his eyes. 

“Antony, I heard you’re looking for a new firewall solution lately?” 

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Antony nodded. “That’s right. The requirements are quite demanding, and I haven’t found a suitable one yet.” 

Sandria spoke up instinctively: “Traditional passive defense systems can no longer keep up with current attack pat- terns. If we could build a proactive warning and honeypot system, turning the firewall from a ‘shield‘ into a ‘net,‘ wouldn’t that be even more effective?” 

Her words made Antony’s eyes light up instantly. 

He had listened to countless technical teams‘ proposals, all of them long–winded and confusing. 

Not a single one had been as incisive as Sandria’s! 

“A proactive defense matrix? That’s a concept… I’ve never heard before. Ms. Schroeder, I’d love to hear more.” 

Watching the two of them engrossed in conversation, a smile curled at the corner of Ashlan’s lips. 

Mission accomplished, he quietly withdrew. 

The two chatted happily, and by the time they finished, they realized the banquet was nearly over–and Ashlan was nowhere to be found. 

“Ms. Schroeder, your firewall concept has truly inspired me. But it’s getting late now. Let me see you home. May I have your contact information so we can discuss this further?” 

Sandria nodded. “Of course.” 

She had a good impression of this tech enthusiast. Even after just a brief conversation, she already felt inspired. 

The two of them started walking toward the exit, but just then, a voice suddenly called out. 

“Sandy?” 

Sandria turned to look and saw someone walking over. 

The figure was tall, with a hint of roguishness. 

It was Fulbert! 

Fulbert walked over and, with a very familiar air, wrapped his arm directly around her slender waist. 

“Are you done here? Perfect, I came to pick you up.‘ 

He held her a bit too tightly. Sandria raised her eyebrows and squirmed uncomfortably. 

“Let go of me first.” 

But the man’s large hand seemed to tighten even more, as if in a fit of pique, and his voice was so gentle it could drip 

water. 

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“Alright, I was just a little late, that’s all. Don’t make a fuss.” 

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