Chapter 633 The Renowned Hacker
In a daze, Catherine heard her phone ringing.
She reached out from under the covers and found her phone with precision. Then she pressed the answer button and placed it by her ear.
On the other end, Zobber said excitedly, “Catherine, it’s me. Are you up?”
Catherine squinted at the time and saw it was noon. It’s no wonder Zobber was calling her.
She grunted in response, “Well.”
After Zobber heard Catherine’s soft and slightly hoarse voice, her heart skipped a beat. She knew she had disturbed Catherine in her sleep, but she couldn’t resist such an alluring voice.
“Catherine, it’s noon already. Want to grab some food? Withal and I are back. Let’s eat together!”
If it were someone else, Catherine would have likely refused.
She prefers to sleep in during the weekend and eat later in the apartment.
However, since Zobber and the others had just returned from a mission, Catherine reluctantly agreed and replied, “Alright. You guys pick the spot. I’ll come over.”
Suppressing her excitement, Zobber was considerate and asked, “Catherine, where are you? Should I pick you up?”
“I’m at the apartment. There’s no need for you to pick me up,” Catherine replied. She declined Zobber’s offer. Apart from Branden, she never let anyone else pick her up.
Knowing Catherine was at the apartment, Zobber guessed she was at Branden’s place and suggested, “Mr. Duncan must be home. Catherine, why don’t you bring Mr. Duncan along? The more, the merrier!”
Catherine stayed silent for a moment before responding, “Okay. I’ll ask him later.”
With that, Catherine ended the call.
As she was about to get up, she spotted Branden leaning against the door frame.
He must have just arrived, as Catherine wouldn’t have missed his presence otherwise.
Catherine shook her phone she held in her hand and said to him, “Zobber and the others are back. They’ve planned lunch. Want to come along?”
This meant she was going and, in passing, asking for Branden’s opinion. Branden had never opposed Catherine’s decisions. If she was willing, he wouldn’t object.
Half an hour later, Branden arrived with Catherine at the Golden Spoon.
It was a new restaurant in Loxton that catered exclusively to a select group of high-end users. It was private dining but boasted excellent dining ambiance and, most importantly, delectable dishes.
As they reached the private room’s entrance, Catherine pushed the door open.
Inside were Withal and Zobber, alongside a familiar face.
Drake seemed quite surprised to see Catherine, not expecting her presence here.
“Catherine!” Drake exclaimed.
Hearing him call Catherine’s name, Zobber was taken aback. “Drake, you know Catherine?”
Zobber had organized this gathering and intended for Drake to meet Catherine, but she didn’t anticipate him knowing Catherine.
Drake nodded and replied, “Catherine and I study in the same school. We’re both part of the esports club. I didn’t realize Catherine’s your boss.”
He had come today with Zobber to meet his idol. He knew Zobber’s boss, Sugar, as the youngest and most renowned hacker on the hacker leaderboard.
She was not just Zobber’s idol but his as well. Being a computer science student, he had someone he admired in the realm of computers.
He helped Zobber a few times, and Zobber promised to introduce him to her boss.
But he never imagined Catherine to be Zobber’s boss. It was incredibly shocking.
Branden considerately pulled out a chair for Catherine. After Catherine casually sat down and crossed her legs, she directed her gaze at Zobber and Withal, silently asking for an explanation.
Withal shrugged nonchalantly, indicating it was Zobber’s responsibility since she brought Drake here.
After hearing Drake’s explanation, Zobber realized he and Catherine were schoolmates. She exclaimed about their connection.
Zobber introduced Drake to Catherine as she pointed at him in excitement. She said, “Catherine, he is the computer talent I mentioned, my latest discovery. He’s not only good at games but also a whiz with computers. He’s been a huge help on this mission!”
Catherine had secluded herself in the lab, and Zobber knew her situation. Despite encountering difficulties on the mission, Zobber hadn’t dared to seek Catherine’s help.
However, while browsing the dark web for the mission, Zobber stumbled upon Drake.
After some conversation, Zobber recognized Drake’s superior skills in the field of computers. Zobber decided to recruit him. However, she was unaware of their mutual acquaintances.
Catherine glanced at Drake, who appeared somewhat excited when their eyes met.
He had always admired Catherine’s gaming skills and had never seen a female gamer as excellent as her.
However, now he knew of an even more impressive secret. Catherine was the rumored hacking genius, Sugar.
Drake gazed at Catherine deeply. His lips moved a few times before he could speak.
He asked, “Are you Sugar?”
Zobber immediately apologized to Catherine as soon as Drake asked his question.
She said, “Catherine, sorry. I had exposed your identity without your permission.”
Branden knew Catherine was a hacker so he wasn’t surprised at this revelation.
However, he didn’t appreciate the way Drake looked at Catherine. Gently, he reached out and pulled Catherine closer, subtly steering her toward himself.
Catherine leaned in and cooperated with his movement. As for the disclosure of her identity by Zobber, Catherine was ok with it.
She believed Zobber had observed before revealing the truth to Drake.
Several people knew her identity as Sugar, so it wasn’t significant to add Drake to the list.
She tilted her chin toward Drake and nodded graciously. “It’s me.”
Hearing Catherine’s admission, Drake couldn’t contain his excitement any longer and exclaimed, “This is amazing! I finally met you. It’s such a surprise!”
Others didn’t find Drake’s surprise strange after he learned Catherine’s identity.
After all, they had similar reactions when they found out.
Seeing the pleasant atmosphere in the room, Zobber cheered up and patted Drake on the shoulder. “Since we’re happy, let’s have a drink and chat!”
Seeing no objections from anyone, Zobber had the staff bring some alcohol.
Being young and acquainted, the people in the room were relaxed.
Zobber poured drinks for everyone and cheerfully invited them to join.
“Let’s do a toast first before chatting!” she exclaimed.
Zobber had a good tolerance for alcohol and didn’t fall short compared to Catherine. Catherine indulged in a few drinks with them since it was rare for them to gather together.
After a few rounds, Catherine suddenly looked at Zobber and casually asked, ” How did the mission go?”
Zobber assumed Catherine wouldn’t discuss business with Drake around. But to her surprise, Catherine brought it up.
Sensing Zobber’s hesitation, Drake quickly caught on and proactively said, “I’ll step out for a smoke.”
