where she grew up. It was a name that carried no ties to a family, no connection to a pa

comfortable townhouse, Khione

finally..." She clenched her fists in e

ning the National Bureau of Investigation's Counter Intelligence Department. The NBI had recrui

e was that she was also one of the most skilled hackers th

partment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had take

ir care, and from there, she had been sent to an orphanage. No on

ood within the orphanage's walls

e where her unusual tale

tioning computer, she had hacked into a government websi

intrigued by the sudden cyberattack, traced the source back to the orphanage. But

ge granted by her employers. However, her salary had been significantly cut, with the excuse that her educat

r the NBI Counter Intelligence Department for five years. It was a contract she had no choice but to fu

aily life unbearable outsi

anxiety

Simple interactions left her paralyzed. Meeting new people sent her into a state of panic. Her mind would go completely blank whe

ists had tried to help her. Even her job interview for the NBI had been a disaster. She had s

despite her failure, she had still been hired. Because the higher-ups wanted her

om

Khione stretched her a

wkward conversations. No judgmental s

red to stay inside. Other children had tried to befriend her, bu

th, the nun who had acted as her mother figure. She

ion on her screen. One of her coworkers had sent her a cha

know what my answer will be." She cons

ed her assigned tasks for the day. A large, bold w

vice to verify her identity. Within se

first assignment waiting in her queu

king the file open. Her screen was immediately fl

hell is this?" she muttered, c

ith vacant, lifeless expressions. Medical reports detailing sexual abuse. Do

eading. This was beyond horrifying. And then she

the names-and he

itic

nking of

owerful co

.. of course they're involved," s

und crime syndicate. This was s

ling this?" Khione leaned back in

ker. A specialist in cyber intelligence.

g me as bait?" The thought

a glass of water. She needed to think. But no matter how hard s

She remembered it now. Children had gone missing.

some were taken in by familie

urn to her desk. She couldn't let her emotions cloud her judgment. She opened a

nother thought cr

mem

ight

And the terrifying truth she had sp